Opiates are among the most addictive substances in the U.S. So many people are being prescribed painkillers, whether it be for acute pain or chronic pain, and end up having addiction by the time they are done with their prescription. The main drug found in most prescription painkillers, such as OxyContin and Percocet, is an opioid called Oxycodone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 46 people die every day from overdoses involving prescription opioids. In 2017, prescription opioids continue to contribute to the epidemic in the U.S. – they were involved in more than 35% of all opioid overdose deaths.

Buprenorphine For Medication-Assisted Treatment

Opiates are one of the deadliest and most difficult drugs to quit. There is rarely a recreational user. It is almost certain that when you start using opiates, you will become dependent on them and become addicted. This addiction will ruin your life by the means of taking all your money, your health, your friends and family, and all you have achieved in life so far and if you are one of the many statistics, your life.

To detox from opiates, you can go many different routes. Such options for detoxing off pain meds include therapy, group support groups, natural herbs, cold turkey, and many more, but the one medication that has proven to be the best at safely getting addicts off opiates with little to no withdrawal symptoms is Buprenorphine.

What is Buprenorphine Used For?

Buprenorphine is used specifically for opioid addiction. It comes in many different forms, names, and strengths.

Buprenex – It is intended for intravenous or intramuscular administration and contains 0.3 mg of buprenorphine per mL. Buprenex is approved for the relief of moderate to severe pain. This formulation is also used off-label for the treatment of opioid withdrawal in heroin-dependent hospitalized patients.

Bunavail, Suboxone, and Zubsolv – These are transmucosal films or tablets, which are made for dissolving under the tongue and formulated in conjunction with naloxone. These medications are indicated for the treatment of opioid dependence and are used for heroin or another opioid dependency, both for induction and maintenance therapy.

Suboxone SL Tablet

• 2 mg
• 4 mg
• 4 mg
• 12 mg

Suboxone SL Film

• 2 mg
• 4 mg
• 8 mg

Zubzolv SL Tablet

• 1.4 mg
• 5.7 mg

Subutex – This is a sublingual tablet formulation of buprenorphine approved for the treatment of opioid dependence, with a particular focus on the induction phase of treatment. It has also been used off-label successfully for the treatment of chronic pain for which long-term full opioid agonists are not tolerated or appropriate. Dosages of 2 mg and 8 mg are available, and a dose-related response has been noted up to single doses of 32 mg.

Butrans – A buprenorphine transdermal patch indicated for the management of pain requiring around-the-clock, long-term opioid treatment that is not adequately controlled with alternatives. Dosages of 5 mcg/hr, 7.5 mcg/hr, 10 mcg/hr, 15 mcg/hr, and 20 mcg/hr are available, but only the 5 mcg/hr dose is recommended for opioid-naïve patients.

Belbuca – This the newest formulation of buprenorphine available as a buccal film and indicated for the management of pain requiring around-the-clock, long-term opioid treatment not adequately controlled with alternatives. This reflects the new standard labeling required of all extended-release opioids indicated for chronic pain. There are a wide variety of dosages available, including 75 mcg, 150 mcg, 300 mcg, 450 mcg, 600 mcg, 750 mcg, and 900 mcg.

There are many different forms and dosages and strengths of buprenorphine to be considered. This will be dependent on your reaction, the reason for needing buprenorphine, how long you need the treatment, and many other factors.

Addiction Help With Buprenorphine

At Allure Detox, we can help you get started in the right direction with our Medication-Assisted Treatment. Our program is like a nourishing reset of our clients’ lives. It works for both the short and the long term. And by treating addiction as a physical condition, our opiate detox gets to the root of the problem without unnecessary moral judgment. Please call us today if your family is suffering from opiate addiction.