Suboxone has helped millions of Americans cope with opioid addiction, but there has been some concern about whether the popular medication will stay available. In light of the ongoing opioid crisis affecting American communities, suboxone is a crucial therapeutic choice for people pursuing long-term recovery.
However, is the medication discontinued altogether? Let us learn all about it.
What Is Suboxone?
Suboxone is a prescription drug intended for those who have made a commitment to treat their opioid drug addiction and are dependent on heroin or morphine. It’s intended for use in adults and teenagers over 15 years old, alongside medical, social, and psychological assistance.
Buprenorphine and naloxone are the two active components of suboxone. It’s a film that dissolves in five to ten minutes when applied beneath the tongue or inside the cheek. Suboxone must be administered under the guidance of a medical professional experienced in managing opioid addiction.
Special prescriptions are required due to their potential for addiction, ensuring stricter control over their use to minimize misuse.
The method of using Suboxone varies depending on factors like the type of addiction, withdrawal status, and prior substitution treatments such as methadone. Initially, it’s placed under the tongue, with the option to transition to placing it inside the cheek once the patient is stabilized.
The doctor may adjust the dosage based on the patient’s response. The maximum dosage is 24 mg of buprenorphine per day, starting with 4 mg of buprenorphine and 1 mg of naloxone.
Eventually, the maintenance dose can be gradually reduced and treatment stopped. Liver function should be assessed before starting Suboxone and regularly monitored during treatment, especially in patients with mild to moderate liver impairment.
Suboxone’s effectiveness depends on patients receiving comprehensive medical, social, and psychological support in addition to the medication.
Side Effects of Suboxone
Suboxone may lead to various side effects, ranging from mild to severe.
Commonly reported mild side effects include swelling of the hands or lower legs, mouth redness, excessive sweating, burning mouth sensation, nausea, headaches, constipation, insomnia, and mild allergic reactions.
Although these side effects are usually temporary and tolerable, it’s important to speak with a physician or chemist if they worsen or continue. Even if they are uncommon, severe side effects call for care. These include adrenal insufficiency, respiratory depression, and liver damage (including hepatitis).
Additionally, central nervous system depression and increased pressure in the biliary tract (which encompasses the gallbladder and liver) have also been observed.
The serious side effects also include dental problems such as cavities or infections, increased pressure in the brain, orthostatic hypotension, severe allergic reactions, and serious opioid withdrawal symptoms.
The severity of these side effects has led to legal action, exemplified by lawsuits like the Suboxone lawsuit. This legal matter revolves around allegations that Suboxone, particularly its sublingual film form, causes significant dental injuries due to its acidic nature.
According to TruLaw, plaintiffs argue that manufacturers failed to adequately warn patients about the risk of tooth decay and other dental issues associated with the medication.
New DEA Rule Could Limit Access to Opioid Addiction Treatment
Access to opioid addiction treatment using buprenorphine could become more difficult under a proposed rule from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
As we have seen, buprenorphine is used to help people recover from opioid addiction by reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government allowed doctors to prescribe buprenorphine through telehealth appointments without requiring an initial in-person visit. This helped ensure people could continue receiving treatment while limiting exposure to the virus.
However, the DEA now proposes requiring an in-person doctor’s visit within 30 days of a patient’s first telehealth appointment to receive buprenorphine. The agency argues this would reduce the potential for buprenorphine prescriptions to be misused or diverted.
Advocates and experts warn the new rule could make treatment less accessible. Many patients live in areas without nearby doctors who prescribe buprenorphine, particularly in rural communities. For these patients, an in-person visit requirement within 30 days could disrupt their recovery process and potentially lead to relapse.
FAQs
1. Who manufactures Suboxone in the USA?
A: Suboxone is manufactured and distributed by an American company called Indivior. Indivior is a specialist pharmaceutical company listed on the London Stock Exchange and a part of the FTSE 250 Index.
2. What drug is similar to Suboxone?
A: Zubsolv is the only drug on the list that could be considered a true substitute for Suboxone. It has a lower risk of addiction, and withdrawal symptoms are less severe compared to other opioids. Treatment plans often start with Subutex before transitioning to Suboxone or Zubsolv.
3. Is Suboxone classified as a narcotic?
A: Since opioids and narcotics are the same, one of the chemicals in Suboxone, buprenorphine, can be categorized as a narcotic. However, naloxone, another ingredient, is not a narcotic. Naloxone acts as an antagonist to narcotics. Additionally, buprenorphine is not as potent as narcotics like heroin or oxycodone.
While Suboxone has undoubtedly helped many in their recovery journey, its discontinuation or limited access could undo that progress and exacerbate the already devastating opioid crisis.
As with any medication, both its benefits and risks must be considered. But amid such widespread suffering, keeping effective treatment options available through responsible oversight rather than restrictive policy changes could save lives.
We must ensure all have access to care that helps them live fulfilling lives in recovery. This requires compassion and a shift in treating addiction as a medical issue, not a criminal one.