Zubsolv is a sublingual tablet that is dissolved under the tongue. This prescription medication is classified as an opioid, but it does not result in the typical euphoric high like other opioids.
There have been reports, like those from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), that some may experience feelings of well-being or positivity after taking Zubsolv.
However, after working with a medical professional, a person trying to manage an opioid use disorder (OUD) should not experience euphoria or feeling “high” after taking Zubsolv.
Read more about using Zubsolv in addiction treatment
Reasons Zubsolv Does Not Cause You To Feel High
One of the drugs in Zubsolv is buprenorphine. This medication does not completely bind to the opioid receptors in the brain, so it will not have the more extreme effects that heroin or morphine do.
Removing that high, while still providing enough medication to keep the person from going into full-blown withdrawal, is one of the ways Zubsolv is helping individuals with OUD.
Zubsolv also contains naloxone, which prevents or decreases potential abuse of Zubsolv.
Dissolving and injecting Zubsolv activates the naloxone, eliminating opioid effects quickly and rendering Zubsolv essentially useless.
Experiencing Euphoria While Taking Zubsolv
Taking Zubsolv as prescribed should not result in euphoria, so anyone taking Zubsolv as part of a medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program should see a medical professional.
A person who is not opioid-dependent may experience mild euphoria if they are abusing Zubsolv by taking it in higher doses or more often than prescribed.
Zubsolv Protects Against The High Produced By Other Opioids
The opioid agonist, buprenorphine, does not fully attach to the opioid receptors. It cannot produce the same euphoric high as heroin, OxyContin, or other opioids.
Zubsolv is a long-acting opioid, so it takes effect at a much slower rate than other opioid drugs.
Finding Treatment For Zubsolv Abuse
Even though Zubsolv is included as one of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) approved medications to treat OUD as part of a MAT program, it can be abused.
If you or a loved one are struggling with Zubsolv abuse, seeking treatment from an approved substance abuse recovery program can be helpful.
Contact our professionally trained staff today. We can help you find a recovery program that meets all your needs.
Addiction Resource aims to provide only the most current, accurate information in regards to addiction and addiction treatment, which means we only reference the most credible sources available.
These include peer-reviewed journals, government entities and academic institutions, and leaders in addiction healthcare and advocacy. Learn more about how we safeguard our content by viewing our editorial policy.
- Adis Drug Evaluation — Buprenorphine/Naloxone (Zubsolv®): A Review in Opioid Dependence
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40263-018-0560-2 - U.S. Food & Drug Administration — ZUBSOLV (buprenorphine and naloxone) sublingual tablets
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2016/204242s009lbl.pdf - U.S. Food & Drug Administration — FDA Approved Drugs
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=204242 - International Journal of Pharmaceutics — Recent advances in abuse-deterrent technologies for the delivery of opioids
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378517316304884
