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What Is The Purpose Of Suboxone?

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Posted on Fri, 6 Jan 2017
Question: I am trying to find out about a drug my daughter takes. I just want to know what it is for and what side effects and so on but I don't know how to spell it. It sounds like suboxin

doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (34 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Suboxone

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I think the medication you are referring to may be Suboxone. Suboxone is a combination of two medications: buprenorphine, which is a opiate derivative, and naloxone, which in an opiate blocker.

Suboxone is usually used for people with opiate dependence such as from physical dependence from pain killers. It helps people who are dependent o opiates to withdraw without a lot of withdrawal symptoms.

Possible side effects include:
tongue pain, redness or numbness inside the mouth
constipation, mild nausea, vomiting
headache or other pain
insomnia
increased sweating

I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (28 hours later)
Thank you so much for replying to my questions. I really appreciate it. One more and that's it. Is it true that only certain Dr.s are allowed to write a script for this particular drug? ( Suboxone)
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
Yes, to prescribe it to treat opioid dependence/addiction, a doctor needs to have training and then apply for a special DEA license.

To prescribe Suboxone for opioid addiction treatment (which is what the FDA has approved it for), doctors must take an 8-hour class on addiction treatment, or already possess such credentials, and then apply for a special DEA number. Once they obtain their # they are limited to treating only 30 patients at a time.

However, Suboxone is sometimes used to treat pain. For this, any doctor with a DEA number (which most have) can prescribe it without special training. But this use of Suboxone is not approved by the FDA. It is not that the FDA is opposed to this, it's that the drug isn't officially designated for this purpose.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3134 Questions

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What Is The Purpose Of Suboxone?

Brief Answer: Suboxone Detailed Answer: Hello, I think the medication you are referring to may be Suboxone. Suboxone is a combination of two medications: buprenorphine, which is a opiate derivative, and naloxone, which in an opiate blocker. Suboxone is usually used for people with opiate dependence such as from physical dependence from pain killers. It helps people who are dependent o opiates to withdraw without a lot of withdrawal symptoms. Possible side effects include: tongue pain, redness or numbness inside the mouth constipation, mild nausea, vomiting headache or other pain insomnia increased sweating I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.