Tag: Subutex

In a 2024 study, 50% of patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) who received buprenorphine in the emergency department remained engaged in treatment after one month [1.4.1]. So, what is the street name for buprenorphine, and why is this medication so prevalent?

Medications like buprenorphine for opioid use disorder (OUD) are associated with a 60% reduction in overdose risk and mortality. This article explains **what type of opiate is buprenorphine** and why its distinct pharmacological properties make it a vital tool in treating opioid dependency with a reduced potential for overdose.

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), buprenorphine and all products containing it are classified as Schedule III controlled substances. This designation, established in 2002, signifies that while it has a currently accepted medical use, it carries a potential for abuse and dependence. Knowing **what is the DEA schedule for buprenorphine** is critical for healthcare providers, pharmacists, and patients to ensure proper handling and compliance with federal law.

While the brand-name Subutex was officially discontinued in 2011, manufacturers continue to produce generic **buprenorphine without naloxone** for specific medical needs. The landscape of addiction medicine has evolved significantly, with various formulations now available to address different patient requirements, from induction to long-term care.

In 2022, an estimated 9.3 million U.S. adults needed treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD), but only 25.1% received medications for it [1.6.4]. Amid this crisis, many ask: are they discontinuing buprenorphine, a key medication for OUD?

While Suboxone is the more common medication for treating opioid use disorder (OUD), containing both buprenorphine and naloxone, there are specific, critical scenarios where doctors must prescribe Subutex instead. The choice depends on pharmacological interactions, patient history, and unique physiological needs.

Suboxone and Subutex both contain the same primary active ingredient, buprenorphine, and are similarly effective when used as prescribed for opioid use disorder. However, the critical difference is Suboxone's inclusion of naloxone, an abuse deterrent.

Globally, millions of people are impacted by opioid use disorder, and effective medications like Subutex and methadone are critical for treatment. While both are FDA-approved for managing opioid addiction, is Subutex the same thing as methadone? The answer is no, and understanding their core differences is essential for effective treatment.

While Subutex was a US brand name for buprenorphine-only medication used in opioid dependence treatment, the brand has been discontinued, and Prefibin is a brand name for the same medication available in Europe. Therefore, to answer the question, 'is prefibin the same as Subutex?', the two are essentially identical drugs with the same active ingredient, buprenorphine, but are sold under different brand names in different regions.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), medications like buprenorphine are considered a gold-standard treatment for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). For those prescribed medication-assisted treatment, understanding what is the generic version of Subutex is important, as the brand name was discontinued in the U.S. and is only available generically.