The Effects of Subutex Misuse

Subutex is the trade name for buprenorphine hydrochloride, an FDA-approved medication used in treating withdrawal symptoms of addiction to opiates such as heroin, morphine and oxycodone. It is currently the only alternative to methadone for both detox and maintenance treatment for opiate addiction. The drug can be useful in helping a former addict regain control of her life; however, if misused, subutex can be dangerous.

Function

• Subutex is usually administered for the first few days of treatment for opiate withdrawal, according to the FDA. Another medication called suboxone (buprenorphine HCl with naloxone) is usually prescribed after the initial phase of withdrawal treatment. Suboxone contains an opiate antagonist called naloxone, which prevents users from experiencing a "high" or "rush," should they try to abuse the drug by injection or insufflation (snorting).

Effects

• Subutex, as a synthetic opioid more than 10 times more potent than morphine, eases opiate withdrawal by occupying the opiate receptors in the brain. Depending on how heavy the addicted person's habit was, the medication may provide relief from withdrawal, or may produce a strong high. Like methadone, however, subutex can be misused by users attempting to increase the effects.

Considerations of Misuse

• Some subutex users may dissolve the pill and inject it, in an attempt to achieve a rush similar to that of the opiate drug they previously abused. This is a dangerous practice, since subutex comes in a pill form. Pills are meant to be absorbed through the digestive tract, and contain various filler materials meant to be digested. When injected, these filler ingredients can cause severe damage to the veins and can create abscesses in the spaces between the veins, which could lead to serious infection, loss of veins and limbs.

Other Considerations

• Another danger of misusing subutex either by injecting, taking more than prescribed or combining the medication with benzodiazepine sedatives such as xanax or ativan, is overdose. Buprenorphine is a potent synthetic opioid which can cause overdose just like heroin or morphine. Symptoms of subutex overdose include weak pulse, drastically reduced breathing, coma and death.

Warning

• Subutex is only available through a doctor's prescription. Never take subutex that is not prescribed to you, or share subutex with others who are not prescribed it. If you suspect you or someone else has overdosed on subutex, contact the emergency services immediately.