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Understanding Suboxone & Methadone
What Are Suboxone and Methadone Used For?
Both Methadone and Suboxone are used as medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for those recovering from opioid addiction, opioid use disorder (OUD), and opioid abuse. They are used to help ease withdrawal symptoms during treatment and detox, which can be uncomfortable and even dangerous. What makes Methadone and Suboxone valuable in treatment is how they block the high that makes opioids addictive.
As Infinite Recovery utilizes MAT as part of our opioid addiction treatment program, it’s important to understand the medications you may use in treatment for yourself or a loved one.
What Are the Main Differences Between These Medications?
The main key differences between Methadone and Suboxone are who they are designed to help, their safety profile, what side effects they can cause, and how accessible they are.
Suboxone is designed to best help clients with a mild to moderate opioid addiction or substance use disorder. It has a lower risk of overdose, but can cause respiratory depression when combined with alcohol or benzodiazepines. A doctor can prescribe Suboxone, allowing for treatment at home. Some common side effects include constipation, insomnia, headache, and nausea.
Methadone is best for clients with a long-term or severe opioid addiction or substance use disorder. As a full opioid agonist, Methadone requires closer supervision compared to Suboxone. Methadone is only dispensed at certified opioid treatment programs (OTPs), and beginning treatment requires daily methadone clinic visits. Some side effects include sweating, constipation, drowsiness, dizziness, and the potential for dependence. Methadone is part of a group of synthetic opioid painkillers.
Are They Used in Similar Ways?
Methadone and Suboxone are similar in that they are used in medication-assisted treatment for opioid substance abuse and addiction. They are designed to reduce withdrawal symptoms and block the high people feel when using opioids.
However, they are both designed to treat different severities of addictions. A mental health care provider may prescribe one or the other during an individual’s treatment program.
Is One More Effective for Different Patient Needs?
Yes. Methadone is best for those with a long-term or severe opioid addiction. Suboxone is best for those with a mild or moderate opioid addiction.
What Is Suboxone?
Suboxone is the brand name of a fixed-dose combination of the medications buprenorphine and naloxone. This buprenorphine/naloxone combination has been specially designed to help people recover from opioid use disorder and reduce the risk of overdose on full-agonist opioids, such as fentanyl. Suboxone is usually taken as a sublingual film or tablet, which is held under the tongue or next to the cheek until dissolved.
What Is the Drug Class of Suboxone?
Suboxone is classified as a Schedule III controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act. It may be prescribed by a doctor or other healthcare professionals for outpatient use.
How Does Suboxone Work to Treat Opioid Dependence?
Suboxone is a combination drug, with each active ingredient designed to aid in opioid addiction treatment.
Buprenorphine is an opiate and a partial opioid agonist. This means it still attaches to the brain’s opioid receptors like any other opioid. However, it does not produce that same level of high as other opioids. It’s designed so that it reduces cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and the risk of dependence and misuse.
Naloxone is an opioid antagonist, which means it blocks the effects of opioids. This is achieved by binding to opioid receptors more effectively than a full-antagonist opioid while not activating the receptors at the same time. Naloxone is used as a deterrent due to the risk of misuse. When attempting to abuse Suboxone by injection, the naloxone will trigger withdrawal symptoms instead of a high.
Is It Only Used for Opioid Addiction?
Suboxone is FDA-approved only for the treatment of OUD and opioid addiction.
How Does It Help With Withdrawal Symptoms?
Suboxone helps those struggling with opioid withdrawal by using buprenorphine to mimic the effects that opioid drugs produce. This effect is not as powerful as a prescription opioid, such as Oxycodone. The body will think it’s getting the opioid it craves, allowing clients to taper off use in detox and treatment without suffering from crippling withdrawal symptoms.
Suboxone has a lower risk of overdose and misuse due to its ceiling effect. However, Suboxone must be taken responsibly under the guidance of a medical or mental health care provider for safety and effectiveness.
Can It Be Used for Other Conditions?
Suboxone, as a combination drug, is only used to treat opioid and opiate withdrawal and prevent overdose. Buprenorphine, one active ingredient, can also be used to treat pain, while naloxone is used to reverse an opioid overdose.
What Are the Common Dosages and Treatment Timelines?
The exact dosage for Suboxone is calculated depending on whether the client is using short or long-acting opioids. An average maintenance dosage during treatment is 4 mg/1 mg to 24 mg/6 mg per day, depending on the client’s individual needs.
Suboxone use should gradually taper once treatment is completed to prevent symptoms of withdrawal. How long a person will need Suboxone depends on their treatment plan, with the average being between six months and one year.
What Is Methadone?
Methadone (sold under the brand names Dolophine and Methadose) is an opioid used for treating chronic pain. However, it has found another use in methadone treatment for sobriety maintenance and/or withdrawal management.
Methadone is dispensed (usually as a liquid) under the supervision of a healthcare professional at treatment facilities or Methadone clinics. Clients must take a daily dose of Methadone to be effective.
Methadone has a higher risk of misuse or dependence due to its stronger effects compared to Suboxone.
What Is the Drug Class of Methadone?
Methadone is a Schedule II drug under the Controlled Substances Act. Taking Methadone must be done under the supervision of healthcare professionals. However, it’s possible to receive take-home doses should a client stabilize enough.
How Does Methadone Work to Treat Opioid Dependence?
Methadone is a long-acting full opioid agonist. As such, it provides strong relief from withdrawal symptoms while blocking the high you would get from other opioids. Because of these qualities, it’s often used in maintaining sobriety or as part of initial withdrawal and craving management.
Is It Only for Opioid Dependence?
No. Sometimes, Methadone is used for the treatment of chronic pain.
How Does It Help With Withdrawal Symptoms?
Methadone gives long-term relief, which is needed for clients with long and severe addictions. It makes clients less likely to feel uncomfortable or in pain due to withdrawal symptoms, which can prevent relapse and encourage treatment retention.
Can It Be Used for Other Conditions?
Methadone is FDA-approved only to treat OUD and provide pain relief.
What Are Common Dosages and Treatment Timelines?
The recommended minimal duration of Methadone treatment is about 12 months. Because opioid dependence is a disorder with a high risk of relapse, clients may use Methadone for years. Exact dosages vary depending on needs, but dosages will eventually taper off as the client proceeds in recovery.
Side Effects of Suboxone vs Methadone
What Are the Side Effects of Suboxone?
Common Suboxone side effects can include:
- Excessive sweating
- Head and body aches
- Insomnia
- Swelling in the lower extremities
- Constipation
- Nausea or vomiting
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Impaired coordination
These side effects can specifically occur when taking Suboxone under the tongue or next to the cheek:
- Numbness of the mouth, tongue, or lips
- Burning sensation in the mouth or lips
- Inflammation or redness in the lining of the mouth
What Are the Side Effects of Methadone?
Common Methadone side effects can include:
- Itchy skin
- Constipation
- Nausea or vomiting
- Restlessness
- Excessive sweating
- Changes in sleep and appetite patterns
- Head and stomach pain
- Dry mouth
- Weight gain
- Vision problems
- Mood changes
- Slow breathing
How Common Are Serious Side Effects?
Serious side effects are rare. The risks of serious side effects can be reduced by:
- Avoiding alcohol and other drugs while taking Methadone or Suboxone
- Receiving regular monitoring by a healthcare provider
- Telling your doctor about any underlying health issues
Serious side effects of Methadone can include:
- Trouble breathing
- Hives or a rash
- Swollen face, tongue, lips, or throat
- Trouble breathing
- Chest pain or rapid heartbeat
- Confusion
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Trouble swallowing or a hoarse voice
- Severe drowsiness
- Unusual menstrual periods
Suboxone, in rare cases, can cause dental decay or tooth loss. People using Suboxone should be checked by a dentist during treatment to catch tooth issues early.
Risks and Misuse of Suboxone vs Methadone
Is Suboxone a Habit-Forming Drug?
When used correctly, Suboxone dependence and addiction are very rare. However, suboxone addiction and misuse can occur when used outside treatment settings. To prevent dependence, always use Suboxone exactly as directed by your doctor.
Are There Withdrawal Symptoms Associated With Suboxone?
When paired with a proper tapering schedule, Suboxone withdrawal symptoms are minimal, but can still occur. Some withdrawal symptoms can include:
- Muscle aches and pains
- Stomach cramps or diarrhea
- Runny nose
- Restlessness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Anxiety
- Chills
- Sweating
- Teary eyes
- Tremors or Twitching
- Depression
Is Methadone a Habit-Forming Drug?
Methadone can be habit-forming if misused or taken incorrectly. A doctor will work closely with you to ensure that you are taking the correct dosage at the proper times to prevent dependence. With these precautions, dependence is rare, but still possible.
Are There Withdrawal Symptoms Associated With Methadone?
Methadone can cause withdrawal symptoms, including post-acute or protracted withdrawal. When tapered correctly, these symptoms can be mild or reduced in severity. However, withdrawal symptoms may still occur. Some symptoms can include:
- Flu-like symptoms
- Agitation
- Restlessness or anxiety
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Low stress tolerance
- Muscle and joint pain
- Low energy and trouble sleeping
- High blood pressure
- Runny nose
- Inability to feel pleasure
- Depression
- Memory or concentration problems
Can You Take Methadone and Suboxone Together?
You should never take Methadone and Suboxone together, as it can cause overdose or precipitated withdrawal. However, you can transition from one medication to another.
Benefits of Suboxone vs Methadone
How Do They Compare in Effectiveness?
Both Suboxone and Methadone are part of an effective treatment plan for opioid addiction and abuse. They do differ in effectiveness depending on how severe the addiction is. Suboxone is best for short-term, mild, or moderate addictions, while Methadone is best for long-term or severe addictions.
What Are the Success Rates?
Exact numbers vary, but people who utilize Suboxone or Methadone have a higher rate of successful recovery and sobriety compared to people who don’t. When combined with a personalized treatment plan, OUD treatment is effective in preventing death and promoting sobriety.
Are There Benefits Related to Safety or Side Effects?
Suboxone is considered safer than Methadone, due to its milder side effects and lower risk of dependence. As a result, Suboxone is often prescribed first, with Methadone used for the most serious of addictions.
Considering Suboxone or Methadone
How Do I Know If These Medications Are Right for Me?
The best way to be sure of your treatment options is to speak with a healthcare professional specialized in opioid addiction treatment. Working closely with your doctor or provider will ensure you get the correct medicine and dosage you need to complete opioid addiction treatment.
What Factors Should I Consider?
There are several factors you should consider before utilizing Suboxone or Methadone.
- Is it recommended by your healthcare provider?
- Can you commit to or accept help with taking your daily medication or a daily visit to a clinic?
- How severe is your addiction?
- What type of opioids are you using, and for how long?
- Do you have allergies to certain medications?
- Are you experiencing opioid withdrawal symptoms and cravings that interfere with your ability to focus on treatment?
- Do you have underlying health problems that may prevent you from being able to use MAT?
This information is important, not just to help you decide to utilize MAT, but to help your doctor prescribe the correct medication and dosage to help you.
How Does Individual Health Affect the Choice?
Your health can play a significant role in determining which medications are safe for you to use. For example, you should not take Methadone if you have heart or lung disease. Suboxone and Methadone are also medications that can react badly when mixed with other prescription or OTC medications. Never take Methadone or Suboxone without first speaking with a doctor.
Consulting a Health Professional
When Should I Speak to a Healthcare Provider?
You should always get medical advice from a licensed healthcare professional before receiving any type of treatment. Their expertise can prevent negative side effects and dependence, as both Suboxone and Methadone are controlled substances. If MAT is recommended to you, or you feel as though MAT will help you, speak to your doctor.
What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor?
A few questions you can ask your doctor include:
- What are my treatment options?
- How can MAT help me?
- Do I need this treatment to be successful?
- What is my role in treatment?
- How long will this treatment last for me?
- Will I experience withdrawal?
- What dosage can I expect?
- How do you decide which dosage is right for me?
- What can put my treatment at risk, and how do I avoid them?
- Are my existing prescriptions/OTC medications safe to take with this one?
How Can Professional Guidance Improve Treatment Outcomes?
Having professional guidance keeps you safe and can prevent common pitfalls that can set back your recovery. Professional healthcare workers will collaborate with your mental health care team to create a comprehensive treatment plan for the best chance of success. At Infinite Recovery, you can trust that our staff of trained medical and mental health care professionals will offer professional guidance during treatment.
FAQs About Suboxone vs Methadone
Is Suboxone being discontinued?
Suboxone is not being discontinued and is still available through a healthcare provider.
Why would someone switch from Suboxone to Methadone?
Sometimes, Suboxone is not enough to help someone recover from OUD. There is no shame in needing Methadone if Suboxone is ineffective for you. In the case in which you need to switch, your healthcare provider can help you do so with minimal risk.
Is Suboxone preferred?
In most cases, a healthcare professional will try the lowest dose or strength of medication first to treat a condition as a safety precaution. As a result, Suboxone is usually preferred in low or moderate addiction cases due to its lower risk of dependency or misuse.
How effective are medications in treating opioid use disorder?
MAT is highly effective in helping you or a loved one recover from OUD due to its ability to help:
- Prevent overdose or relapse
- Encourage treatment retention
- Prevent risky behavior, such as sharing needles
Can Benadryl show up as Methadone?
Yes, Benadryl use can cause a false positive for Methadone during urine screenings.
When undergoing treatment for opioid addiction, Suboxone and Methadone may be used as part of that treatment process. However, this is only one aspect of the opioid addiction treatment process. Infinite Recovery is a mental health care and addiction treatment facility located in Texas that is dedicated to helping you and your loved ones recover from addiction. A combination of quality treatment, holistic modalities, caring staff, and a full continuum of care philosophy ensures that you and your loved ones have the best addiction treatment possible. If you or a loved one is struggling with opioid addiction, don’t wait. Reach out to Infinite Recovery today at (844) 928-1502 to begin your healing journey.
