What is Subutex?

Subutex is the brand version of the generic drug, named – Buprenorphine. The generic version of this drug is approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). There shall be other generic forms of the same drug available in the market at the same product quality.

This medication falls under the group of drugs that are commonly known as opioids or narcotic drugs. The category of these drugs works in a similar manner. It further means that your doctor will provide any of these drugs, depending on your physical and mental health condition.

What is The Use of Subutex?

The work of Subutex is to act as a medication for pain inside a human body. This medicine comes in the form of oral/sublingual tablets. These tablets are used by putting it under the tongue and let it get dissolved. It is important that you take the drug as you are told, or it may not have a complete effect on your system.

A sublingual form of Subutex is not prescribed to be taken as a medication for pain. The generic form of this drug or other of its forms can be taken to treat moderate to severe pain. Apart from this, patients are also given for the use of Subutex as a treatment for opioid dependence. There can also be other uses of Subutex that a patient may be prescribed by a health expert.

Facts Related To Subutex –

• Subutex, as a form of the drug, was approved by the FDA in the year 2002. This was further processed after going through clinical tests.
• In the year 2009, the FDA approved a generic version of Subutex.
• Sublingual tablets of Subutex are not prescribed as a medication for pain.

How Do Subutex Works?

The drugs work differently and in three unique ways. This drug has distinct pharmacological properties that help to manage –

1. The drug helps to suppress or decrease the potential for misuse of the drug.
2. The drug diminishes the physical dependency of opioid drugs. It may also include withdrawal symptoms or an urge to take the drug.
3. When you overdose on a drug, Subutex helps to increase safety with the use of medicine.

What Are The Side Effects of Subutex?

Although Subutex is taken to overcome the dependency of opioid drugs, the side effects of this are similar to that of opioid drugs. Any opioid drug has the tendency to slow down your breaths or even stop breathing. In severe cases, it may have affected your health and result in fatal side effects.

Some of the common side effects of Subutex are mentioned below –

• Constipation
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Sweating
• Pain in body parts
• Sleeping issues

There may also be other common side effects of Subutex that may happen at the initial stage of taking the drug. Severe side effects of Subutex are listed below –

• Increased sweating
• Runny nose
• Watery eyes
• Diarrhea
• Muscle pain
• Noisy breathing
• Shallow breaths
• Slow heartbeat
• Weak pulse
• Feeling lightheaded
• Pain in the chest
• Trouble in breathing
• Loss of appetite
• Tiredness or weakness
• Lack of coordination
• Shivering
• Fast heart rate
• Fever
• Hallucinations
• Other mental issues

It is not necessary that only these side effects may happen to take place. There can also be other severe aftereffects of Subutex that may be fatal. It has been rare that these severe side effects of Subutex may end up being deadly.

However, if you notice any of these signs are taking place inside your body, you must immediately inform the doctor. There might also be allergic reactions that may emerge. These could be – difficulty in breathing, swelling up on the lips or other facials parts, hives, and rashes on the skin.

Safety Measures –

Before you start taking Subutex or Buprenorphine, have a look at the safety measures. These will help you to stay on the safe side while you are using the drug.

Below we have listed them –

• Do not take Subutex without talking to a health expert. The drug is an opioid and can cause severe side effects on a person’s health.
• Follow the instructions that are given in a prescription form of the drug. Take the drug exactly as it is provided by the health expert.
• Do not overdose on Subutex and also do not misuse it by taking it otherwise. Misuse of an opioid drug may even result in death.
• Keep this medication out of reach from drug abusers.
• Do not share your dose of Subutex with any other person. If the person seems to be going through the same symptoms as you are, tell him/her to see a doctor. When a doctor prescribes you a dose of Subutex, he/she has studied your internal system, and as per that, the dosage is provided to you.
• It is restricted to take alcohol along with Subutex. Doing so will result in drowsiness and may also slow down your breaths.
• Do not take Subutex if you are taking any other medicine from earlier.
• Inform your health expert if you are suffering from a severe health disease or disorder.