Suboxone, (sub-OX-own) is a prescription name of (buprenorphine HCI/naloxone HCI dehydrate, sublingual tablet). Sublingual merely indicates that the pill is put under the tongue and allowed to melt. Suboxone is actually a combination of 2 medicines. The first is buprenorphine (BYOO-pruh-NOR-feen) which is a painkiller. It relieves pain similar to morphine, heroin and methadone but without the ‘intense high’. The second medication is naloxone (nal-OX-own). Naloxone is added to keep people from injecting Suboxone. If the tablet is put under the tongue to melt and be absorbed into the system, the naloxone does not affect the buprenorphine. If the pill is crushed and mixed with a liquid to be injected, the Naloxone blocks the effects of the buprenorphine. If this medication is injected it will likely cause severe withdrawal symptoms. If mixed with a tranquilizer and injected it can cause death.
Suboxone is prescribed to treat narcotic (opioid) dependence. Buprenorphine is actually a type narcotic itself and as such it prevents withdrawal symptoms. It is intended to be used as part of a complete narcotic dependence treatment plan. Periodic blood tests, including liver function, should be done to monitor your progress and to check for side effects.
Do not take this drug unless it was prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or nursing. Possible side effects include feeling faint, dizzy, confused, slow breathing or any other unusual symptom. The medication can cause liver problems. It can cause a drop in blood pressure causing you to feel dizzy if you stand up too fast. It can also cause allergic reactions making it difficult to breathe, hives, swelling of your face, asthma type wheezing of shock. If you have any of these side effects notify your doctor immediately. Some more common lesser side effects are headache, pain, sleep problems, nausea, sweating, stomach pain and constipation.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Suboxone seems to be enjoying an upsurge in Las Vegas, due in part to the high incidence of opiate addiction locally. It seems that Southern Nevada doctors prescribe opiates in far greater numbers than do physicians in other parts of the country.
ReplyDeleteThat was pretty ingenious to come up with a 2nd ingredient that stops the effects when the tablet is crushed. I guess that doesn't stop them from abusing it in other ways.
ReplyDeleteI never knew, or didn't think about the fact that people could mix drugs for injection too. I lead a pretty sheltered life and was never subjected to alcohol or drug use. It just blows me away to think of the number of people wasting their lives with drugs.
ReplyDeleteI've noticed that the side effects on a lot of drugs say that they may cause liver damage. Are there any drugs that don't cause liver damage? How much damage can the liver take without failing?
ReplyDeleteI was wondering that too Susanna. I also want to know if the liver can heal too, or regenerate if necessary.
ReplyDeleteIs there no end to the list of drugs that are being abused today? I'm afraid to take anything anymore.
ReplyDelete