Suboxone is a medication used in the treatment of opioid addiction. It contains buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, which means it activates opioid receptors in the brain but to a much lesser degree than full agonists like heroin or methadone. This helps to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms without producing the same high. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that blocks the effects of opioids and is included to prevent misuse of the medication by injection.

Brixadi is a brand name for a long-acting injectable form of buprenorphine used to treat opioid use disorder. Brixadi injections are meant to control symptoms of withdrawal and minimize cravings for opioids like heroin or fentanyl. Brixadi can be given weekly or monthly.

Sublocade is a brand name for a long-acting injectable form of buprenorphine used to treat opioid use disorder.  Sublocade injections are meant to control symptoms of withdrawal and minimize cravings for opioids like heroin or fentanyl. Sublocade is generally given monthly.

Vivitrol is a long-acting injectable form of naltrexone, a medication that binds to and blocks certain receptors in the brain responsible for some of the rewarding and reinforcing effects of drugs and alcohol. It is administered as a monthly injection and replaces the need for daily dosing of oral naltrexone. Naltrexone, the active ingredient in Vivitrol, is an opioid antagonist with the highest affinity for the mu opioid receptor. It blocks the effects of exogenous opioids without producing any of the effects of opioids and reduces cravings for opioids and alcohol.

Subutex is a brand name for buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). Buprenorphine works by binding tightly to opioid receptors in the brain, which helps to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms without producing the same high as other opioids. This makes it effective for long-term maintenance therapy for individuals recovering from opioid addiction. Due to the abuse and diversion risk of Subutex, it is highly regulated by the DEA and only prescribed in rare situations where patients have a documented allergy to naloxone (contained in Suboxone). Many insurance plans will not cover Subutex for these reasons also. 

Everyone responds to medication differently, but most patients experience little to no side effects. Side effects also differ depending on the medication you are prescribed, and your provider and/or pharmacist will discuss them with you.

Precipitated withdrawal is common when opioid users take a full dose of buprenorphine too soon after their last use of opioids. Ideal Option's low dose and high dose initiation protocols are designed to prevent precipitated withdrawal for patients who cannot abstain from opioids long enough to follow a conventional dosing program.

Ideal Option does not dispense or prescribe methadone. However, we can help methadone patients transition safely to buprenorphine.

Buprenorphine binds to and partially activates opioid receptors. This partial activation means it is less likely to cause dangerous side effects and/or the euphoria that is caused by opioids that fully activate opioid receptors.  Buprenorphine activates these receptors just enough to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and prevent cravings, which helps people feel normal.

Methadone binds to and fully activates opioid receptors. This full activation means it is more dangerous and more likely to cause euphoria. However, there are many patients who are good candidates for methadone, such as extremely heavy opioid users. It is important to also understand that buprenorphine is typically a prescribed medication that is picked up at a pharmacy whereas methadone is often dispensed in daily doses from a clinic.

Yes, Ideal Option can help methadone patients transition safely to buprenorphine (Suboxone).

How long you stay on medication-assisted treatment is dependent on your unique situation and history of drug use. While some of our patients can taper off their medication and maintain a stable long-term recovery, others find they need to stay on medication indefinitely. Addiction is a chronic disease of the brain that is treatable, but unfortunately, not curable. Just as many people with diabetes will need insulin for the rest of their lives, many people with substance use disorder will need medication for the rest of their lives as well.

Your provider will discuss a discontinuation plan with you and help you through the process for your safety. The process involves reducing the daily sublingual dose by no more than 10% per and holding that dose for at least two weeks to allow for adaptation. When ready to completely discontinue, a short course of opioid withdrawal medications can be provided, and follow-up visits will be scheduled to assess stability and risk of return to opioid use.