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Suboxone for Long-Term Pain

Suboxone is the very first opioid medication that has been approved for the treatment of opioid dependence. This treatment is generally applied in a doctor's office, but Suboxone is also available for people to use at home.

  1. What it Does

    • Suboxone is given to people who are addicted to pain killers. Suboxone will help to suppress the withdrawal symptoms you are experiencing. It will also help decrease your craving for the pain killers.

    How it Works

    • When you use opiods, they attach to the mu receptors (also known as morphine receptors, located in the brain stem and Medial Thalamus. They are responsible for euphoria, sedation, etc. ). When they attach, dopamine is released. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is produced by the brain. This makes you feel the pleasure from the pills. When you start withdrawals, the receptors actually empty. The main ingredient in suboxone is buprenorphine. The buprenorphine will fill the receptors. It will then suppress your withdrawal and actually give you a limited euphoria. It will block the other opiates from being able to attach. So, it keeps you from having withdrawals.

    Duration of Treatment

    • The length you are on suboxone depends on your doctors and counselor. Some people stay on it months to a year. Other people stay on it a lifetime. You will have to see a counselor while on suboxone. They determine if you should use it for a short period of time or long period of time. If you stop prematurely, it can cause you to relapse or have withdrawal symptoms.

    Dosage

    • You should listen to your doctor carefully on how to take the suboxone. Most of the doses are going to be pills. You will have to let them dissolve under your tongue. You can not chew or swallow these pills.

    Side Effects

    • There are side effects to suboxone. You can actually become dependent on suboxone. Never stop taking it without consulting your doctor. Other side effects are: an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat, swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); slow breathing; dizziness or confusion; or liver problems such as yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark colored urine, light colored stools (bowel movements), decreased appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or lower stomach pain. You should always consult your doctor with these side effects.

    Other Side Effects

    • There are less serious side effects as well. They are: headache, pain, problems sleeping, nausea, sweating, stomach pain, or constipation. You should consult your doctor with these side effects as well. Do not stop taking suboxone, just call your doctor.

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