Compare Suboxone vs. Butrans
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
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
Treats severe pain around the clock.
Butrans (buprenorphine) is effective for treating severe pain around-the-clock, but it has a high potential for abuse and misuse.
Upsides
- 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.
- Butrans (buprenorphine) comes in a patch form and only needs to be changed once every 7 days.
- Butrans (buprenorphine) works around-the-clock to help relieve pain.
- The Butrans (buprenorphine) patch can be applied on up to 8 different areas of the body.
Downsides
- 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.
- Butrans (buprenorphine) takes about half a day to start kicking in.
- Butrans (buprenorphine) has a high potential for misuse and abuse.
- Butrans (buprenorphine) can cause life-threatening breathing problems, even when used at the correct dose.
- Older people shouldn't take Butrans (buprenorphine) due to its effects on blood pressure.
- Other pain relievers may be needed for breakthrough pain.
Used for
- Pain management
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Sublingual film
- Dissolving tablet
- Patch
Price
Lowest price
$19.39
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$86.90
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Reviews
35 reviews so far
80%
saidit'sworth it
66%
saiditworked well
0%
saidit'sa big hassle
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Side effects
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%
15possible side effects
- Nausea21%
- Application site itchiness15%
- Dizziness15%
- Headache14%
- Sleepiness13%
- Constipation13%
- Vomiting9%
- Application site redness7%
- Application site rash6%
- Dry mouth6%
- Tiredness5%
- Excessive sweating4%
- Accumulation of fluid in arms and legs3%
- Itching3%
- Stomach discomfort2%
Risks and risk factors
- 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
- Potential for addiction, abuse, and misuse
- Personal or family history of substance abuse
- History of mental illness
- Life-threatening effects on breathing
- Children
- Those who overdose on Butrans (buprenorphine)
- Use with other medications that slow down breathing
- Harm to fetus or newborn baby
- Pregnant women who use Butrans (buprenorphine) for a long period of time
- Interactions with other medicines
- Taking other medications that also cause sleepiness and/or slow down breathing
- Severe allergic reaction
- Risk of possible overdose and death
- Exposure to the sun or an external source of heat for a long period of time