Learning library
Buprenorphine Suboxone and Subutex
Comprehensive Guide to Subutex vs. Suboxone

Comprehensive Guide to Subutex vs. Suboxone

Suboxone and Subutex are two drugs specifically developed to treat opioid addiction. Find out the differences between these two drugs in this comprehensive guide.

Suboxone and Subutex are two drugs specifically developed to treat opioid addiction. They both contain buprenorphine, which belongs to a class of medications called partial mu-opioid agonists. Buprenorphine helps reduce cravings for opioids and prevents withdrawal symptoms. The main difference between Suboxone and Subutex is that Suboxone contains both buprenorphine and naloxone while Subutex contains only buprenorphine. 

While the two drugs have the same goal, they work in different ways, and some people prefer one over the other. Let's take a closer look at these two drugs and how they can help those struggling with opioid use disorder (OUD).

Comprehensive Guide on Subutex vs Suboxone

What is Subutex?

 Subutex, a brand name for buprenorphine (generic), is a medication used to help treat people suffering from opioid addiction. Buprenorphine is the active ingredient in Subutex, and it works by blocking the effects of other opioids. This prevents cravings and withdrawal symptoms from developing, making it easier for a person to quit using drugs altogether. However, because it is a Schedule III controlled substance, Subutex must be prescribed by a clinician and cannot be bought over the counter. 

Possible Subutex Side Effects

The commonly known side effects of Subutex include:

  • Headache
  • Stomach pain
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Constipation,
  • Warmth or tingly feeling
  • Chills
  • Increased sweating
  • Weakness
  • Back pain
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Sleep problems (insomnia)
  • Runny nose
  • Infection
  • Diarrhea
  • Indigestion
  • Nervousness
  • Drowsiness
  • Cough
  • Watery eyes

If you are experiencing any of these Subutex side effects, contact your provider for further assistance. 

📞
Request an Enrollment Call

Our team will call you to answer any questions you have or to help you schedule an appointment.

Request an enrollment call

What is Suboxone?

Suboxone is a medication used to help treat opioid addiction and minimize cravings. It is a combination of two medications, buprenorphine, and naloxone. Buprenorphine is a powerful opioid medication that helps to reduce cravings for heroin and other opioids. Naloxone is only activated in Suboxone if the medication is misused, such as through injection or inhalation, making it ineffective and helping to prevent overdoses.

Possible Suboxone Side Effects

Listed below are the side effects one might experience when taking Suboxone.

Common Side Effects of Suboxone

  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Numbness, redness, or pain in the mouth
  • Insomnia
  • Drowsiness
  • Stomachache
  • Vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Back pain
  • Chills 
  • Sweating
  • Depression
  • Increase in heart rate

Serious Side Effects of Suboxone

  • Fainting
  • Hallucinations
  • Confusion/agitation
  • Irregular dizziness
  • Severe allergic reactions
  • Irregular menstruation
  • Unusual bruising or bleeding
  • Liver damage
  • Severe withdrawal symptoms
  • Difficulty waking up

Long Term Side-Effects of Suboxone 

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Fatigue
  • Night sweats
  • Loss of libido

If you are experiencing any of these Suboxone side effects, contact your provider for further assistance.

🗓️
Book with Confidant

Book with a vetted Confidant Health provider

Book appointment

Differences Between Subutex and Suboxone

Administration

Subutex and Suboxone are both administered sublingually, which means they are placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve. Suboxone is in strip form while Subutex is in tablet form. This method of administration ensures that the drugs are absorbed quickly and begin working immediately. 

Dosage

Subutex is available in three dosage strengths

  • 0.4 mg
  • 2 mg
  • 8 mg

Suboxone sublingual films are available in four different strengths. These are:

  • 2 mg/0.5 mg
  • 4 mg/1 mg
  • 8 mg/2 mg
  • 12 mg/3 mg

Cost

The lowest GoodRx price for the most common version of buprenorphine is around $21.26, while the average retail price of Suboxone is  $153.77. However, the price can vary depending on the pharmacy. Some insurance plans may also cover the cost of each drug, so be sure to check with your carrier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Subutex discontinued?

The manufacturer discontinued Subutex in the United States in 2011. Several factors led to discontinuing Subutex in the US, including its high cost and concerns about misuse and diversion. However, it is still possible to find Subutex in other parts of the world, and generic forms are also available across America.

What are the benefits of Subutex?

Although Subutex can be addictive if it is misused, there are many benefits to taking the medication as prescribed. These benefits include reduced risk of overdose, prevention of disease transmission, and improved mental health. Speak to your provider at Confidant Health for more information.

What kind of opiate is Subutex?

Subutex belongs to a class of drugs called partial opioid agonists, which works by reducing the effects of other opioids and can help people detox from them. However, it is essential to note that Subutex should only be used under the supervision of a doctor, as it can be addictive itself.

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.

Book appointment
👍
Recommended reading
4 mins
read time
Getting Emergency Suboxone: 3 Ways To Obtain It Quickly
4 mins
read time
Suboxone Telemedicine: How it Works and Benefits
4 mins
read time
How to Find Medicaid-Accepting Suboxone Doctors Near You
4 mins
read time
4 Common Ways to Administer Naloxone
4 mins
read time
A Comprehensive Guide to Suboxone Use & Pregnancy
4 mins
read time
Comprehensive Guide to Subutex vs. Suboxone
4 mins
read time
Guide to Different Suboxone Pills
4 mins
read time
Sublocade vs Suboxone: Choosing the Right Option
4 mins
read time
Suboxone Sublingual Film: A Quick Guide
4 mins
read time
Alvogen's Suboxone: Frequently Asked Questions
4 mins
read time
Belbuca vs Suboxone: Comparing the Two
4 mins
read time
Buprenorphine and How It Works
4 mins
read time
Can Nurse Practitioners Prescribe Buprenorphine?
4 mins
read time
Buprenorphine as a Painkiller: What You Need to Know
4 mins
read time
Can Psychiatrists Prescribe Suboxone?
4 mins
read time
Can Nurse Practitioners Prescribe Buprenorphine for Pain?
4 mins
read time
Can Suboxone be Called into a Pharmacy?
4 mins
read time
Can Suboxone be Used to Treat Pain?
4 mins
read time
Suboxone Doctors and Prescribing Benzodiazepines
4 mins
read time
Can Suboxone Lead to Addiction? Understanding the Risks
4 mins
read time
Can Taking Suboxone Affect Breastfeeding?
4 mins
read time
Can You Overdose on Suboxone?
4 mins
read time
Is It Possible to Shoot Suboxone?
4 mins
read time
Is It Possible to Smoke Suboxone?
4 mins
read time
Can You Take Ibuprofen with Buprenorphine?
4 mins
read time
Can You Take Methadone with Buprenorphine?
4 mins
read time
Can You Take Seroquel and Suboxone Together?
4 mins
read time
Can You Take Tramadol with Suboxone?
4 mins
read time
Can You Take Xanax with Suboxone?
4 mins
read time
A Guide to Suboxone Prescriptions
4 mins
read time
Dealing with Suboxone Withdrawal: Symptoms and Remedies
4 mins
read time
Do Employers Test for Buprenorphine?
4 mins
read time
If Suboxone Dissolves, Can you Swallow it?
4 mins
read time
Does Suboxone Block Methadone?
4 mins
read time
Does buprenorphine show up as an opiate?
4 mins
read time
Suboxone and Constipation: Understanding the Link
4 mins
read time
Suboxone and Weight Gain: Is There a Connection?
4 mins
read time
Does Suboxone Cause a High?
4 mins
read time
Suboxone and Sleepiness: What You Need to Know
4 mins
read time
Gabapentin & Suboxone: Can You Take Them Together?
4 mins
read time
Generic Suboxone: Uses, Forms and More
4 mins
read time
How and Where to Purchase Suboxone Online
4 mins
read time
How does buprenorphine actually work?
4 mins
read time
How does Suboxone affect your mood?
4 mins
read time
How is buprenorphine taken?
4 mins
read time
How Long Does It Take for Suboxone to Kick In?
4 mins
read time
How Long Does Suboxone Block Opiates?
5 mins
read time
How Long Does Suboxone Stay in Your System?
4 mins
read time
How long should you be on Suboxone?
4 mins
read time
How Long Should You Be Taking Suboxone For?
4 mins
read time
How the Suboxone Spit Method Works
4 mins
read time
Getting Suboxone: A Quick Guide
4 mins
read time
How to Maximize Suboxone Absorption
4 mins
read time
How To Successfully Taper Off Suboxone
4 mins
read time
Is Belbuca the same as Suboxone?
4 mins
read time
Is Buprenorphine a Stimulant?
4 mins
read time
Is Buprenorphine an Opiate?
4 mins
read time
Effectiveness of Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain
4 mins
read time
FDA Approval of Buprenorphine for Pain Management
4 mins
read time
Buprenorphine vs Suboxone: Understanding the Distinction
4 mins
read time
Buprenorphine for Depression: Is it FDA Approved?
4 mins
read time
Combining Klonopin or Lorazepam with Suboxone: Is It Safe?
4 mins
read time
Mixing Suboxone and Kratom: Risks and Precautions
4 mins
read time
Liver Safety and Suboxone Use: What You Need to Know
4 mins
read time
Long-term Use of Suboxone: Risks and Benefits
4 mins
read time
Methadone vs Buprenorphine: Similarities and Differences
4 mins
read time
Methadone vs Suboxone: Comparison and Contrast
4 mins
read time
Managing Sexual Side Effects of Suboxone
4 mins
read time
Online Suboxone Doctors and Their Role
4 mins
read time
Treatment Outcomes with Buprenorphine: What to Expect
4 mins
read time
Quick Guide to Getting Generic Suboxone
4 mins
read time
Possible Side Effects of Buprenorphine Use
4 mins
read time
Signs that Your Suboxone Dose May Need Adjusting
4 mins
read time
Patient Education for Suboxone (Buprenorphine/Naloxone)
4 mins
read time
Suboxone Dosage: A Guide to Safe and Effective Use
4 mins
read time
Suboxone Doses: A Chart for Easy Reference
4 mins
read time
Suboxone Ingredients: A Comprehensive Guide
4 mins
read time
Suboxone vs. Vivitrol: Uses, Forms, and More
4 mins
read time
The Beginner's Guide to Suboxone Laws
4 mins
read time
Withdrawal Symptoms of Suboxone: What to Expect
4 mins
read time
What Do Generic Suboxone Strips Look Like?
4 mins
read time
Identifying Each Form of Suboxone
4 mins
read time
What Happens When Suboxone and Alcohol Mix?
4 mins
read time
Swallowing Suboxone: What to Know
4 mins
read time
Daily Maximum Dosage of Suboxone: What You Need to Know
4 mins
read time
Suboxone and Medications: What Not to Take Together
4 mins
read time
What Schedule Drug is Suboxone Classified As? Understanding the Regulations
4 mins
read time
Buprenorphine Schedule and Regulations
4 mins
read time
What to Consider When Choosing a Suboxone Doctor
4 mins
read time
What to Know About Suboxone Shots
4 mins
read time
When Can You Take Subutex?
4 mins
read time
When to Take Suboxone: A Complete Guide
4 mins
read time
Where to Get Coupons for Suboxone
4 mins
read time
Where Can I Find Suboxone Treatment Centers Near Me?
4 mins
read time
Suboxone's Receptor Targets: A Comprehensive Overview
4 mins
read time
White Suboxone Pill: A Complete Guide
4 mins
read time
Why is Naloxone Added to Buprenorphine?
4 mins
read time
Why is Buprenorphine Not Widely Available?
4 mins
read time
Zubsolv vs. Suboxone: A Brief Comparison Guide
Confidant mobile app screens
Get immediate access to the care you need today

Scan the QR code below to download the app.

QR code to download the app
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play