There is now an available treatment to treat opiate addiction after millions of individual damaged by this drug. Subutex is a mixture of two currently marketed medications, buprenorphine and naloxone. It will be used for the treatment of subjects with heroin and opiate addictions. It is a long-acting opiate primarily used to cire narcotic dependence. It is most commonly sold as a capsule that dissolves in the tongue. Its main purpose is to stop withdrawal symptoms from happening in an individual, by stimulating the opiate receptors in the brain. Subutex has a greater attraction to the opiate receptors than other drugs such as heroin and methadone, which removes the desire to take such drugs.
Takin in heroin or methadone will have no effect at all when subutex binds tightly to the opiate receptors. This substance is generally used in narcotic drug treatment programs, and prescribed in varying doses. The effects of subutex are less distinct than those of other opiates, giving the individual the feeling of being somewhat “normal” once more. Buprenorphine is an opioid that is used to wean people off their addiction to stronger opioids such as morphine, diamorphine (heroin) and methadone. It is prescribed as a substitute for such drugs. By acting on the same opioid receptors as other opioids, buprenorphine prevents the physical withdrawal symptoms that occur when these drugs are blocked. Physical cravings is then being stopped. Over time, the dose of buprenorhpine is gradually lessen until it can be discontinued completely. Moreover, buprenorphine replacement therapy for opioid addiction must be used together with other medical, social and psychological treatment.
However, after medication, it is not an assurance that the person would become free from drug dependence. The body would eventually adjust to the effects of subutex and thus would possibly become reliant to it. Meaning to say, the person may be free from heroin addiction but in turn, become a subutex addict. Science has found a substance that could imitate the effects of certain drugs such as heroin and methadone, to stop withdrawal syndrome. However, just like any other drugs, subutex still has a negative effect on the body.
Drowsiness; dizziness; weakness; constipation; headache; nausea or vomiting; slow, shallow breathing; mental changes; mood changes (depression); stomach or abdominal pain; liver problems; dark urine; yellowing eyes; skin changes; vision changes; and death due to overdose are some of the side effects of subutex. These effects could be qualified upon taking subutex. Moreover, it could worsen if the drug is taken together with other substances such as alcohol.
Subutex (buprenorphine) can cause drug dependence. If the use of subutex is suddenly discontinued, the individual may experience withdrawal symptoms and/or the desire to relapse and consume the addictive drug once more. When mixed with other drugs (antidepressants, alcohol, sleeping medicine, etc.), subutex may enhance their effects and cause serious health hazards. Subutex can cause death from overdose if injected with a tranquilizer.
It’s easy access and less expensive price contribute to the increase in the number of subutex addiction cases. The fact that buprenorphine costs less than heroin and is more accessible has accelerated the development of illegal markets in various countries. Buprenorphine made in India, for example, is smuggled into Nepal and Sri Lanka, as well as Bangladesh, where it is used by 90 percent of the country’s intravenous drug users, according to a UN Drug and Crime story last year.
It is quite alarming to imagine that no single drug is free from becoming an object of dependence. People have to be watchful in taking both prescribed and non-prescribed drugs. These definite drugs could someway be considered of as a traitor. At first they act as if they are giving you positive effects. Then later on, you become dependent to the drug and take the drug
despite the negative effects it is eliciting. It’s like the devil that attracted you to eat the apple from the forbidden tree and then left you when everything else went wrong.
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I just read the article on Subutex, and I couldn’t agree more. I spent all of about THREE MONTHS, that is right, MONTHS, abusing hydrocodone. By the time I was taking 12-15 pills/day, I sought help after trying to stop, or wean down, and was unable. The time frame was late June 05 through late Sep 05, that’s it. Now, it is a full five years later since I first sought help, and I am STILL taking the subutex, at a higher dose than when I started. I am taking 32 mg/day of Subutex, which I think is absurd. I have a trained medical doctor who does not take insurance, who demands that I see him every two weeks at $185/visit to keep me “hooked” on subutex. What motivation does he have to make me well again? He will lose a patient and the nearly $400/month that I pay him. There are times when I see him more than twice a month. I have every receipt from every visit bc my medical insurance reimburses me at 60% of what I pay the Dr., so I can say and prove that I pay at least $5000/year to this trained MD who is certifed in addiction medicine taking at least $5000/yr to keep me addicted to Subutex. There should be a law against this type of behavior. Thank you for letting me share, although I am not even sure to whom I am writing.