Suboxone™ is the first opioid medication approved under the Drug Addiction Treatment Act 2000 (DATA 2000) for the treatment of opiate addiction and dependence, in an office-based setting. Suboxone™ (and it's sister drug Subutex™) can also be dispensed for take-home use, just as any other medicine for the treatment of other medical conditions.

The primary active ingredient in Suboxone™ is buprenorphine.

Because buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, its opioid effects are limited compared with those produced by full opioid agonists, such as oxycodone or heroin. Suboxone™ also contains naloxone, an opioid antagonist.

The naloxone in Suboxone™ is there to discourage people from misusing the drug (i.e., dissolving the tablet and injecting it.) When Suboxone™ is used as directed (by placing the tablet under the tongue and allowing it to dissolve) very little naloxone reaches the bloodstream, so the patient primarily feels are the effects of the buprenorphine. However, if Suboxone™ is injected, the naloxone can cause that person to quickly go into withdrawal.

Suboxone™ taken as directed and at the appropriate dose may be used to:

• Suppress symptoms of opioid withdrawal
• Decrease cravings for opioids
• Reduce illicit opioid use
• Block the effects of other opioids
• Help patients stay in treatment