Suboxone vs Methadone: Which Opioid Use Treatment Is Right for You?

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace expert medical or mental health advice. So, always refer to a board-certified physician or a licensed mental health specialist to understand the uses and effects of methadone or suboxone.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 105,000 died from a drug overdose in 2023 in the U.S. - an estimated 80,000 of the deaths involved opioids. The opioid crisis has become a real threat to the society, with many people struggling with an opioid use disorder (OUD) every year. However, the encouraging news here is that it can be successfully treated with medication-assisted treatment. Methadone and suboxone are two of the three U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications for OUD. But which one is right for you? Read on to find out.

Methadone is a synthetic opioid agonist. It binds tightly to the opioid receptors in the brain and makes it difficult for other opioids to bind to these receptors. So, you do not feel the same sense of euphoria when you take other harmful opioids.

It also eases withdrawal symptoms and goes a long way in preventing relapse.

Suboxone is a combination of two opioid medications - buprenorphine and naloxone.

Buprenorphine stimulates the opioid receptors in the brain, but it has a ceiling effect. This means that once it reaches its highest potential, increasing the dosage does not lead to more euphoric effects. This way, it reduces craving and withdrawal symptoms.

Naloxone is an opioid antagonist. It blunts the effects of other opioids on the opioid receptors in the brain.

When suboxone is used for treating OUD, it binds to the opioid receptors in the brain and prevents other opioids from binding to these. It reduces their impact as well as the risk of overdose.

The similarities between suboxone vs methadone are as follows:

The differences between suboxone vs methadone are as follows:

When it comes to the benefits of suboxone vs methadone, they are similar in many ways:

It is important to note that studies show that treatment completion rates for suboxone increase by 1.5% when compared to methadone, and the number of deaths related to suboxone treatment was 2.5-fold smaller when compared to methadone treatment.

As suboxone and methadone are opioids, they do come with some risks and side effects of opioids.

The short-term side effects are:

• Anxiety
• Low mood
• Headaches
• Vomiting
• General malaise.

The long-term side effects of methadone are confusion, hallucinations, and sexual dysfunction. Meanwhile, suboxone can lead to respiratory depression.

It is also crucial to note that suboxone interacts with certain substances, which makes an overdose more likely. These are:

• Alcohol
• Antihistamine medications
• Hypnotics
• Sedative medications
• Methadone

Meanwhile, methadone interacts with many substances, making overdose a potential risk as well:

• Alcohol
• Anticonvulsants
• Antidepressants
• Antimycobacterials
• Antiretrovirals
• Antifungals
• Antiretrovirals
• Macrolide antibiotics
• St John's wort
• Grapefruit juice.

If you are on any other kind of prescription medication, drugs, or supplements, it is crucial for you to be open with your doctor or clinical team. Otherwise, suboxone or methadone can lead to dangerous interactions and even death.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Suboxone and methadone are opioids, so they come with a risk of physical dependence. What this means is that abruptly reducing or stopping their use can lead to withdrawal symptoms, such as:

• Anxiety
• Depressive symptoms
• Headaches
• Vomiting
• General malaise.

Both suboxone and methadone are effective treatments for OUDs, but they come with their benefits and risks. This is why they can only be prescribed by a board-certified physician or psychiatric practitioner, based on your medical history, needs, and symptoms.

Very broadly speaking - suboxone carries lower risks than methadone and is especially useful in reducing the risk of overdose. However, proper treatment depends on your unique clinical needs.

Methadone treatment is highly structured and involves daily clinic visits, whereas suboxone is more accessible and flexible. It can be prescribed even in the more remote settings that do not have access to daily clinic facilities. However, methadone is preferred in cases of severe dependence on opioids, as it has agonist properties.

Both methadone and buprenorphine are considered evidence-based treatment options during pregnancy. Buprenorphine has been linked in certain studies with lower rates or severity of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Medication decisions during pregnancy need to always be made in close referral with an obstetric and addiction specialist.

If you are struggling with an opioid use disorder and are unsure whether suboxone or methadone is right for you, NuView Treatment Center offers personalized, evidence-based care that enables you to make informed decisions.

Our outpatient programs focus on safety, flexibility, and lasting recovery - without disrupting your daily life.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at (323) 307-7997 to connect with our experts today!

How effective are suboxone and methadone?

Both suboxone and methadone are highly effective in achieving recovery from opioid use disorders - with significant and meaningful recovery rates.

Do suboxone or methadone treat cravings differently?

Yes, methadone tightly binds to opioid receptors and reduces the effect of other opioids, while suboxone stabilizes cravings with the help of a ceiling effect.

Will either medication affect my physical or mental health?

They are safe, but coordination with multiple specialists is crucial when psychiatric medications or other conditions are involved.

Can I switch from methadone to suboxone later?

Transitioning from methadone to buprenorphine requires careful timing, as it can precipitate withdrawal otherwise. Medical supervision is crucial.

How long does medication-assisted treatment last?

As opioid use disorder is a chronic condition, medication-assisted treatment is a longer-term treatment.