Compare Suboxone vs. Morphine Sulfate
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.
Ms Contin (Morphine Sulfate) provides good long-term pain control without the need to take medicine frequently, but watch out for constipation.
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3.5/ 5 average rating with 541 reviewsforMorphine Sulfate
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.
- Provides longer relieve for moderate to severe pain to improve quality of life.
- Good for chronic pain that requires around-the-clock relief.
- Might have fewer side effects than other opioid pain relievers.
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.
- Doesn't work for as-needed or quick pain relief.
- Dizziness and drowsiness is common, but your body may adjust.
- Everyone will get constipation - always stay hydrated and take stool softener or stimulant on days you're taking Ms Contin (Morphine Sulfate) if you need.
- Long term use will likely cause physical dependence.
- Must be weaned slowly off the medicine after use longer than 2 weeks.
Used for
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Sublingual film
- Dissolving tablet
- Pill
- Extended release
- Oral solution
- Liquid
- Suppository
Price
Lowest price
$19.39
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$136.12
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Reviews
35 reviews so far
80%
saidit'sworth it
66%
saiditworked well
0%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Suboxone (buprenorphine / naloxone)?
Leave a review541 reviews so far
55%
saidit'sworth it
43%
saiditworked well
20%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Ms Contin (Morphine Sulfate)?
Leave a reviewSide 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%
The Ms Contin (Morphine Sulfate) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
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
- Death from lack of oxygen to the body (respiratory depression)
- Current use of medicine that affects liver enzyme CYP 3A4
- Age 65 or greater
- Higher dose
- People with not enough thyroid hormones
- History of lung problems
- Death from overdose
- Children age 18 and younger
- Death in newborn babies from opioid withdrawal (Neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome)
- Long-term use during pregnancy
- Tolerance, dependence, and addiction
- Taking more than the prescribed dose
- Long-term use
- History of drug abuse
- Driving impairment
- Taking with alcohol
- Taking other medicines that make you less alert
- Age 65 or greater
- Low blood pressure
- Age 65 years or older