What is Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone) used for?

Suboxone is a prescription medicine that is used during medication-assisted treatment of opioid dependence.

How does Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone) work?

Suboxone binds to the same opioid receptors in the brain as opioid drugs, including but not limited to the street drug heroin and prescription narcotic painkillers. It produces effects that are similar to opioid drugs, but it is less habit-forming. By binding to opioid receptors, Suboxone decreases drug cravings and reduces the severity of withdrawal symptoms. Suboxone treatment makes it easier for people with an opioid addiction to stop abusing these drugs.

What are Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone) doses?

Suboxone is available as a sublingual film that is placed under the tongue. Common Suboxone doses are 2 mg/0.5 mg, 4 mg/1 mg, 8 mg/2 mg, and 12 mg/3 mg.

Doctors usually prescribe Suboxone at a dose that suppresses opioid withdrawal symptoms and helps the patient stay in opioid addiction treatment. The dose can be increased or decreased depending on the response. The recommended target maintenance dose is Suboxone sublingual film 16 mg/4 mg as a single daily dose. The maximum Suboxone dose is 24 mg/6 mg per day.