With an increasing amount of treatment options available for opioid addiction combined with a lack of educational materials, I decided to put together a comprehensive breakdown of the pros and cons of each.
Buprenorphine
- Suboxone (film)
- Zubsolv (tablet)
- Subutex (tablet)
- Buprenorphine/Naloxone(generic tablet)
- Sublocade (monthly injection)
- Probuphine (6 month implant)
- PROS
- Safest option
- Daily administration not required
- Multiple formulations available
- Easiest opioid to wean off
- Does not cause euphoria
- Less abuse potential
- Injection and implant options providing long term coverage
- CONS
- Tastes bad
- Oral form takes time to dissolve in mouth
- Some of the formulations can be expensive
- Weak pain reliever
- Blocks other opioids presenting a challenge when treating acute pain
- Requires moderate withdrawal before starting
Methadone
- Liquid form
- Tablet form
- PROS
- As effective as buprenorphine
- Better pain relief than buprenorphine
- Cheaper
- Often provided on conjunction with counseling
- CONS
- Potential for dangerous interactions and side effects
- Often requires daily visits to methadone clinics
- Harder to wean from
- May continue to use other illicit opioids
Naltrexone
- Vivitrol (monthly injection)
- Oral naltrexone (tablet)
- PROS
- Not an opioid
- Prevents relapse
- May be more effective at blocking cravings
- CONS
- Requires 7 day abstinence from all opioids before starting
- Blocks all opioids creating a challenge for control of acute pain
- Injection is expensive
- Potential for unpleasant side effects
- Increase potential to overdose on opioids
Need Some Help?
If you’re unsure which option is the best for you, or how to move forward effectively treating your opioid dependence, feel free to reach out.
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