Suboxone is classified as Schedule III Drugs by the DEA
  • Drugs with a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence.
  • Abuse potential is less than Schedule I and Schedule II drugs but more than Schedule IV.

What is Suboxone?

Suboxone is a brand name prescription medication used to treat opioid use disorder. It is used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to help people reduce or quit their use of heroin or other opiates, such as pain relievers like morphine if used as directed. It contains a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. The buprenorphine is an opioid medication, but it eases cravings by not providing the same intense highs as other opiates.

Naloxone blocks the effects of opioid medication, discouraging misuse and minimizing the risk of overdose.

Click HERE to view SAMHSA’s Buprenorphine Practitioner Locator

What does Suboxone look like?

Suboxone comes in pill or strip form. The pills are five-sided and orange. The strips are
approximately the same size as breath strips and are also orange.

How is Suboxone abused?

Suboxone is taken orally in pill or strip form. Abusers will either crush the pills into a powder form to snort it or melt the powder down for injection.

How does Suboxone affect a person?

Buprenorphine is a partial opioid which causes less of an effect when it attaches to an opioid receptor in the brain. It produces a slightly pleasurable or energized sensation for those with an opioid addiction.

Naloxone is an opioid antagonist. When taken properly, naloxone is not absorbed into the bloodstream in any significant amount. If Suboxone is crushed and snorted or injected, it will travel rapidly to the opioid receptors and counteract any opioids already there. This can cause immediate and severe withdrawal symptoms.

What are the health effects/risks of using Suboxone?

Suboxone causes a mild sense of euphoria, calm and general well-being. There can be a perceived lack of worries and lower stress. Taking an increased amount of Suboxone in a short period, or when it is not being used to treat opioid addiction can cause sleepiness, confusion, nausea and respiratory depression.