The Difference Between Suboxone and Methadone

The difference between Suboxone and Methadone is that Suboxone is a long-acting opioid agonist and Methadone is a short-acting opioid agonist. Methadone has many of the same effects as Suboxone.

The difference between Methadone and Suboxone comes down to how long the medication lasts in your system after you take it. Methadone does not last as long in your system, which means that you will need to take it more often than Suboxone to get the same effect.

What Is Suboxone?

Suboxone (buprenorphine) is an opioid used for pain relief, addiction treatment, and maintenance treatment of opiate dependence. It’s a combination drug containing Buprenorphine and Naloxone.

Naloxone is also an active ingredient in Narcan, an opioid antagonist used to reverse overdoses. Buprenorphine was developed by Reckitt Benckiser, in the 1960s and since 2000 doctors have been authorized to prescribe it to treat opiate addiction.

Side Effects of Suboxone

There are several side effects of Suboxone you should be aware of. These include:

• Nausea – The nausea you experience when taking Suboxone is a side effect of the drug’s effects on your brain. Although it can be uncomfortable, this is not dangerous.
• Constipation – Suboxone can also cause constipation. This is because it has been shown to slow down your bowel functions and may make you more likely to have bowel problems in the future.
• Liver damage – Over time, long-term use of Suboxone may lead to liver damage. However, this only happens if your body accumulates high levels of the drug over a long period of time (such as years). In most cases, even at high doses, Suboxone will not harm your liver in any way. 

What Is Methadone?

Methadone (also known as “Dolophine”) is an opioid used for pain relief, addiction treatment, and maintenance of opiate dependence. Methadone’s main ingredient is methadone hydrochloride. One of the major differences between Methadone and Suboxone is that Methadone does not contain Naloxone. Methadone was originally developed in Germany during World War II due to a shortage in the supply of morphine. It has been approved to treat opioid dependency since 1972.

Side Effects of Methadone

There are several side effects of Methadone you should be aware of. These include:

• Nausea – Methadone can cause nausea, especially when you first start taking it. However, this is not dangerous and should go away after a few days.
• Constipation – Methadone may also cause constipation. However, this is not dangerous and should go away after a few days.
• Liver damage – Over time, long-term use of methadone may lead to liver damage. This is because the drug affects your liver in a similar way to alcohol, which damages your liver over time. In most cases, even at high doses, Methadone will not harm your liver in any way. 
• Drowsiness (somnolence) –  Methadone can also cause drowsiness (somnolence). However, this is not dangerous and should go away after a few days.
• Dizziness or lightheadedness –  Methadone can also cause dizziness or lightheadedness. However, this is not dangerous and should go away after a few days.
• Headache – Methadone can also cause headaches. In most cases, even at high doses, methadone will not harm your head in any way.

The Difference Between Suboxone and Methadone

The difference between Methadone and Suboxone is that Methadone lasts longer in your system than Suboxone. Methadone is very good at treating the symptoms of withdrawal from morphine or heroin, but it does not treat the underlying cause of addiction such as stress, depression, or any other mental health disorders.

Suboxone has very strong side effects which can include anxiety, dizziness, headache, nausea, insomnia and vomiting. These effects can be worse depending on how much you take so it is important to take suboxone in the lowest possible dose for the shortest period of time.

Is Suboxone more effective than Methadone?

Suboxone is more effective than Methadone because it works faster and has fewer side effects. Methadone has many of the same effects as Suboxone. The difference between Methadone and Suboxone comes down to how long the medication lasts in your system after you take it.

Methadone does not last as long in your system, which means that you will need to take it more often than Suboxone to get the same effect.

Does Suboxone cost more than Methadone?

Suboxone is more expensive than Methadone because it lasts longer in your system. Suboxone however also tends to be a more smoother experience when it comes to drug detox and addiction recovery. This is because it does not have the same harsh side effects that Methadone has.

Can You Take Suboxone And Methadone Together?

No, you cannot mix Suboxone and Methadone. This is because the two drugs have different effects on your body.

Suboxone is a long-acting opioid agonist drug that works by attaching to the same receptors in your brain as heroin. Methadone is a short-acting opioid agonist drug that works by binding to other receptors in your brain and body, which can make it even more dangerous than heroin.

Because Suboxone is a long-acting opioid, it can stay in your system for days after taking it. Methadone only lasts about two hours and is, therefore, more likely to cause withdrawal symptoms if you mix them together.

Is Suboxone and Methadone Dangerous?

Suboxone and Methadone are not dangerous when taken correctly under the supervision of a doctor or other health care professional. It’s important to remember that addiction is a disease that requires treatment, so mixing these drugs could lead to an overdose. The risks of mixing these medications include:  

• Overdose – Taking either one without proper medical supervision can result in death.  
• Addictive effects – Mixing either one with alcohol or certain other narcotics such as fentanyl may result in dependence on the new drug (or both).

In addition, people who mix Methadone with alcohol may have unpleasant side effects including nausea, vomiting, confusion, and drowsiness.

Finding Medication-Assisted Treatment

If you have a prescription for Methadone or Suboxone, look for medication-assisted treatment (MAT). MAT is a type of clinic that combines different treatments like counseling, group therapy, and medications to help you beat your addiction. Some clinics also use 12-step programs that teach you how to live a drug-free life.

However, this type of program isn’t for everyone because it involves talking about things that might be hard to talk about with family or friends. If you are interested in finding MAT check online for detox centers near you, then inquire if they offer medication-assisted treatment.

Suboxone and Methadone Treatment Nashville, TN

To get help with addiction and inquire about Suboxone and Methadone treatments in the Nashville, Tennessee area contact Brentwood Springs Detox.