Does Subutex Block Opiates? | How Long Does Subutex Block Opiates?

Subutex, a brand name for buprenorphine, is a medication that treats opioid dependence. Buprenorphine alone doesn’t block opiates, but it does compete with other opioids to occupy the same receptors in the brain. Essentially, buprenorphine (Subutex) can prevent other opioids, such as heroin, from occupying opioid receptors. This can reduce the effects of other opiates, and potentially block them fully.

Suboxone, a similar drug to Subutex, can effectively block opiates. This is because it contains both buprenorphine and naloxone, an opioid antagonist that can block the effects of opioids.

Learn more about taking Subutex during medication-assisted treatment

How Subutex Works

Subutex is what’s known as a partial opioid agonist. This means it binds to the same receptors in the brain as other opioids, but without fully activating them.

What Subutex does:

• lessens the risk of drug misuse
• does not get a person high
• produces effects that are much weaker than those of other opioids
• increases safety in the event of an opioid overdose

Subutex also has what’s known as a “ceiling effect”. This means that, after reaching a certain dose, the effects of Subutex plateau. This makes overdosing on Subutex unlikely and reduces the likelihood of experiencing euphoria, one of the most addictive effects of opioids.

How Subutex Treats Opioid Use Disorder

Due to its chemical similarity to opioid drugs, Subutex can effectively treat opioid withdrawal symptoms and get rid of opioid cravings in people who have become addicted. Subutex is generally used during the initial detox and early opioid withdrawal process. It is sometimes used as a maintenance treatment, but Suboxone is generally preferred for this purpose.

Compared to Suboxone, Subutex has a slightly higher risk for drug misuse. Naloxone, one of the ingredients in Suboxone, prevents misuse by blocking opiates.

How Long Do The Effects Of Subutex Last?

While Subutex doesn’t necessarily block opioids, its effects on the brain can prevent opioid misuse. Once taken, the effects of Subutex may last between 24 to 72 hours.

Factors that can affect how long effects last include:

• dose taken
• drug tolerance
• use of other drugs
• body mass
• method of use

During induction, when someone first starts taking the drug, Subutex may be administered in small increments a few times a day. After the first week of treatment, Subutex may be taken once a day as part of a full medication-assisted treatment program.

Why Is Subutex Prescribed?

Subutex is prescribed for the treatment of opioid dependence and opioid use disorder, also known as opioid addiction. Opioids are a class of powerful painkillers.

Common opioids of abuse include:

• heroin
• oxycodone (OxyContin)
• hydrocodone (Vicodin)
• fentanyl
• oxymorphone (Opana)
• hydromorphone (Dilaudid)

Subutex is used in drug rehab programs for opioid addiction, which may consist of medication with behavioral therapy, substance abuse counseling, and medical care.

Side Effects Of Subutex

Like all medications, Subutex can cause side effects, though most are mild and temporary. Common side effects include headache, nausea, constipation, sweating, insomnia, and mild drowsiness. Some people experience numbness or tingling in the mouth where the sublingual tablet dissolves. These side effects typically lessen as the body adjusts to the medication over the first few weeks of treatment.

More serious side effects requiring medical attention include severe allergic reactions, breathing problems, liver problems indicated by yellowing of skin or eyes, severe drowsiness or confusion, and signs of low blood pressure like dizziness or fainting. Subutex can cause respiratory depression, especially when combined with alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other sedatives.

Subutex Vs Suboxone

The main difference between Subutex and Suboxone is that Suboxone contains naloxone in addition to buprenorphine, while Subutex contains only buprenorphine. The naloxone in Suboxone discourages misuse because injecting or snorting it triggers immediate withdrawal symptoms, whereas Subutex lacks this deterrent. For this reason, Suboxone is preferred for long-term treatment, while Subutex is typically used during pregnancy or initial treatment phases.

Subutex may be prescribed for pregnant women because naloxone’s effects on pregnancy aren’t fully understood, making pure buprenorphine the safer choice. It’s also used for people who have negative reactions to naloxone or during the early induction phase of treatment. Most individuals transition to Suboxone for ongoing maintenance due to its lower abuse potential. Both medications are equally effective at treating opioid addiction when used properly as part of medication-assisted treatment.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff