How Long Does Suboxone Block Opiates?

Suboxone is a prescription medication that contains buprenorphine and naloxone. It is one of the preferred treatments for opioid addiction because it can successfully alleviate opioid withdrawal symptoms and reduce drug cravings. If you are detoxing from opioids, your doctor may prescribe Suboxone, and instruct you to begin taking it 12-24 hours after your last dose of opioids.

Suboxone comes in the form of a sublingual film that dissolves under the tongue. Buprenorphine’s role is to occupy opioid receptors and reduce withdrawal symptoms, while naloxone discourages misuse of Suboxone. As a result, if you try to inject Suboxone, the naloxone will cause sudden and uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.

Not only does Suboxone treat opioid withdrawal symptoms and cravings, but it also blocks the effects of addictive opioids. If you take an opioid while Suboxone is in your system, you won’t be able to get high, because the buprenorphine will block all euphoric effects. Buprenorphine is effective at blocking opioid receptors for at least 24 hours, but in some people, the effects can last for 60 hours.

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What are Opiates?

Opiates, sometimes called opioids, are a class of drugs that have pain-relieving properties. Some of the most popular include heroin, fentanyl, morphine, codeine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone. Although opioids can effectively manage pain, they are only prescribed for short periods of time because they are highly addictive.

Opioids work by binding to the mu-opioid receptors in the brain and body. When binding to these receptors, opioids block pain signals that are sent from the brain to the body. They also release excess amounts of dopamine, a neurotransmitter responsible for decision-making and pleasure. The release of dopamine causes people to feel high and can reinforce drug-taking behaviors, thereby leading to addiction in some individuals.

How Does Suboxone Block the Effects of Opiates?

Suboxone is able to block the effects of opiate drugs because it contains buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist. Buprenorphine works by binding to and activating opioid receptors, but to a lesser degree than full opioids (such as heroin, fentanyl, or oxycodone). However, buprenorphine has an extremely high binding affinity, so when buprenorphine molecules occupy opioid receptors in the body, they bind so strongly that they prevent other opioids from being able to attach. When other opioids can’t attach themselves to opioid receptors, you can’t feel the usual effects of the opioid drugs.

For How Long Does Suboxone Block Opiates?

Suboxone blocks the effects of opioids (such as heroin, fentanyl, morphine, and oxycodone) for at least 24 hours. In some people, particularly those who take a high dose and have been taking it for long periods of time, Suboxone can block the effects of opiates for up to 60 hours. As a result, if an opioid drug is taken within 24 hours of a dose of Suboxone, the opioid’s effects will not be felt.

How Long Does Suboxone Last?

Suboxone is a daily medication and its effects are intended to last at least 24 hours. However, your age, weight, metabolism, dose, and history of opioid use can all impact how long the medication stays in your system. For example, if you are taking 1 mg of buprenorphine, the effects may last closer to 12 hours, but if you are taking 4 mg or 6 mg doses, the effects may last closer to 24 or 36 hours.

The dose you should take will be determined by your healthcare provider. Similarly, how long you take the medication will depend on your situation. Some people only take Suboxone while detoxing, while others take it for several months or years. In many cases, the longer people take Suboxone, the more successful they are in recovery.

What Other Medications Can Block the Effects of Opiates?

The buprenorphine component of Suboxone is what is responsible for blocking the effects of opiates, and any medication containing buprenorphine will do the same. Buprenorphine is available in a few different formulations, including:

Subutex (buprenorphine oral)
Sublocade (buprenorphine subcutaneous injection)

Subutex, like Suboxone, can block the effects of opiates for around 24 hours, depending on the dose. However, Sublocade is a once monthly injection with an extended-release mechanism, and it can block the effects of opiates for up to 28-30 days.

Find Out if Suboxone Treatment is Right For You

If you or a loved one suffer from an opioid use disorder, you might be wondering how you can get a prescription for Suboxone. There are several ways you can go about this, however, it is important to remember that you must use this medication in combination with a complete treatment program to fully recover from opioid addiction.

Programs like Moving Mountains Recovery Center can provide you with an in-depth assessment to determine what kind of opioid addiction treatment will benefit you the most.

To learn more about Suboxone treatment or to find help for yourself or a loved one, please contact us today.