“What's the science behind Suboxone?”
I'm wondering how Suboxone works when treating opioid addiction, since my brother is on it to help him. What's the science behind Suboxone? How does it work?
3 Answers
Buprenorphine occupies the opioid receptors in the brain and blocks other opioids from attaching and causing any effect, while suppressing withdrawal symptoms and cravings for opioids. It differs from methadone in that it does not fully stimulate the receptor and so has practically no risk of overdose and respiratory depression.
Buprenorphine (Suboxone) is a partial opioid agonist. It relieves the intense craving for opiates and the symptoms of opioid withdrawal without causing the euphoria and respiratory depression of full-agonist opioids. It's like switching from regular soda to diet soda or from ice cream to frozen yogurt. It can be used as a step towards abstinence or for long-term maintenance.
There is a TON of information on the internet about your question. I'd suggest entering "What's the science behind Suboxone" into a Google search. Click on the articles from the NIH to get the most reliable results. Bottom line: there's abundant evidence Suboxone works very well indeed for addicts who are willing to actually take it.
