How Long Does It Take For Suboxone To Kick In?

Medically Reviewed by Johnelle Smith, M.D. on July 14, 2021

Suboxone starts working in 30 to 60 minutes. Most people will feel the effects within the hour, though for some it may take longer depending on their specific body and history of drug abuse.

How Long Does It Take For Suboxone To Kick In?

Suboxone usually kicks in within 30 to 60 minutes. Once a person has reached the right dosage, the effects of Suboxone should continue for 47 to 72 hours.

After the first dose of Suboxone, symptoms of opioid withdrawal should begin to subside quickly and the person using it should start to feel much better.

Learn more about using Suboxone for opioid withdrawal

What Factors Affect How Long Suboxone Takes To Kick In?

There are a few common factors that can affect how long it takes for Suboxone to start working.

History Of Drug Abuse

A person who’s been abusing opioids for a long period of time will likely have a higher tolerance built up in their body.

Because of this, a low dose of Suboxone may not be enough to resolve feelings of opioid withdrawal and it may take a longer period of time and a larger dose of Suboxone to work.

Additionally, the type of opioid in question will be a major factor in how long it takes for Suboxone to kick in.

If a person is coming off a long-acting opioid, such as fentanyl or methadone, it may take longer for Suboxone to work.

Physical Characteristics

Each person’s body will respond differently to Suboxone based on their individual characteristics.

A few of the physical factors that can affect how long it takes Suboxone to kick in include:

  • weight
  • age
  • metabolism
  • body fat

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Size Of The Last Dose Of Suboxone

How quickly Suboxone works is largely dependent on how large the dose is.

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration recommends that Suboxone be administered in an initial dose of 2 milligrams (mg)/0.5 mg or 4 mg/1 mg buprenorphine and naloxone.

As days pass and the dose continues to be adjusted and increased as needed, larger doses of Suboxone may be administered.

If the initial doses are too low, it may take longer to feel the effects of Suboxone. But larger doses, or doses with greater strength, will result in quicker results as the effects are stronger.

How Long Does Suboxone Stay In Your System?

A person using Suboxone will feel the effects of the medication for up to three days. It’s given as a single daily dose, so the effects won’t wear off between doses.

Suboxone can remain in the blood for two days, in saliva for three days, in the urine for six days, and in hair for up to 90 days.

Though Suboxone can last in a person’s body for extended periods of time, they will not feel the effects past three days.

Get Suboxone Treatment For An Opioid Addiction

Suboxone treatment is available in a variety of live-in and part-time addiction treatment programs. Choose between different options in addiction recovery to find what works for you.

To learn more about what’s involved in Suboxone treatment and how to get started, just call our helpline. Our representatives are ready to take your call and assist you in finding a treatment program.

This page does not provide medical advice. See more

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Medically Reviewed by
Johnelle Smith, M.D. on July 14, 2021
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