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Suboxone vs. Subutex

Are Suboxone and Subutex the Same Thing?

Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone) and Subutex (buprenorphine) contain an opioid (narcotic) medications used in the maintenance treatment of opioid addiction.

The brand name Subutex is discontinued, but generic versions may be available.

Side effects of Suboxone and Subutex that are similar include headache, numbness or tingling, drowsiness, sleep problems (insomnia), stomach pain, vomiting, and constipation.

Side effects of Suboxone that are different from Subutex include mouth numbness, mouth redness, mouth pain, dizziness, feeling drunk, and trouble concentrating.

Side effects of Subutex that are different from Suboxone include nausea, chills, increased sweating, weakness, back pain, anxiety, depression, runny nose, infection, diarrhea, indigestion, nervousness, cough, and watery eyes.

Both Suboxone and Subutex may interact with alcohol and other narcotic medications, benzodiazepine sedatives, and other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing (sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, tranquilizers, antidepressants, and antipsychotic medicines).

Subutex may also interact with conivaptan, imatinib, isoniazid, nefazodone, antibiotics, antifungals, heart or blood pressure medications, and HIV/AIDS medicines.

Do not stop using Suboxone or Subutex suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Suboxone?

Common side effects of Suboxone include:

  • mouth numbness,
  • mouth redness,
  • mouth pain,
  • headache,
  • dizziness,
  • numbness or tingling,
  • drowsiness,
  • sleep problems (insomnia),
  • stomach pain,
  • vomiting,
  • constipation,
  • feeling drunk, or
  • trouble concentrating.

Get medical help right away if you have serious side effects of Suboxone including:

  • fainting,
  • fast or irregular heartbeat,
  • severe dizziness,
  • mental/mood changes (such as agitation, confusion, hallucinations),
  • slow or shallow breathing,
  • unusual drowsiness, or
  • difficulty waking up.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Subutex?

Common 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.

What Is Suboxone?

Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone) is a combination of two opioid receptor antagonists used in the maintenance treatment of opioid addiction.

What Is Subutex?

Subutex (buprenorphine) is an opioid (narcotic) medication used to treat narcotic addiction. The brand name Subutex is discontinued, but generic versions may be available.Subutex may interact with other narcotics, sedatives, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, or other medicines that can make you sleepy or slow your breathing, conivaptan, imatinib, isoniazid, nefazodone, antibiotics, antifungals, heart or blood pressure medications, or HIV/AIDS medicines. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

 

What Drugs Interact With Suboxone?

Suboxone may interact with other drugs including:

  • benzodiazepines,
  • erythromycin,
  • rifampin, and
  • HIV protease inhibitors

    • Buprenorphine and naloxone may dangerously increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness.

    What Drugs Interact With Subutex?

    Subutex may interact with isoniazid, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants, warfarin, metronidazole, theophylline, phenytoin, or lithium. Tell your doctor all medications you are taking. During pregnancy, Subutex should be used only when prescribed.

     

    How Should Suboxone Be Taken?

    Suboxone is intended for sublingual administration and is available in two dosage strengths:

    • 2 mg buprenorphine with 0.5 mg naloxone, and
    • 8 mg buprenorphine with 2 mg naloxone

    How Should Subutex Be Taken?

    Subutex sublingual tablet is administered sublingually as a single daily dose.