The main difference between Suboxone and Methadone treatment is while methadone is used to treat chronic pain and opioid addiction, Suboxone is only approved to treat opioid dependence. Suboxone and Methadone are both opioids. Methadone is also a generic drug and Suboxone is the brand name of the medication buprenorphine/naloxone.
When deciding which drug to use, suboxone or methadone treatment can be confusing. Both drugs are opiates and help people stop using them. While both have certain benefits, there are differences between the two. Read on to learn more about the differences and the pros and cons of both. To find out which one is best for you, consider your circumstances and your doctor’s recommendations. Usually, methadone is the preferred choice because it is more effective than suboxone.
Methadone Maintenance Treatment vs Suboxone
Methadone is a prescription opioid that can be abused and is more commonly used for severe cases of opioid use disorder. This drug comes with high risk of overdose and is only available through approved methadone treatment programs. Suboxone is available as an oral film that is applied to the gums and under the tongue. You must visit a clinic every day or you will experience withdrawal symptoms. Fortunately, there are comprehensive outpatient clinics that combine intensive outpatient therapies with suboxone to help a person overcome addiction.
Methadone must be obtained from a certified addiction treatment program to avoid the dangers of addiction. The patient must attend the methadone clinic and be monitored closely by doctors who administer the methadone doses to them. Alternatively, you can use Suboxone without a clinic. This drug is easily available and you can take it at home between clinic visits. So, if you are struggling with an opioid addiction and are considering taking a new medication, consider Suboxone.
Among the differences between methadone and suboxone is the way it works. Methadone is a long-acting opioid that can replace shorter-acting opioids. This type of drug is not addictive and will last for 24 to 36 hours, while the former can last as little as four hours. The latter requires users to take it at specific times. Some people who take Suboxone need to be completely drug-free and have to take the medication three to four times per day.
The primary difference between methadone and suboxone treatment is based on the type of drug that is more effective. While methadone is an approved treatment for opiate addiction, it is still a highly-effective option for many individuals. It is a highly effective medication that can help those who have difficulty stopping using it. But, unlike methadone, it can also cause physical and psychological dependence.
Methadone is a synthetic opiate that has been approved for use in the United States. It has the advantage of being cheaper than methadone, but it does have its downsides. This drug has a higher chance of addiction than methadone and is more likely to cause relapse. This drug may also be more effective for severe cases of opioid dependence. If your goal is to treat methadone, it is the best option for you.
Both medications are a good option for treating opioid addiction. Methadone is a Schedule II drug, which is why it is not recommended for use in people with heart problems. Its potential to negatively impact the heart is much higher. Those who take it should be under the supervision of a doctor or physician. Neither drug is prescribed for chronic use. Nevertheless, they are both effective in treating opioid dependence.
Suboxone is not without its pitfalls. Its side effects are more pronounced than methadone, and it can interfere with other medications. While buprenorphine is not a habit-forming drug, it can interact with alcohol and benzodiazepines, which can interact with both medications. It can also interfere with other medicines that depress the central nervous system. Its side effects are also more severe than methadone.
Both methadone and suboxone have different side effects. While methadone is a partial agonist, it is not a full agonist. Combined, they have similar effects on the body. They relieve pain and reduce cravings for opioids. Moreover, both medications have the same risks. However, methadone is more expensive than suboxone. While methadone is effective for reducing the symptoms of opioid addiction, the risks are higher.
What Is Methadone?
Methadone is a medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat opioid use disorder (OUD) as a medication-assisted treatment (MAT), as well as for pain management. When taken as prescribed, methadone is safe and effective. Methadone helps individuals achieve and sustain recovery and to reclaim active and meaningful lives.
What is Buprenorphine?
Buprenorphine is a medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat opioid use disorder (OUD) as a medication-assisted treatment (MAT). As with all medications used in MAT, buprenorphine should be prescribed as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes counseling and other behavioral therapies to provide patients with a whole-person approach.
Buprenorphine offers several benefits to those with OUD and to others for whom treatment in a methadone clinic is not appropriate or is less convenient. The following buprenorphine products are FDA approved for the treatment of OUD:
- Generic Buprenorphine/naloxone sublingual tablets
- Buprenorphine sublingual tablets (Subutex)
- Buprenorphine/naloxone sublingual films (Suboxone)
- Buprenorphine/naloxone) sublingual tablets (Zubsolv)
- Buprenorphine/naloxone buccal film (Bunavail)
- Buprenorphine implants (Probuphine)
- Buprenorphine extended-release injection (Sublocade)
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