Suboxone and Subutex, are drugs that both were approved in 2002 by the FDA. These drugs have been developed for opiate addiction treatment.

Before 2000 when the Drug Addiction Treatment Act was passed, the main medication used to treat opiate medication was methadone. However, also in 2000, buprenorphine was approved by the law, and it could be prescribed by physicians that have been trained and certified to treat opioid addiction by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment.

What Is the Difference Between Subutex and Suboxone?

Difference Between Subutex and Suboxone in Treating AddictionThere are various differences when it comes to Subutex vs. Suboxone. The primary difference is that Suboxone contains both naloxone and buprenorphine, while Subutex contains buprenorphine only. While methadone is considered a Schedule II substance, buprenorphine is considered a Schedule III substance, indicating it is a drug that has a lower potential for abuse.

As a result, buprenorphine is usually considered to be a safer medication for opiate treatment than methadone. Among people aged 12 or older in 2020, 3.4% (or 9.5 million people) misused opioids in the past year. (2020 NSDUH). For this reason, amongst others, safety when it comes to prescribed medications is essential to focus on.

Even though both drugs were developed around similar times, Subutex was composed first and while it was discovered to be relatively effective in opiate addiction treatment, there will still be a tendency for the drug to be abused. Many individuals sought to inject the drug intravenously to acquire the high they became accustomed to with prescription painkillers or heroin.

Oftentimes, they succeeded in accomplishing their need, but it brought greater awareness to developing another drug addiction to address the issue of Suboxone. In Suboxone, naloxone was combined with the drug buprenorphine to discourage abuse of the medication.

The drug naloxone is also an opioid antagonist, which means that it blocks the effects of opioids at the receptor sites. If an individual injects Suboxone, that same individual will go into a precipitated withdrawal immediately, which can be very troublesome.

Subutex vs. Suboxone

Another main difference between Subutex vs. Suboxone is regarding the abuse potential. Due to the presence of the drug naloxone, Suboxone might be used less likely. As a result, this might be the most ideal choice for individuals struggling with severe addictions or even individuals who had attended treatment before and then relapsed.

It’s important to understand that Subutex and Suboxone should both be utilized as a part of a greater addiction treatment program. Medication by itself doesn’t add up to addiction treatment. Those methods of addiction treatment should be utilized alongside comprehensive therapy that can address the root causes that led the patients to their initial substance abuse.

It isn’t enough to address the physical aspect of opiate addiction, as Suboxone and Subutex do. Overall, the psychological aspects of addiction must be dealt with through therapy. This ensures a patient’s sustained recovery from the disease.

The Similarities Between Subutex vs. Suboxone 

Subutex and Suboxone are both brand names. Similar to any medication, these drugs can have potential side effects such as:

  • Constipation
  • Drowsiness
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea

When comparing Subutex vs. Suboxone, there isn’t a great deal of evidence suggesting that either medication is more effective when it comes to treating opiate addiction. If both of the medications are utilized according to prescription and under medical supervision, the buprenorphine in each drug will work as it should. Therefore, alleviating opiate withdrawal symptoms and reducing cravings.

What Is Buprenorphine?

Previously used as a pain reliever, buprenorphine is a synthetic opioid and partial opioid antagonist that binds to receptors in the brain that causes reduced feelings of well-being and pain. Even though buprenorphine isn’t a full opioid, it does act like one, causing average receptor site activity. However, buprenorphine doesn’t create a euphoric state, when it’s taken as directed.

As a result, buprenorphine can prevent withdrawal symptoms, and reduce cravings for opiate drugs such as prescription painkillers and heroin. This medication has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat opioid use disorder (OUD) as medication-assisted treatment (MAT).

Similar to all of the medications utilized in MAT, buprenorphine should be prescribed as a part of an all-inclusive treatment plan that includes counseling among other behavioral therapies to provide clients with a whole-person approach.

The first medication to treat OUD was buprenorphine as it was dispensed and prescribed in physician’s offices, increasing access to treatment significantly. The Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), and the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities (Support Act) stated:

Qualified practitioners were allowed to prescribe and dispense buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorders (OUD) in various settings other than opioid treatment programs (OTP). This was upon the completion of specialized training.

There are several advantages when using buprenorphine in the treatment of opioid use:

  • Allow the patient to focus on therapy without being distracted by cravings and withdrawal symptoms
  • Minimize relapse since the person isn’t experiencing uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms
  • Help the person remain comfortable and safe during detox
  • Eliminate or reduce cravings for heroin and other opiates

Side Effects of Buprenorphine

  • Headache, constipation, nausea, and vomiting
  • Dilated pupils and blurred vision
  • Muscle cramps and aches
  • Drowsiness and fatigue
  • Disturbance in attention
  • Inability to sleep
  • Dry mouth
  • Palpations
  • Dizziness
  • Sweating
  • Tremors
  • Fever

Serious Side Effects of Buprenorphine

  • Pain, swelling, itching, and nerve damage (implant)
  • Neonatal abstinence syndrome (in newborns)
  • Pain at the injection site (injection)
  • Adrenal insufficiency
  • Respiratory distress
  • Dependence
  • Withdrawal
  • Overdose

Why Is Buprenorphine Used?

As mentioned previously, buprenorphine is an opioid partial agonist. It is used to produce effects such as repository depression or europhia at low to more moderate doses. However, with buprenorphine, these effects are weaker than full opioid agonists such as heroin or methadone.

When buprenorphine is taken as prescribed, it is deemed effective and safe. It has unique pharmacological properties that can help:

  • Diminish the effects of a person’s physical dependency on opioids, such as cravings and withdrawal symptoms
  • Lower the potential for misuse
  • Increase safety in overdoses

How Does the Buprenorphine Process Work?

buprenorphine process in detoxBefore beginning the buprenorphine process, an OUD patient must abstain from opioid use for at least 12-24 hours and also be in the early stages of opioid withdrawal. When patients have opioids in their bloodstream or aren’t in the early stages of withdrawal, they might experience an acute withdrawal.

Once the patient has greatly reduced or discontinued their opioid use, is experiencing few or no side effects, and is no longer having cravings, the dose of buprenorphine can be adjusted. Due to the long-acting agent of the drug buprenorphine, once the patients are stabilized, it might be a possibility to switch from a dose every day to alternate-day dosing.

The length of time that a patient receives buprenorphine is tailored to meet the needs of every patient and in a few cases, treatment can be unknown. In order to prevent possible relapse, people can engage in continuous treatment with or without MAT.

How Is Buprenorphine Used?

It must be used carefully. The doctor will begin by prescribing a low dose of buprenorphine for the patient to begin taking after their withdrawal symptoms begin. Overall, the dose levels can be adjusted as needed. It is vital to take the doses exactly as prescribed.

Upon first taking buprenorphine, the patient might experience drowsiness. During this time, it’s advised that the individual taking buprenorphine doesn’t drive or perform high-risk activities till it’s known how the medication will affect them. However, if drowsiness continues to be an issue, the doctor might adjust the dose levels.

You are able to take buprenorphine for days, months, or even years – as long as it’s needed to avoid or prevent relapse. If you have liver disease, it’s best to check in with your doctor.

Once you become stable on your road to recovery and would like to stop taking buprenorphine, you must slowly get off of the medication. This process is called tapering. Tapering works the best with a substance abuse treatment provider or doctor after the progress has been made.

Is Buprenorphine Helpful for People in Treatment?

Subutex and Suboxone Addiction treatmentThe drug buprenorphine is extremely helpful for people in addiction treatment. It is a powerful analgesic that has a long history of use in treating chronic pain and acute pain. Even though the sublingual form of buprenorphine hasn’t been approved yet for chronic pain, there are physicians that are making use of the drug off-label.

It’s possible that buprenorphine might offer an alternative to managing chronic pain that is considered more tolerable and safer than other medications. Overall, the use of buprenorphine as a pain control medication will continue to be explored in future research.

Subutex vs. Suboxone Addiction at Magnolia City Recovery

Here at Magnolia City Recovery, we are geared to serving the needs of every patient that we treat. Our various complementary therapies and medication-assisted detox assist our patients in overcoming withdrawal during early recovery. We’re here to work with you and find suitable solutions.

Though Subutex and Suboxone have a few similarities, the differences outweigh them. If you are struggling with addiction, we can help. Contact us today to get started.

https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/sma14-4442.pdf

https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment/medications-counseling-related-conditions/buprenorphine

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4283787/#:~:text=Buprenorphine%20is%20a%20powerful%20analgesic,of%20the%20drug%20off%20label.

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Subutex vs. Suboxone: Understanding the Key Differences

Dec 8, 2025

Substance Use

Medications like Subutex and Suboxone have transformed treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). While both contain buprenorphine—a medication proven effective for reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms—there are essential differences that influence how they’re prescribed and who benefits most.

If you or a loved one is considering medication-assisted treatment (MAT), understanding these distinctions can help you make an informed decision. At Magnolia City Detox, we guide patients through safe detoxification and MAT options designed for long-term recovery.

Key Takeaways

  • Subutex and Suboxone both treat opioid withdrawal and cravings, but Suboxone includes naloxone, making it safer and less likely to be misused.
  • Buprenorphine works best as part of a full treatment plan, including therapy, medical monitoring, and long-term recovery support—not as a standalone solution.
  • Magnolia City Detox in Conroe, TX, provides individualized, medically supervised detox, helping patients determine which medication is safest and most effective for their recovery.

What Are Buprenorphine-Based Medications?

Question: What Are Buprenorphine-based medications?

Answer: Buprenorphine-based medications, including Subutex and Suboxone, are partial opioid agonists used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). These medications work by binding to the same brain receptors as opioids, reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings without producing the intense high of full opioids.

Suboxone includes naloxone, which helps prevent misuse. When combined with counseling and behavioral therapy, buprenorphine-based medications are a cornerstone of medication-assisted treatment (MAT), supporting long-term recovery and safer detoxification.

What Are Subutex and Suboxone?

Subutex and Suboxone were both approved by the FDA in 2002 and were introduced as safer, more accessible alternatives to methadone for treating opioid addiction. Prior to the Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000, methadone was the primary medication available. Buprenorphine—a Schedule III partial opioid agonist—changed that, allowing trained physicians to prescribe it in office-based settings.

Although the medications were created around the same time, their compositions differ, which impacts safety and misuse potential.

Subutex vs. Suboxone: The Core Difference

Subutex Contains:

  • Buprenorphine only

Suboxone Contains:

  • Buprenorphine
  • Naloxone (an opioid antagonist)

Buprenorphine reduces opioid withdrawal and cravings by partially stimulating opioid receptors without producing a full opioid high. Naloxone, meanwhile, serves as a deterrent to misuse because it triggers withdrawal if the medication is injected.

Why This Matters

  • Subutex has a higher abuse potential because it lacks naloxone.
  • Suboxone is considered safer for individuals at risk of misuse or relapse.
  • Both medications are safer than methadone and are valuable in MAT when supervised by trained clinicians.

Why Was Naloxone Added to Suboxone?

After Subutex became available, clinicians observed cases of individuals crushing or injecting it to attempt to get high. Combining buprenorphine with naloxone (Suboxone) helps prevent this.

If Suboxone is taken as prescribed (sublingually), naloxone remains inactive. But if dissolved and injected, naloxone becomes active and causes immediate precipitated withdrawal, making misuse extremely unpleasant.

This added layer of protection is a major reason Suboxone is now the more commonly prescribed option.

When Subutex May Still Be Used

Subutex is rarely a first-line medication today, but it may still be appropriate for:

  • Pregnant individuals
  • Patients allergic to naloxone
  • Specific clinical circumstances where the prescriber determines it’s beneficial

At MagCityDetox, medical staff assess each patient individually to determine whether Subutex or Suboxone aligns with their medical needs and recovery goals.

How Subutex and Suboxone Fit Into Addiction Treatment

Subutex vs. Suboxone: Understanding the Key Differences Medication alone is not treatment—it’s one part of a comprehensive recovery plan.

Effective addiction treatment includes:

  • Medical detox 
  • Behavioral therapy
  • Mental health support
  • Long-term relapse-prevention planning

The goal is not just reducing symptoms but addressing underlying emotional, psychological, and environmental factors that contributed to addiction.

At Magnolia Detox, patients receive a whole-person approach that includes medications like Subutex or Suboxone only when medically appropriate.

Similarities Between Subutex and Suboxone

Both medications:

  • Are brand names
  • Contain buprenorphine
  • Reduce cravings and withdrawal
  • Lower relapse risk
  • Are approved for MAT

Common Side Effects Include:

  • Constipation
  • Nausea
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Sweating

When taken as prescribed under medical supervision, both are equally effective at treating opioid use disorder.

What is Buprenorphine?

Buprenorphine is a synthetic opioid and partial opioid agonist. It binds to opioid receptors in the brain, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms without producing the euphoric effects associated with full opioids like heroin or oxycodone.

Benefits of Buprenorphine

  • Reduces cravings and withdrawal
  • Lowers overdose risk
  • Blocks other opioids from binding
  • Can be dispensed in office-based treatment
  • Supports long-term recovery when combined with therapy

Side Effects of Buprenorphine

Common:

  • Headache
  • Drowsiness
  • Dry mouth
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle aches

Serious:

  • Respiratory distress
  • Adrenal insufficiency
  • Neonatal abstinence syndrome (if taken during pregnancy)
  • Dependence or withdrawal (if stopped abruptly)

Because buprenorphine has a "ceiling effect," it is safer and less likely to cause overdose than full opioid agonists.

How Buprenorphine Works During Detox

Subutex vs. Suboxone: Understanding the Key Differences Before starting buprenorphine, the patient must be in early withdrawal—typically 12–24 hours after last opioid use. Starting too early can trigger acute withdrawal, which can be extremely uncomfortable.

Once the medication is taken:

  1. Cravings diminish
  2. Withdrawal symptoms reduce
  3. The patient stabilizes
  4. Doses are adjusted as needed
  5. Long-acting effects allow for consistent recovery

At Magnolia City Detox, medical staff closely monitor this process to ensure a safe, comfortable transition.

How Buprenorphine Is Prescribed

Buprenorphine must be taken exactly as directed. Doses may be adjusted based on:

  • Withdrawal severity
  • Medical history
  • Co-occurring disorders
  • Risk of misuse

Patients should avoid driving during the first doses until they know how the medication affects them.

Long-term use is safe when medically managed. Some patients continue buprenorphine for months or years, while others taper slowly under medical supervision and medical detox, like in Houston, TX.

Is Buprenorphine Effective for People in Recovery?

Yes. Studies show buprenorphine:

  • Cuts relapse risk
  • Improves treatment retention
  • Helps patients focus on therapy
  • Reduces cravings long-term

Although its sublingual form isn’t FDA-approved for chronic pain, many clinicians use it off-label due to its safety profile.

Subutex vs. Suboxone at Magnolia City Detox

At Magnolia City Detox, we tailor detox plans to each patient’s unique needs. Our medical team evaluates whether Subutex, Suboxone, or another Magnolia rehab and detox medication is most appropriate.

Our programs include:

  • 24/7 medical monitoring
  • Medication-assisted detox
  • Individual therapy
  • Dual-diagnosis care
  • Aftercare planning

Whether you’re dealing with long-term opioid use, relapse, or severe withdrawal, we’re here to guide you toward a safer, healthier future.

If you’re struggling with opioid addiction, reach out today. Your recovery starts here.

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