Compare methadone vs. Suboxone
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Treats severe pain or drug dependence.
Methadose (methadone) is a cheap and effective treatment for severe chronic pain, but has serious risks for fatal overdose and drug dependence.
Treats opioid addiction.
Suboxone (buprenorphine / naloxone) works well to reduce cravings and treat opioid dependence. It's most effective if you have an addiction to heroin or short-acting opioids.
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4.0/ 5 average rating with 35 reviewsforSuboxone
Upsides
- Available as a cheap, generic version.
- One of the stronger opioid medicines for treatment of severe pain.
- Can also be used to treat opioid dependence as part of a complete recovery program.
- Suboxone (buprenorphine / naloxone) works best for people addicted to short-acting opioids or heroin.
- Your doctor can adjust the dose to a level that controls withdrawal symptoms until you're stable.
- Suboxone (buprenorphine / naloxone) has fewer side effects and drug interactions compared to other similar medicines.
Downsides
- Methadose (methadone) can cause slowed breathing, coma, and death from overdose, especially if mixed with alcohol, sleeping pills, or muscle relaxants.
- Constipation is a common side effect of Methadose (methadone) and you might need laxatives or stool softeners.
- Not a good option for short-term pain relief.
- Suboxone (buprenorphine / naloxone) is not as good for people who are dependent on long-acting opioids or methadone because of the risk of a long withdrawal.
- Like all opioids, it can cause slowed breathing, coma, and death from overdose, especially if you mix with other depressants, like pain medicine or alcohol.
- You have to be very careful with your dose. Changing the size or strength of a film can affect the amount of drug absorbed into your body, and could cause under- or over-dosing.
- The film can cause reduced sensation in your mouth, painful burning tongue, or burning mouth syndrome.
- The film may not be appropriate for you if you have lung disease.
Used for
- Moderate to severe pain
- Opioid dependence
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Dissolving tablet
- Liquid
- Pill
- Sublingual film
- Dissolving tablet
Price
Lowest price
$18.50
Find instant savings near youLowest price
$270.29
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Reviews
Not enough review data.Leave a review
35 reviews so far
80%
saidit'sworth it
66%
saiditworked well
0%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Suboxone (buprenorphine / naloxone)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
The Methadose (methadone) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
16possible side effects
- Headache36%
- Withdrawal25%
- Pain22%
- Nausea15%
- Difficulty sleeping14%
- Sweating14%
- Constipation12%
- Stomach pain11%
- Dilation of blood vessels9%
- Chills8%
- Vomiting8%
- Weakness7%
- Infection6%
- Hay fever5%
- Back pain4%
- Diarrhea4%
Risks and risk factors
- Death from lack of oxygen to the body (respiratory depression)
- Start of treatment
- Age 65 or greater
- Dose changes and higher doses
- Heart problems (arrhythmia)
- History of cardiovascular disease
- Driving impairment
- Taking Methadose (methadone) with alcohol
- Taking other medicines that make you less alert
- Death from overdose
- Children age 18 and younger
- Taking more than prescribed dose
- Mixing with alcohol or drugs that interact with Methadose (methadone)
- Abuse, tolerance, and addiction
- Taking more than the prescribed dose
- Long-term use
- History of drug abuse or mental illness
- Low blood pressure
- Cardiovascular disease
- dehydration
- taking drugs that lower blood pressure
- Liver failure
- Liver disease
- Hepatitis B and C
- Taking Suboxone (buprenorphine / naloxone) with other drugs that cause liver damage
- Severe allergic reactions
- Respiratory depression
- Taking with alcohol or other drugs that slow the nervous system
- Lung disease
- Unintentional child exposure
- Driving impairment
- Taking with alcohol
- Taking other medicines that make you less alert