Suboxone Treatment Guidelines

Introduction to Suboxone

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that patients taking Suboxone have naloxone available at home and that their family/friends know how to use it 1

Proper Administration and Safety

• The medication takes 5-10 minutes to fully dissolve; avoid eating or drinking during this time, as recommended by the MMWR Recommendations and Reports 1
• Always tell every healthcare provider that you take Suboxone, as advised by the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 2

Managing Treatment and Side Effects

• If side effects are severe or persistent, talk to your provider about dose adjustments or symptom management, according to the Mayo Clinic Proceedings 3
• The Mayo Clinic Proceedings suggests that if you're having breakthrough cravings, withdrawal symptoms, or continued opioid use despite being on Suboxone, you likely need a dose increase rather than discontinuation 3

Storage and Monitoring

• Unused medication should be disposed of properly through drug take-back programs, as recommended by the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 2
• Your provider will check state prescription drug monitoring programs to ensure safe prescribing, as recommended by the MMWR Recommendations and Reports 1

Critical Pitfalls to Avoid

• Stopping Suboxone suddenly dramatically increases your risk of relapse, return to dangerous opioid use, and fatal overdose, according to the Mayo Clinic Proceedings 3
• If you want to reduce or stop your medication, work with your provider on a very slow taper over months or years, with close monitoring, as advised by the Mayo Clinic Proceedings 3

Patient Rights and Responsibilities

• You should sign a treatment agreement outlining both your responsibilities and your provider's commitments, as recommended by the Mayo Clinic Proceedings 3
• You have the right to participate in decisions about your dose, treatment duration, and overall care plan, according to the Mayo Clinic Proceedings 3

Buprenorphine Administration Guidelines

Introduction to Buprenorphine Administration

• The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends the combination buprenorphine/naloxone formulation for unsupervised administration because the naloxone component is poorly absorbed sublingually but prevents misuse by crushing and injecting 4, 5, 6

Clinical Supervision and Administration Technique

• The American Family Physician guidelines suggest that treatment should begin with supervised administration, progressing to unsupervised administration only as clinical stability permits, and demonstrate proper technique to the patient at the first visit 4, 5, 6