Suboxone strips are an FDA-approved medication used to treat people with Opioid Use Disorder.
They can be used as part of a treatment plan for opioid addiction – often referred to as medication-assisted treatment (MAT) – and help to minimize opioid withdrawal symptoms and cravings resulting from addiction to illicit and prescription opioids.
In this article, we’ll explore:
- What Suboxone strips are
- The benefits of Suboxone strips
- How to acquire Suboxone strips, and the proper dosages
- Side effects of Suboxone strips, and who shouldn’t use them.
Let’s get started.
What are Suboxone Strips?
Suboxone films or strips are comprised of two active ingredients: Buprenorphine and naloxone.
Buprenorphine works as a partial opioid receptor agonist. This means that it binds to the same place other opioids such as heroin and morphine do to minimize withdrawal symptoms from these drugs.
On the other hand, Naloxone is an opioid antagonist, which means that it blocks the effect of other stronger opioid drugs.
The Benefits of Suboxone Strips
Accurate dosage administration
Suboxone films, also called strips, are pre-made with specific doses of both buprenorphine and naloxone. This means that you will not need to measure out your own doses or mix the two ingredients together, ultimately reducing the risk of dosing errors.
Dissolves easily for ingestion
Suboxone strips are designed to be placed under your tongue, and will fully dissolve between 5-10 minutes. This makes it highly convenient and means that their absorption is not reliant on your digestive system or any food and water ingestion.
Reduced risk of diversion
Because of Suboxone’s formulation, taking multiple doses of the medication will not result in euphoric effects.
One of its active ingredients, Naloxone, is an opioid antagonist. It stops the binding of high levels of the medication, preventing its abuse and addictiveness.
The films or strips also have the added benefit of discouraging methods of misuse. For example, the strips cannot be crushed or injected in the same way tablets can.
Discreet and portable
Suboxone strips are very small and inconspicuous, meaning they can be carried around and stored more discreetly than sublingual tablets, for example.
No need for water or special storage
Unlike tablets, Suboxone strips do not need to be taken with water. They are also easily stored, making them highly convenient when traveling or commuting.
Precise medication tracking
Suboxone strips are pre-packaged with specific doses so that people taking the medication and healthcare providers can accurately track the amount of Suboxone taken. This helps prescribe the right dose to minimize opioid withdrawal symptoms and control cravings.
Minimized contact with hands
Suboxone strips do not need to be tinkered with before being taken, minimizing any contact with hands. They are simply placed under the tongue to be dissolved by themselves.
Flexible dosing options
Suboxone strips are made in numerous different strengths. This allows healthcare providers to customize and adjust the dose based on the person’s level of opioid dependence and withdrawal symptoms.
Gradual tapering feasibility
Because of this adjustable dose, the dose can be slowly tapered off with the help of a healthcare professional. This depends on how well the withdrawal symptoms are being tolerated.
How To Get A Suboxone Strip
Suboxone strips need to be prescribed by a licensed doctor. Doctors with a DEA registration are able to prescribe Suboxone strips. When meeting with a doctor, you can ask to be prescribed a Suboxone strip instead of a tablet.
It is important to use Suboxone under medical supervision. A healthcare professional will help you take the medication properly and prescribe you the correct dose. They will also monitor for any side effects and ensure that the medication is safe for you to continue using.
Who Should Not Use Suboxone Strips?
Suboxone strips are not recommended for everyone. They should not be used in people with:
- People who have had severe allergic reactions to the medication
- People with highly compromised respiratory function
- People who have never taken opioids before
- People with severe liver disease
- People with defective adrenal glands
- People who have not been prescribed Suboxone strips by a doctor.
The Dosage and Administration of Suboxone Strips
Suboxone strips can be prescribed by a DEA-licensed doctor. Your doctor will prescribe the correct dose for you, based on the level of opioid dependence and withdrawal symptoms.
Doses include:
- Buprenorphine 2 mg/naloxone 0.5 mg
- Buprenorphine 4 mg/naloxone 1 mg
- Buprenorphine 8 mg/naloxone 2 mg
- Buprenorphine 12 mg/naloxone 3 mg.
The Potential Side Effects of Suboxone Strips
Like any medication, there are some potential side effects of taking Suboxone strips. It is important to consult with a doctor when taking Suboxone strips and to attend follow-up appointments to monitor for any side effects.
Some common side effects may include:
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Anxiety and irritability
- Slurred speech
- Allergic reactions.
The Cost and Availability of Suboxone Strips
Suboxone strips are widely available, once prescribed. Although they do incur a cost, there are many ways to get financial support to cover the cost of the strips.
For example, Medicaid or private healthcare insurance often subsidizes the cost of the medication. Other financial programs include The INSUPPORT ® Copay Assistance Program or grants such as the SAMHSA grant.
Out-of-Pocket Cost of Sublingual Strips
- $170 for 30 sublingual films of 2mg-0.5mg
- $300 for 30 sublingual films of 4mg-1mg
- $300 for 30 sublingual films of 8mg-2mg
- $580 for 30 sublingual films of 12mg-3mg.
How Long Do Suboxone Strips Stay in Your System?
Suboxone films are usually taken once daily. However, the amount of time that Suboxone stays in your system depends on a variety of factors such as age, sex, frequency of use, and dose.
Buprenorphine – one of the main active ingredients in Suboxone films – can take just over a week to be fully eliminated.
Conclusion
Suboxone films or strips are a convenient way to minimize opioid withdrawal symptoms and opioid cravings. It is important to work with licensed healthcare providers to receive the right medical advice and to regularly keep in touch to monitor for side effects.
By utilizing Suboxone strips alongside other treatment modes such as behavioral therapy, opioid addiction can be effectively managed.
References
- https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2010/022410s000lbl.pdf
- https://www.suboxone.com/pdfs/prescribing-information.pdf
- https://www.suboxone.com
- https://www.samhsa.gov/grants/block-grants
- https://americanaddictioncenters.org/suboxone/how-long-in-system
