Looking for treatment? Call or text (888) 835-9995 to start care today — or return to the homepage.
The medication
Suboxone contains two active ingredients.
Suboxone is a brand-name medication containing buprenorphine and naloxone. It is FDA-approved for the treatment of opioid use disorder. The two components serve different roles — buprenorphine is the active treatment agent, and naloxone is included primarily to deter injection misuse.
Buprenorphine
A partial opioid agonist. It activates opioid receptors in the brain, but to a much lesser degree than full agonists like oxycodone, heroin, or fentanyl. This reduces withdrawal symptoms and cravings and has a lower euphoric effect than full agonists at therapeutic doses. It also has high receptor binding affinity, which means it can displace other opioids from receptors.
Naloxone
An opioid antagonist added to Suboxone as a deterrent against injection misuse. When Suboxone is taken as prescribed (dissolved under the tongue or in the cheek), the naloxone component is poorly absorbed and has minimal effect. If the medication is injected, the naloxone becomes more clinically relevant and may precipitate withdrawal in opioid-dependent individuals.
Forms and generics
Available formulations and equivalent medications.
Suboxone is available in two forms — sublingual film (dissolved under the tongue) and sublingual tablet. The film formulation is more commonly prescribed. Both contain the same active ingredients at the same ratios.
Generic buprenorphine/naloxone
Generic versions of Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone sublingual film and tablets) are available and FDA-approved as therapeutically equivalent. Generics are substantially less expensive than brand-name Suboxone and are widely used.
Subutex (buprenorphine-only)
Subutex was the original buprenorphine-only formulation — without naloxone. It is less commonly prescribed now and has been discontinued as a brand, though generic buprenorphine-only tablets remain available in selected clinical situations, including pregnancy and some naloxone-related contraindications.
Sublocade and Brixadi
Extended-release injectable buprenorphine formulations administered monthly or weekly by a clinician. These do not contain naloxone. See our page on Suboxone and Sublocade for more.
How it differs from other treatments
Suboxone vs. methadone vs. naltrexone.
All three are FDA-approved for opioid use disorder, but they work differently and have different access requirements.
vs. Methadone
Methadone for opioid use disorder is a full opioid agonist and is generally dispensed through federally regulated opioid treatment programs (OTPs), where patients often begin with frequent clinic visits. Buprenorphine can be prescribed in office-based settings and dispensed through retail pharmacies, subject to current federal and state rules.
vs. Naltrexone (Vivitrol)
Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist — it blocks opioid receptors entirely and requires complete opioid detoxification before starting. Buprenorphine does not require detoxification first and can be started while a patient is still opioid-dependent.
Sources
Where this information comes from.
FDA: Medications for Opioid Use Disorder
Official FDA overview of all approved medications including buprenorphine and naloxone components.
Federal overview of buprenorphine treatment, prescribing, and patient eligibility.
ASAM National Practice Guideline (2020)
The US standard of care for OUD — formulations, dosing, and patient management.