Buprenorphine

What is buprenorphine?

Buprenorphine is an FDA-approved prescription medication for the treatment of opioid dependence. While buprenorphine is an opioid medication, it’s a partial opioid agonist. That means it’s weaker than opioids and can help cut cravings without leading to a more serious addiction.

You may experience feelings of euphoria while taking buprenorphine. However, unlike opioids, buprenorphine has a “ceiling effect,” meaning that at a certain level the effects level off. Even if you take a higher dose, you won’t feel an increase in effects, which makes buprenorphine less likely to be misused.  

Is buprenorphine a good medication for me?

Your specialist at 2nd Chance determines if buprenorphine should be part of your treatment plan after your initial consultation. To be considered, you must be diagnosed with an opioid use disorder or opioid dependence. Additionally, you must be willing to take the medication as prescribed and participate in behavioral therapy.

Buprenorphine is an effective treatment for opioid use disorder, but it’s not meant for everyone. Your specialist at 2nd Chance works one-on-one with you to develop the most effective treatment to help you recover from your addiction.

The specialists at 2nd Chance are well-versed in all the different types of buprenorphine medication used for the treatment of opioid use disorder and use the one that matches your specific needs. Buprenorphine medication includes Suboxone® and Subutex®. Suboxone contains buprenorphine and naloxone, which is a medication that helps stop opioid overdose, while Subutex only contains buprenorphine.

How do I get started on buprenorphine?

To get started on buprenorphine, you must first refrain from opioid use for 12-24 hours and be in the early stages of withdrawal. Your specialist determines your initial dose and monitors your reaction. Over time, your dose is adjusted until you reach a point where you’re completely off your opioid and only taking buprenorphine.

Once you’re stable, you and your specialist at 2nd Chance can determine how long you need to continue on the medication, which can be indefinite. If you decide you no longer want to take buprenorphine, then your specialist designs a weaning plan to help take you off the medication.

Opioid addiction requires careful medical care and management. To get the compassionate help you need, call 2nd Chance today or request an appointment online.