Compelling evidence shows that suboxone is similar to methadone in efficiency for opiate detoxification and maintenance but safer than methadone in an overdose situation. The Drug Abuse Treatment Act of 2000 (DATA 2000) enabled US doctors with additional training to prescribe suboxone to patients who are addicted to pain killers. These sublingual pills Subutex (buprenorphine alone) and Suboxone (a combination ofsuboxone and naloxone) meet the specifications of DATA 2000. Suboxone is prescribed to help with opiate withdrawl symptoms and has less abuse potential thansuboxone alone. Suboxone is generally recommended for detox treatment except for women who are pregnant. Subutex is recommended in detox treatment of pregnant women. Although suboxone alone or in combination with naloxone has less potential for abuse than heroin and some prescription opiates, such as oxycodone. Information from physicians' offices makes suboxone treatment acceptable to some opiate-dependent patients who would not accept treatment in traditional opiate-maintenance clinics. For reasons not adequately understood, some patients find discontinuation of suboxone following long-term use difficult. This article reviews the pharmacology of suboxone, summarizes evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of suboxone and provides clinical guidelines for treatment.


