Switching From Suboxone To Vivitrol: How Long Do I Have To Wait?

Suboxone and Vivitrol are two different medications that doctors use to help people recover from opioid addiction, but they work in very different ways. While both can be effective treatments for opioid use disorder, some people may find that one medication works better for their specific situation or lifestyle than the other.

If someone is currently taking Suboxone and wants to switch to Vivitrol, they can’t simply stop one and start the other right away. The transition requires careful planning and medical supervision, including a gradual tapering process to safely stop Suboxone and then waiting at least two weeks after the last dose before beginning Vivitrol treatment. This waiting period is crucial to avoid serious withdrawal symptoms and ensure the new medication works the way it should.

Find out more about taking Vivitrol for addiction treatment

How Long It Takes To Switch From Suboxone To Vivitrol

On average, it will take at least a few weeks to switch from Suboxone to Vivitrol. This will depend on how high a dose of Suboxone you’re taking and other personal factors.

Can You Take Vivitrol With Suboxone Still In Your System?

People who are taking Suboxone cannot begin Vivitrol treatment immediately. Taking Vivitrol with Suboxone still in your system could cause severe, opioid withdrawal symptoms. Precipitated withdrawal from Vivitrol is an acute form of withdrawal that can be triggered by Vivitrol’s blockade effects on opioid receptors in the brain.

What this could cause:

• rapid heartbeat
• sweating
• fever
• severe diarrhea
• excessive vomiting
• fully-body pain
• altered sense of reality
• seizures

Due to the fact that symptoms can be severe, Vivitrol should only be taken after you have fully detoxed from all opioid drugs, including Suboxone.

How To Switch From Suboxone To Vivitrol

Switching medications is a decision you may make with your prescribing doctor or addiction treatment team.

The process of switching to Vivitrol will involve:

• gradually tapering off use of Suboxone
• waiting at least two weeks after your last dose before starting Vivitrol
• clinical management of Suboxone withdrawal symptoms

The entire process of making this switch may take a number of weeks, depending on how long it takes for you to taper off Suboxone. During this time, a detox program may be recommended. This can help prevent withdrawal-related complications from getting off Suboxone, including relapse to opioid use.

Challenges Of Switching From Suboxone To Vivitrol

Making the switch from Suboxone to Vivitrol for opioid addiction treatment comes with significant risks and difficulties that require careful medical supervision. This transition period can be one of the most vulnerable times in a person’s recovery, and attempting it without proper support could lead to serious health consequences or relapse.

One of the biggest dangers during this switch is that stopping Suboxone often causes intense cravings for opioids to return. At the same time, a person’s tolerance for opioids drops during the waiting period before starting Vivitrol. If someone relapses and uses opioids during this time, their reduced tolerance puts them at high risk for a potentially fatal overdose, even from amounts they could previously handle safely.

The two-week waiting period required before starting Vivitrol can be challenging to get through. Many people experience withdrawal symptoms, intense drug cravings, anxiety, depression, and physical discomfort during this time. Without proper clinical support, medical monitoring, and possibly additional medications to ease withdrawal symptoms, many people find this transition period too difficult to complete successfully.

Timeline For Switching From Suboxone To Vivitrol: What Factors Can Affect It?

The timeline for how long it takes to switch from one medication for opioid use disorder to another can vary, depending on factors related to one’s health and substance use history.

Your timeline for switching to Vivitrol may depend on:

• your maintenance dose of Suboxone
• how long you’ve been taking Suboxone
• risk of relapse while tapering off Suboxone
• level of support for managing withdrawal
• setting in which you are tapering off Suboxone

Safety is a key consideration for how long, and in what way, a person is recommended to make the transition to a Vivitrol medication-assisted treatment (MAT) plan. Stopping Vivitrol without having clinical support, or a strong social support system, can be risky, due to a potential for relapse during this transition.

People who are considered at high risk for relapse during this transition may receive a recommendation from their doctor to enter a detox center or treatment facility for extra support.

What’s The Difference Between Suboxone And Vivitrol?

Suboxone is an opioid-based medication containing buprenorphine and naloxone. Vivitrol is a non-opioid medication that contains naltrexone as its primary ingredient.

Primary differences between them include:

• Formulation: Suboxone comes in the form of a film strip. Vivitrol is an intramuscular injection that can only be administered by a health professional.
• Abuse potential: Suboxone has a low abuse potential, while Vivitrol has no potential for abuse.
• Addictive potential: Suboxone can be physically and psychologically addictive, while Vivitrol has no known addictive potential.
• Accessibility: Special training is required for eligible healthcare providers to prescribe Suboxone. No special training is required to prescribe Vivitrol.
• Frequency of use: Suboxone is generally taken once daily, while Vivitrol is a medication that’s administered once a month.
• Insurance coverage: Not all health insurance providers cover Suboxone and Vivitrol the same. You’ll need to check your insurance policy to confirm this.

While both medications are effective for treating opioid addiction, the choice between them often depends on factors like personal preference, medical history, risk of relapse, and individual response to treatment.

Can You Switch Back To Suboxone After Taking Vivitrol?

Before making any sort of medication switch, it’s important to talk to your doctor about the pros and cons. But yes, switching back to Suboxone is possible. Because Vivitrol can block the effects of buprenorphine, an ingredient in Suboxone, starting back on Suboxone may require a waiting period until your last Vivitrol dose has worn off.

You’ll likely need to be started on a lower dose than before. Because Vivitrol doesn’t cause physical dependence, you will not need to wean off it first.

Getting Professional Help Switching From Suboxone To Vivitrol

Making the transition from Suboxone to Vivitrol is a significant decision that requires professional medical guidance and support. Learning about opioid addiction treatment options and working with healthcare providers can make this switch safer and more successful. Treatment programs may include residential care, outpatient programs, dual diagnosis treatment, counseling, medical detox, and holistic services.

If you’re considering making this medication change for yourself or a loved one, getting expert advice is essential for navigating this process safely. Browse our directory or reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for more helpful information about addiction recovery.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff