Suboxone Withdrawal Symptoms: Timeline, Effects, and Risks

Suboxone is a combination drug composed of Buprenorphine and Naloxone. Unlike Opioid agonists (Heroin) that hold the opioid receptors inside your brain captive, and cause distressing symptoms like slow heart rate, pressure, and respiration, it acts as a Partial Opioid Agonist. Buprenorphine, its active ingredient, doesn’t induce the same unsettling “high” as a full opioid agonist like heroin, but its long-term use can still lead to several psychological and neurological changes.

 Effects of Buprenorphine (Suboxone) on the Brain

Suboxone was formulated to help patients come off other dangerous opioid-like Heroin. It keeps opioid cravings at bay, helping the patient to keep himself sober and in control.

It has long been touted as an effective opioid addiction treatment in the scientific community. Some studies have also backed its utility as a chronic pain treatment drug.

So, how does this wonder drug work in our brain?

As I’ve already mentioned that Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist. It replaces and blocks harmful opioid molecules attached to the receptors inside your brain and helps assists the detoxification process. It establishes a strong foothold in your central nervous system, without inducing euphoric highs. This approach makes it a an effective suppressor of Heroin and other dangerous opioids.

Positive effects of Buprenorphine on the Brain

• Alleviates pain
• Keeps opioid cravings at bay
• Minimizes the possibility of opiate withdrawal symptoms

Negative or Side effects of Buprenorphine on the Brain (Risks)

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Difficulty breathing
• Reduced heart rate

Half-Life of Buprenorphine: Time Taken for it to leave the Body

According to the prestigious journal of Drug and Alcohol Dependence, the half-life of Buprenorphine is 24 hours. This means that it takes a day for Buprenorphine to leave your system. Its effects chime down shortly after that. And after 48 hours, the withdrawal symptoms start to manifest themselves.

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) recommends that people should not stop Suboxone use abruptly. This course of action can lead to distressing withdrawal symptoms. Only under the guidance and expert care of a Suboxone doctor should Suboxone use be gradually stopped. An Opioid rehab center that has an effective detox program can help you with this.

Suboxone Withdrawal Timeline

The NLM (National Library of Medicine) reports that the symptoms of Suboxone withdrawal are at their peak on the third day of its discontinued use, after which they take 3-5 days to taper off, and completely stabilize on day 10. These symptoms can be really disconcerting and intense, especially for a patient who has been on Suboxone for a long time.

Duration of Buprenorphine Effects

The duration of effects depends on the route of its administration. Buprenorphine, when taken orally, has limited bioavailability, meaning it is poorly absorbed in the body. Conversely, it's bioavailability spikes when it is taken in the form of tablets. Suboxone doctors prefer prescribing Suboxone tablets for this very reason.

• Buprenorphine Injection: The Pharmacological effects of Buprenorphine take more than 6 hours to subside when administered intramuscularly. When introduced directly into the bloodstream through the intravenous route, the effects disappear in a lesser time.
• Buprenorphine through the Sublingual route: The rate of Buprenorphine absorption from the sublingual route is slower as compared to other routes. Its effects peak after 200 minutes of ingestion through this route.

To get more information on Suboxone use, you can consult a Suboxone doctor. Our website suboxonedoctor.com has listings for Suboxone doctors throughout the US.

The Verdict

The transition from one opioid to another opioid (Suboxone) is not a thorough method of dealing with your opioid addiction. You need psychological counseling and support from your loved ones, in addition to effective medication, to really make strides in your opioid recovery journey. That’s why Suboxonedoctor.com recommends joining an opioid rehab program, which has all of these facilities in one place.