You listened to various addictions like alcohol, smoking, nicotine, etc. Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a strong addiction among them that affects the brain and behavior. It occurs when taking opioid drugs like Heroin, Codeine, Tramadol, Hydrocodone, and Oxycodone more than prescribed for a long period. There are several treatments available: Methadone and Suboxone are the best treatment options, which are prescribed as medication-assisted treatment (MAT). These drugs are also opioid drugs and carry their own risks, thus using medications under medical supervision. In this blog, we will discuss the major differences between Methadone vs Suboxone, their effects, ingredients, and how they work.
Methadone vs Suboxone Pros & Cons: What You Need to Know Before Starting Treatment
What is Methadone?
Methadone is represented as a synthetic opioid medication that is used for both opioid use disorder and pain suppression. It functions by binding to the opioid receptor in the brain, which helps to relieve the pain and reduce withdrawal symptoms and craving of heroin or other opioids. Methadone has milder effects than other opioids that produce a stable level of the drug in the brain. It is manufactured in tablet and liquid form. It also expects various risks, such as
- respiratory depression
- sedation
- cognitive impairment
- severe physical dependency
What is Suboxone?
Suboxone is a composition medication; its main active substances such as buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is familiar as a partial opioid agonist that binds to the receptors but uses them very partially, which helps to low craving and withdrawal symptoms without producing euphoric effects like heroin and methadone. Naloxone is an opioid agonist or blocker that minimizes the risk of misuse. It has ceiling effects, which help to reduce the risk of overdose, thus Suboxone is most safest alternative option of Methadone. It is administered in sublingual film and sublingual tablet form.
What’s The Difference Between Methadone and Suboxone?
Most people ask, “Are Methadone and Suboxone the same?”. Answered is No, Methadone and suboxone are not paired. Both drugs are utilized for similar intentions, but their chemical composition, mechanisms of action, and treatment structures differ. In this section, we are discussing those factors that make both drugs different. Let’s see the Methadone vs Suboxone comparison in tablet form.
| Factors | Methodone | Suboxone |
| Drug Class | Full opioid agonist | Partial opioid agonist |
| Brand Name | Methadone Diskets, Methadose, Methadose Sugar-Free | It is the brand name of buprenorphine/naloxone |
| Uses | Pain management & OUD | Opioid Use Disorder |
| Administration | Tablet or liquid | Oral Pill |
| Dosing | Daily | Daily for Film or monthly for injection |
| Composition | Methadone hydrochloride | buprenorphine and naloxone |
| Duration of Action | Long-acting | relatively long-acting |
| Half-life | 30 hours | 37 hours |
| Controlled Substance | Schedule II | Schedule III |
| Methadone vs Suboxone cost | Less costly than Suboxone | Costlier than Methadone |
Methadone vs Suboxone Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
Both Methadone and Suboxone are designed to treat OUD and reduce the risk of overdose in terms of efficiency. But every medication has unique characteristics; thus, Methadone and suboxone treatment have two sides, such as advantages and disadvantages, that can help decide which medication is safe and more productive for you, Methadone or Suboxone.
Advantages of Methadone
- Craving Reduction: It is a major ability to control the cravings for opioids and block the euphoric effects of other opioids, such as heroin and prescription painkillers
Disadvantages of Methadone:
- High Abuse potnetial: it is also a full opioid agonist that produces euphoria, that more likely to be at risk of abuse than Suboxone.
- Daily doctor’s visit: Methadone treatment requires a daily doctor’s visit for supervised dosing.
- Potentially more side effects: Methadone has various side effects, including sedation and constipation, compared to Suboxone
Advantages of Suboxone
- Low Abuse Potential: Suboxone has ceiling effects for its active ingredient, buprenorphine, which is a partial opioid agonist. Thus, it has low abuse potnetial as compared to Methadone.
- Low Overdose Risk: Naloxone in Suboxone reduces the risk of overdose
- Take-Home dosing: In suboxone treatment, eligible for take-home Suboxone doses that offer more flexibility and convenience in recovery.
Disadvantages of Suboxone
- Misuse Potential: It is less abused than full opioid agonists, but also a chance of misuse of Suboxone.
- Less Effective: Suboxone is not as effective as Methadone for severe opioid addiction.
Methadone Vs Suboxone Side Effects
Misuse of the prescription drug leads to various risks and side effects. These side effects affect the quality of life. Before choosing any option for opioid use disorder, be aware of potnetial side effects.
Common side effects of Methadone
- Sedation
- Constipation
- Dry Mouth
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Weight Gain
- Sweating
- Erectile dysfunction
- Hypoventilation
Common Side Effects of Suboxone
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Headache
- Sweating
- Insomnia
- Anxiety or Irritability
- Mild Withdrawal Symptoms
Methadone vs Suboxone Withdrawal
Withdrawal symptoms of Methadone and Suboxone are similar, but the duration of withdrawal is different. Methadone’s withdrawal takes up to 28 hours after last use and remains in the system up to 20 days. Similarly, Suboxon’s withdrawal symptoms affect within 24 hours after the last dose and stay in the body up to 10 days. Some common withdrawal symptoms of Methadone and Suboxone, such as
- Myalgia
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Insomnia lasting for weeks
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Intense cravings
- Arthralgia issues
- Fatigue
- Irritability
Can You Take Methadone and Suboxone Together?
In certain cases, doctors can prescribe multiple medicines at the same time for managing various conditions. In this case, Methadone and Suboxone are approximately similar in effectiveness and level of risks. If you are taking both Methadone and Suboxone for a better and instant result, that is totally impractical. Both drugs can lead to overdose and several degenerative risks. Before taking any medicine, consult with the doctors.
Which is better, Methadone or Suboxone?
“Better” depends on the individual’s medical history, addiction, lifestyle, and treatment requirements. If you have mild or moderate opioid dependence and want more flexible treatment, reduce overdose risk with few side effects, then Suboxone is a better option for you. But if you have severe, long-term opioid addiction, then Methadone is a better option for you, but Methadone requires supervision, and it’s recommended to use during pregnancy. According to this difference between Methadone and Suboxone, Methadone is a better option for severe cases when Suboxone is not sufficient, while Suboxone is the first choice treatment due to safety and flexibility.
Conclusion
Methadone and Suboxone are productive options for opioid addiction, but they are recommended for different cases. Methadone is an impressive tool for severe opioid addiction that is used under strict supervision. Suboxone is a safe and accessible option for these people who are in the first stage of addiction. A better option is not about the medication’s effectiveness, which depends on the patient’s individual requirement.