What is Suboxone?

What is Suboxone?

Suboxone is the first opioid medication approved for the treatment of opioid dependence in an office-based setting.  The primary active ingredient in Suboxone is Buprenorphine. Buprenorphine was
 first developed the late 60s early 70s as a painkiller but was found to be very effective in addiction treatment.  It has been available as Suboxone in
 the United States since October 2002. To date, more than 400,000 opioid-dependent patients worldwide have been treated with Buprenorphine.

What is the goal of treatment?

Through this treatment, people who are dependent on opiate based drugs receive comprehensive multidisciplinary outpatient treatment in order to offer the support they need to stabilize and improve their health, relationships, finances and overall quality of life.

This drug was approved for addiction treatment in 2002 in the USA and 2006 in Europe. Canada approved the medication in 2007.  The first treatment centre using suboxone was at Columbia University in 2003.

Opioid receptor is empty – As someone becomes tolerant to opioids, they become less sensitive and require more opioids to produce the same effect. Whenever there is an insufficient amount of opioid receptors activated, the patient feels discomfort. This happens in withdrawal.

Opioid receptor satisfied with a full-agonist opioid. –
The strong opioid effect of heroin and painkillers can cause euphoria and stop the withdrawal for a period of time (4-24 hours). The brain begins to crave opioids, sometimes to the point of an uncontrollable compulsion (addiction), and the cycle repeats and escalates.

Opioids replaced and blocked by buprenorphine. – Buprenorphine competes with the full agonist opioids for the receptor. Since buprenorphine has a higher affinity (stronger binding ability) it expels existing opioids and blocks others from attaching. As a partial agonist, the buprenorphine has a limited opioid effect, enough to stop withdrawal but not enough to cause intense euphoria.

Over time (24-72 hours) buprenorphine dissipates, – but still creates a limited opioid effect (enough to prevent withdrawal) and continues to block other opioids from attaching to the opioid receptors.

Images taken from the National Alliance of Advocates for the Buprenorphine Treatment

Suboxone is very effective treatment for opioid dependence.  A number of clinical trials have established that suboxone is effective for:

• Suppressing symptoms of opioid withdrawal
• Reducing cravings for opioids
• Reducing illicit opioid use
• Blocking the effects of other opioids
• Helping patients stay in treatment

Suboxone Maintenance Therapy,  together with counseling, can help you remain in treatment. By having your withdrawal symptoms and cravings better controlled, your overall treatment can focus on resolving issues and gaining skills to avoid triggers—situations or stimuli that may cause you to Relapse. You can also work with your physician to address issues that may have been contributing to your use of opioids, such as depression, anxiety, or other psychiatric conditions.

The Suboxone ® Opioid Substitution Program (SOSP) is an opioid pharmacotherapy program operating in the greater Toronto area. The SOSP permits our physicians to prescribe sublingual buprenorphine (suboxone) to maintain/treat opioid drug dependence, in certain circumstances.

Suboxone treatment is initiated and continued by our physicians in private individual sessions. Our team has special expertise in helping to transition patients with opioid dependence to Suboxone in the privacy and convenience of our conveniently located offices.

The Suboxone Program team consists of physicians and other clinicians, all of whom have expertise in dealing with opioid dependence and the transition to Suboxone. The team provides support for patients throughout all phases of treatment. The Suboxone Program uses the latest, well-tested treatment modalities.

A specially trained physician will assess each patient’s needs and devise an individualized treatment plan that includes initial in person dosing and a follow up plan.

Suboxone offers a more comfortable recovery from pain killer addiction. Over time, the frequency of suboxone prescriptions can be lessened, depending on each individual’s needs. Suboxone is a safer alternative to heroin or other opiate use, with reduced health risks and a lower risk profile than other treatments.