Quick Answer: Yes, buprenorphine, the active ingredient in Suboxone, does have pain-reducing qualities. But Suboxone does not work as a general pain medicine; the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it for opioid use disorder. It will help ease some of the pain associated with treating opioid abuse, but it should be used with a competent practitioner.
But if you are asking yourself, does Suboxone help with pain? Yes, but there is a big difference. Because it binds to opioid receptors, Suboxone will also serve to reduce pain. But the mixture of buprenorphine/naloxone is not prescribed as a routine painkiller; it is more of a treatment for opioid use disorder.
Key Takeaways
Since buprenorphine is an opioid, it can have pain-relieving properties. But can Suboxone be used to manage pain? This depends on the type of pain, the opioid tolerance of the person, the dose and formulation being used on the person, and the treatment plan. Do not take Suboxone for pain without medical advice; this includes starting, stopping or changing amounts.
Managing pain can be a critical component of the recovery process for someone who has opioid use disorder. It may be painful due to an injury, chronic condition, surgery or opioid withdrawal. While waiting to address the underlying cause of pain, a clinician can decide whether or not to extend buprenorphine treatment or adjust it.
How Does Suboxone Work for Pain?
Suboxone is composed of two drugs, buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist which binds strongly to opioid receptors in the brain and can be used to relieve opioid withdrawal and cravings. It also stimulates these receptors, which may cause “pain-relieving” effects.
Therefore, does Suboxone help relieve pain? Buprenorphine affects the way that your body feels pain. These are not the same as all types of pain for which Suboxone can be used. Mainly used in the clinical setting to treat opioid use disorder, it should be decided by a health care provider whether the pain-relieving effect is relevant to an individual’s situation.
How Does Suboxone Come?
Suboxone is typically available as a sublingual film which means it is placed under the tongue or against the inside of the cheek. It is a combination drug that has buprenorphine and naloxone. The drug is not meant to be a prescription painkiller but, the primary use is to treat opioid use disorder.
How Suboxone is administered is important. Use should be as prescribed, as too soon after the use of another opioid may trigger precipitated withdrawal. Patients must also not adjust the dose or frequency by themselves. Your doctor who prescribed the medication can tell you how to properly administer and what to expect during treatment.
Which Buprenorphine Products Are Approved for Opioid Use Disorder?
Buprenorphine comes in a variety of forms that are used to treat an opioid use disorder. These include sublingual tablets or films, in some instances, buprenorphine implants, and long-acting injectables. One particular combination product that contains buprenorphine and naloxone is Suboxone.
A distinction between buprenorphine for OUD and other buprenorphine products specifically indicated for pain may be helpful. There might be FDA-approved uses of different products, doses or the route of administration. Depending on a patient’s medical history, HCP might choose a specific formulation based on the patient’s opioid use, treatment goals and practical needs.
Does Buprenorphine Treat Pain?
Yes. Buprenorphine is an opioid that also has pain-relieving effects and is incorporated in some FDA-approved products to treat pain. But certainly not all buprenorphine products are permitted and suitable for the treatment of pain. Other buprenorphine products are just for pain; Suboxone is for opioid use disorder.
What about pain and Suboxone use: Does Suboxone help with pain while it’s being used for opioid use disorder? It can. The length of time it lasts and intensity of its pain-relieving effects may, however, be distinct from those benefits in regard to opioid withdrawal and cravings. If the person is in a lot of pain, then see what is causing it and don’t use Suboxone as the only treatment.
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Suboxone for Pain Management
Suboxone can have some pain relief effect for those taking it as a treatment for opioid use disorder, but when Suboxone is used as a pain medicine, it should only be considered for use with careful medical judgment. Buprenorphine is tightly bound to receptors in the body; this could affect the action of other opioid drugs.
When a person is taking Suboxone, it complicates the treatment of pain. It is safest to inform all medical practitioners treating you of using buprenorphine. Your treatment team can then begin considering whether non-opioid treatments or appropriate buprenorphine treatment strategies or other treatments may be appropriate treatment options depending on the source of your pain and the severity of the pain.
Acute Pain in Patients With Opioid Use Disorder
Acute pain may arise from an injury, dental work, surgery or any other sudden medical condition. Do not use Suboxone for pain, and do not self-discontinue. Suboxone if you are in pain. Stopping treatment all at once may trigger withdrawal symptoms and make it more likely that an individual will go back to using opioids.
When treating a person on buprenorphine, individual pain treatment should be considered. In some cases, a clinician might prescribe an alternate pain medication, modify the dosage, or prescribe supplemental medication as needed. The type of the plan will depend on the intensity of the pain and the patient’s history of illness.
Chronic Pain in Opioid-Dependent Patients
Opioid use disorder and chronic pain can coexist, and it can be challenging to treat these conditions. Chronic pain may impact sleep, mood, mobility, relationships and recovery. Simultaneously, chronic use of conventional opioid pain medications may provide extra hazards for an individual’s opiate addiction.
Buprenorphine might be helpful since it not only treats the opioid dependence but also has some analgesic properties. However, chronic pain has a tendency to need more than just medication to treat pain. Physical therapy, behavioral strategies, sleep support, including treatment of underlying medical conditions, and other non-opioid approaches may all play a role.
Have trouble with opioid dependence and/or withdrawal as well as with pain while in Suboxone? Solutions Healthcare can help you comprehend treatments that will help you choose a secure road and find out what your options are. Contact Solutions Healthcare (386) 866-3600 to talk with one of our staff members.
Advantages of Buprenorphine
Buprenorphine possesses several properties that make it valuable for the treatment of OUD. It is a partial opioid agonist, which means that it reduces opioid effects, withdrawal symptoms and cravings when it is taken in a prescribed manner.
Another benefit may be that it has a long duration of action that enables it to be applied in a variety of treatment schedules, depending on formulation. In drug-dependent persons suffering from pain, its ‘analgesic’ effect may be important. But there are risks associated with buprenorphine, such as respiratory depression, particularly if used with other drugs or alcohol.
Can Suboxone Help You?
Those who wonder how Suboxone works when it comes to pain relief need to find their answer in buprenorphine. It belongs to a group of medications known as opioid receptor antagonists, which can help alleviate pain, but Suboxone’s main function is to treat opioid use disorder. It depends on your diagnosis, medications, level of dependency on opioids and the type of pain you have.
If pain is part of your recovery process, you should be seeing someone who will assess the individual and not just leave you to deal on your own. Moreover, Solutions Healthcare can assist you in talking about treatment for OUD along with concerns of withdrawal and co-occurring physical or mental health needs. To learn more about the available treatment options, call (386) 866-3600.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Suboxone better than oxycodone?
Neither medication is universally better. Suboxone is primarily used for opioid use disorder, while oxycodone is a full opioid agonist used for certain pain conditions. The appropriate medication depends on the diagnosis, treatment goals, opioid history, and medical circumstances.
How long does Suboxone take to work for pain?
Buprenorphine can begin producing effects relatively quickly, but the timing of pain relief varies by formulation, dose, individual metabolism, and type of pain. Suboxone should not be taken or adjusted specifically for pain without medical guidance.
What is the 3 day rule for Suboxone?
The “3-day rule” historically referred to limited emergency dispensing of certain opioid use disorder medications by practitioners while arranging ongoing treatment. Current federal rules have changed, so patients should rely on current guidance from their clinician or SAMHSA rather than older interpretations.
Is buprenorphine a good painkiller?
Buprenorphine is an effective analgesic in appropriate formulations and clinical situations. However, not every buprenorphine product is intended for pain treatment. Suboxone is primarily approved for opioid use disorder, so pain treatment should be individualized by a qualified clinician.
How strong is Suboxone compared to other opiates?
Buprenorphine is a potent opioid with high receptor affinity, but it behaves differently from full opioid agonists such as oxycodone. Comparing medications by a simple “strength” ranking can be misleading because effects depend on dose, tolerance, formulation, and individual factors.
Does Suboxone feel like an opioid?
Yes, buprenorphine is an opioid and can produce opioid effects. When taken as prescribed for opioid use disorder, it primarily reduces cravings and withdrawal. People may experience effects differently depending on their opioid tolerance and whether they have recently used other opioids.
Does Suboxone help with actual pain?
Yes, buprenorphine has genuine pain-relieving properties. However, Suboxone is primarily intended for opioid use disorder, not routine pain treatment. Someone experiencing significant pain should receive an evaluation to identify the cause and determine the safest treatment approach.
Is 8 mg of Suboxone a day a lot?
An 8 mg daily dose is within commonly used dosing ranges for opioid use disorder, but whether it is appropriate depends on the individual. Dose requirements vary based on withdrawal symptoms, cravings, opioid exposure, treatment response, and clinical assessment.
What to expect the first day on Suboxone?
The first day may involve reduced withdrawal symptoms and cravings once buprenorphine is started at the appropriate time. Starting it too soon after certain opioids can trigger sudden withdrawal, so follow your prescriber’s instructions carefully.
Disclaimer
This content is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or individualized treatment. Suboxone is a prescription medication with important safety considerations. Do not start, stop, increase, decrease, or change Suboxone without guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. Combining buprenorphine with alcohol, benzodiazepines, sedatives, or other substances can increase the risk of serious adverse effects, including respiratory depression. If you experience severe breathing problems, loss of consciousness, or another medical emergency, seek emergency medical care immediately.
