Suboxone.com - How SUBOXONE Works

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

On December 8, 2006, Federal legislation was passed allowing physicians to treat up to 100 opioid dependent patients with Suboxone at any given time—a significant increase from the previous limit of 30 patients.

There may be doctors in your area participating in a study to measure opioid dependence treatment outcomes. Patients who meet the eligibility requirements to participate in this study can receive up to $225 in compensation to complete surveys about their treatment.

NOTE: This study is only open to patients not currently under the care of a physician for opioid dependence and are seeking a treatment provider.

Please call 1-866-455-8876 between 9:00 AM to 7:30 PM EST to get more information.

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How SUBOXONE Works

1.	When opioids attach to the mu receptors, dopamine is released, causing pleasurable feelings to be produced.^1,2

2.	As opioids leave the receptors, pleasurable feelings fade and withdrawal symptoms (and possibly cravings) begin.¹

3.	Opioids continue leaving the mu receptors until the person is in a mild-to-moderate state of withdrawal. At this point, SUBOXONE therapy can begin.

4.	The primary active ingredient in SUBOXONE—buprenorphine—attaches to the empty opioid receptors, suppressing withdrawal symptoms and reducing cravings.¹ As a partial opioid agonist, SUBOXONE works by controlling withdrawal symptoms and cravings and produces a limited euphoria or "high."¹

5.	Buprenorphine attaches firmly to the receptors. At adequate maintenance doses, buprenorphine fills most receptors and blocks other opioids from attaching. Buprenorphine has a long duration of action, so its effects do not wear off quickly.

References

1.	Johnson RE, Strain EC, Amass L. Buprenorphine: how to use it right. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2003;70(suppl 2):S59-S77.
2.	Walsh SL, Eissenberg T. The clinical pharmacology of buprenorphine: extrapolating from the laboratory to the clinic. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2003;70(suppl 2):S13-S27.

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Important Safety Information

SUBOXONE® (buprenorphine HCl/naloxone HCl dihydrate sublingual tablets) (CIII) is indicated for the treatment of opioid dependence.

It is extremely dangerous to take benzodiazepines or other depressants while taking SUBOXONE. A serious overdose and death may occur if benzodiazepines, sedatives, tranquilizers, antidepressants, or alcohol are taken at the same time as SUBOXONE.

SUBOXONE has potential for abuse and produces dependence of the opioid type, with a milder withdrawal syndrome than full agonists.

Cytolytic hepatitis and hepatitis with jaundice have been observed in the addicted population receiving buprenorphine.

Allergic reactions including bronchospasm, angioneurotic edema, and anaphylactic shock have been reported in patients taking buprenorphine.

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of SUBOXONE (a Category C medication) in pregnancy.

Caution should be exercised when driving cars or operating machinery.

Always store buprenorphine-containing medications safely and out of the reach and sight of children. Destroy any unused medication appropriately.

The most commonly reported adverse events with SUBOXONE include: headache (36%, placebo 22%), withdrawal syndrome (25%, placebo 37%), pain (22%, placebo 19%), insomnia (14%, placebo 16%), nausea (15%, placebo 11%), and constipation (12%, placebo 3%). Please see full Prescribing Information for a complete list.

To report an adverse event caused by taking SUBOXONE, please call 1-877-782-6966. You are also encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.