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Suboxone Doses: A Chart for Easy Reference

Suboxone Doses: A Chart for Easy Reference

To get help with Suboxone dosing for opioid maintenance, reach out to the online Suboxone doctors at Confidant Health.

Suboxone medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is approved by the FDA to help people manage opioid dependence. If you are looking for help for opioid use disorder (OUD), you should always consult with your physician or the online Suboxone doctors at Confidant Health to find a solution that is right for you. Suboxone combines buprenorphine and naloxone to help curb cravings and alleviate withdrawal symptoms. MAT is not one-size-fits-all, so you must receive the proper Suboxone dosage from your provider to effectively manage your symptoms. This guide to Suboxone doses is intended for informational purposes only, so be sure to consult with your provider or an online Suboxone clinic before beginning a Suboxone regimen. 

To get help with Suboxone dosing for opioid maintenance, reach out to the online Suboxone doctors at Confidant Health. Our highly competent team can provide you with convenient online Suboxone care right from the comfort of your home. 

Suboxone Dosage Forms and Strength

The typical Suboxone composition is four parts buprenorphine to one part naloxone. The medication comes in various strengths but always maintains this 4:1 ratio. This composition also applies to generic Suboxone, but not other brands of buprenorphine and naloxone.

The available strengths of Suboxone depend on the form prescribed by your provider, either films or tablets. Below is a guide to each form, its strength, and its use in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid dependence.

Suboxone Film 2 mg/0.5 mg

Induction

The lowest strength of Suboxone is typically used during induction to help your provider observe how you respond to treatment. The films are intended to be used whole, so this small dosage allows your provider to gradually increase your dosage as necessary. On day one, you may start with one 2 mg/0.5 mg film. After an hour or two, your provider will assess you and may recommend another dose. From there, they will continue to evaluate your response to the treatment and determine the need for additional Suboxone doses. The recommended Suboxone dosage during induction is up to 8 mg/2 mg on the first day and up to 16 mg /4 mg on the second day.

Maintenance

The maintenance phase begins after the induction and stabilization phases are complete, which usually last one to two days. Your provider will continue to monitor your progress and adjust the dosage as needed. Suboxone dosage during maintenance is typically between 4 mg/1 mg to 24 mg/6 mg daily. This is often a single daily dose, so if you are prescribed the 2 mg/0.5 mg film, you would need to use more than one film at a time.

Method of Administration

Suboxone film should be placed under your tongue and allowed to dissolve fully. If more than one film is needed, you may place up to two films under your tongue, one on each side of your mouth. For three or more films, you will need to wait for the first two films to dissolve before placing additional films under your tongue. Try to be still as the film dissolves, and avoid speaking, eating, or drinking while the film is in your mouth.

Suboxone Film 4 mg/1 mg

Induction

Since your provider will start you off on a low dose of Suboxone during the first day, the 4 mg/1 mg films may be incorporated into your treatment during this phase. They may have you begin with a 4 mg/1 mg film and continue adding doses as needed to keep symptoms under control. 

Maintenance

The 4 mg/1 mg Suboxone film may be part of your long-term Suboxone maintenance treatment. Your provider will continue to adjust your dosage as necessary, but you will generally take one daily dose during this phase. A 4 mg/1 mg is typically the lowest recommended dosage for maintenance.

Method of Administration

During induction, Suboxone should be dissolved under the tongue. Once you have reached the maintenance phase, you may continue to dissolve the film under the tongue or place it between your gums and cheek.

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Suboxone Film 8 mg/2 mg

Induction

The most common daily recommended dose of Suboxone during the early part of treatment is 8 mg/2 mg. Since films should be used whole, you will likely begin with multiple doses of the 2 mg/0.5 mg films or tablets on the first day. Depending on your withdrawal symptoms and cravings, your provider may move you up to one or two doses of the 8 mg/2 mg film by the second or third day. 

Maintenance

The maintenance phase generally involves one daily dose of Suboxone, usually between 4 mg/1 mg to 24 mg/6 mg. Depending on your needs, the 8 mg/ 2 mg film may be a part of your maintenance phase. 

Method of Administration

During induction, allow the film to dissolve under your tongue. You may dissolve up to two films simultaneously, one on each side of your mouth. In the maintenance phase, you can also dissolve the film between your gums and cheek.

Suboxone Film 12 mg/3 mg

Induction

Since the recommended Suboxone dose on day one is up to 8 mg/2 mg, you may not use the 12 mg/3 mg film on the first day. By day two, the recommended dose may increase up to 16 mg/4 mg, so your provider may prescribe this strength if needed to manage withdrawal symptoms. 

Maintenance

The maintenance phase usually includes a single daily dose of up to 24 mg/6 mg of Suboxone. If your symptoms are more severe, the 12 mg/3 mg film may be a part of your maintenance treatment.

Method of Administration

Allow the film to dissolve under your tongue fully. This is the highest Suboxone strength available, so you may need to dissolve two films side by side if your provider determines the need for a single daily dose higher than 12 mg/3 mg.

Suboxone Tablet 2 mg/0.5 mg

Induction

This is the lowest strength of Suboxone available, so it is frequently used at the beginning of Suboxone treatment as your provider evaluates you closely to determine the ideal dosage. Your provider may start you with a 2 mg/0.5 mg dose and repeat this dosage every hour or two until you reach a total of 8 mg/2 mg of Suboxone for day one. 

Maintenance

The maintenance phase usually includes daily doses starting at 4 mg/1 mg, so the 2 mg/0.5 mg tablet may not play as much of a role in your maintenance treatment. Your provider may prescribe them when gradually tapering off your dosage as treatment goes on to minimize withdrawal symptoms and cravings. 

Method of Administration

Place the Suboxone tablet under your tongue and allow it to dissolve fully. Refrain from moving your mouth during this time. You may place up to two tablets under your tongue at one time. 

Suboxone Tablet 8 mg/2 mg

Induction

Although the induction phase usually includes up to 8 mg/2 mg of Suboxone on the first day, this is typically done through multiple 2 mg/0.5 mg doses spaced apart. Suboxone tablets must be administered whole, so your provider may not prescribe this higher strength until you reach day two or three. By the second day, you may be given one or two 8 mg/2 mg Suboxone tablets daily to control withdrawal symptoms.

Maintenance

The recommended daily dose of Suboxone during maintenance is between 4 mg/1 mg and 24 mg/6 mg, with a target dosage of 16 mg/4 mg. Your provider may have you take two or more 8 mg/2 mg tablets daily to keep symptoms at bay.

Method of Administration

Allow Suboxone tablets to dissolve under the tongue fully. You may place up to two tablets under your tongue at one time as directed by your provider.

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Suboxone Dosage FAQs

What strengths does Suboxone come in?

Suboxone, the brand name of the medication consisting of a 4:1 ratio of buprenorphine to naloxone, is available in four different strengths:

  • 2 mg buprenorphine to 0.5 mg naloxone
  • 4 mg buprenorphine to 1 mg naloxone
  • 8 mg buprenorphine to 2 mg naloxone
  • 12 mg buprenorphine to 3 mg naloxone

Suboxone films are available in all four of the above strengths, while the tablets are only available in the 2 mg/0.5 mg and 8 mg/2 mg strengths. 

Other brand names of buprenorphine and naloxone medications, such as Cassipa, Zubsolv, and Bunavail, come in different strengths than Suboxone and its generic version. The ratio of buprenorphine to naloxone may also differ. 

What is the highest mg of Suboxone?

The highest strength of Suboxone currently available is the 12 mg/3 mg film. Cassipa, another brand of buprenorphine and naloxone, comes in 16 mg/4 mg films.

Is 4mg of Suboxone a lot?

A 4 mg/1 mg Suboxone film is the second lowest Suboxone dose. It is the lowest recommended dosage for the maintenance phase of medication-assisted treatment (MAT), with the highest dose being 24 mg/6 mg. 

Is there a 12-milligram Suboxone?

Yes, Suboxone is available as a 12 mg/3 mg sublingual film. 

Get Help with Suboxone Dosage from Confidant Health’s Online Suboxone Clinic

Finding the correct Suboxone dosage requires the expertise of a trained Suboxone provider, like those at Confidant Health’s online Suboxone clinic. Reach out to us today to schedule an intake assessment, so we can help you overcome opioid use disorder with the appropriate Suboxone dosage for your individual needs.

This article has been medically reviewed by
Erin Hillers
Erin Hillers
Erin Hillers
Nurse Practitioner

Erin is a Nurse Practitioner with 8 years of experience in midwifery and women's health. She has spent the past 5 years specializing in the treatment of opioid and alcohol use disorders.

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