Methadone and Suboxone are FDA-approved medications used in opioid dependence treatment, typically as part of medication-assisted treatment (MAT). The main difference between them is that methadone is a full opioid agonist, whereas Suboxone is a partial opioid agonist. Therefore, Suboxone is less likely to produce intense, euphoric effects.
Nonetheless, both medications can be abused and lead to addiction. Today, Accelerated Neuro-Regulation (ANR) offers a far more effective and safer solution that doesn’t require you to take methadone, Suboxone, or other opioid-replacement drugs.
This article will provide a detailed comparison of methadone vs. Suboxone and explain why ANR outperforms MAT in terms of safety, speed, and effectiveness.
What Is Methadone, and How Does It Affect Your Body?
Methadone is a medication used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). As a long-acting prescription opioid, it is also sometimes used as a pain medication, typically for moderate-to-severe pain requiring around-the-clock relief.
Marketed under Dolophine®, Methadose®, and other brands, methadone is also available as a generic drug. It comes in various forms, including tablets, oral solutions, and injections.
Whether taken for pain relief or opioid addiction treatment, methadone affects the body by acting on opioid receptors. As an analgesic, it alters pain perception by preventing the brain from receiving pain signals.
In regard to OUD treatment, methadone is most commonly used in MAT as a substitute for other opioids. It reduces cravings and other withdrawal symptoms by gradually releasing methadone into the system, which can help people get off more dangerous short-acting opioids, such as heroin.
However, methadone also carries a risk of abuse, addiction, and overdose, which is why it is vital to take it as prescribed. Furthermore, it can cause various side effects, including:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sedation
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Lightheadedness
Inform your healthcare provider about any methadone side effects you experience. In case of serious adverse effects, such as allergic reactions, call 911 immediately.
What Is Suboxone, and How Does It Affect Your Body?
Suboxone is an OUD medication containing buprenorphine and naloxone at a 4:1 ratio. It is also sold as a generic medication and marketed under Zubsolv® and Cassipa® brand names. Suboxone is not to be confused with Subutex®, another OUD medication that only contains buprenorphine.
Suboxone comes as a sublingual film or tablet typically taken once daily. Like methadone, it eases withdrawal symptoms, helping people get off more potent opioids. However, it can also cause addiction and does not cure opioid dependency.
When it comes to adverse reactions, studies show no difference in the frequency of methadone vs. Suboxone side effects. However, Suboxone is less likely to cause sedation than methadone.
On this note, let’s see how methadone compares to Suboxone in terms of effectiveness, chemical composition, addictiveness, and cost.
Key Differences Between Methadone vs. Suboxone in Treating Opioid Dependence
The key difference between methadone vs. Suboxone in treating opioid dependence lies in their mechanisms of action.
As a full opioid agonist, methadone binds to opioid receptors and activates them fully, producing opioid-like effects. By contrast, Suboxone is a partial opioid agonist. As such, it doesn’t activate receptors to the same extent as methadone. In fact, its effects peak at a certain dose, and this “ceiling effect” explains why Suboxone has a lower potential for misuse than methadone.
Here’s a more in-depth comparison of methadone vs. Suboxone:
Methadone vs. Suboxone Effectiveness
Methadone vs. Suboxone differ very little in terms of effectiveness, especially later on in the treatment. Researchers from Université de Montréal found that Suboxone reduces cravings more effectively in people with prescription opioid use disorder than methadone. Yet, these differences are mostly visible early in the treatment.
Long-term outcomes of Suboxone and methadone treatments are very similar. A study done by Hser et al. suggests that there are few differences between these OUD treatments.
However, a study by Wakeman et al. found that buprenorphine and methadone are associated with reduced overdoses compared to opioid antagonist therapy and other treatments. This is something you might want to consider if you’re choosing between methadone vs. Suboxone vs. naltrexone for OUD treatment.
Methadone vs. Suboxone Chemical Composition
Methadone vs. Suboxone chemical compositions differ significantly. Methadone (molecular formula C21H27NO) is a single-entity synthetic opioid. Meanwhile, Suboxone (molecular formula C48H62N2O8) is a combination drug with two active ingredients:
- Buprenorphine, a semi-synthetic opioid derived from thebaine, prescribed to relieve moderate-to-severe pain and treat opioid addiction
- Naloxone, an opioid antagonist administered to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose
Methadone vs. Suboxone Addictiveness
Methadone has a higher potential for abuse and addiction than Suboxone. For this reason, it is treated as a Schedule II controlled substance, whereas Suboxone is classified as a Schedule III. Nonetheless, both can lead to addiction.
Methadone vs. Suboxone Cost
The cost of methadone and Suboxone primarily depends on the strength of your prescription, the formulation of the drug, and similar factors. However, methadone generally costs less than Suboxone.
A dispersible tablet containing 40 mg of methadone costs between $0.35 and $0.38; brand-name methadone costs similarly. Meanwhile, buprenorphine/naloxone sublingual film (2 mg/0.5 mg) costs around $1.91 per unit. The price of Suboxone® of the same strength, meanwhile, can be as high as $5.59 per film.
Limitations of Methadone and Suboxone in Opioid Addiction Treatment
Although methadone and Suboxone are commonly prescribed for OUD, they have significant limitations in opioid addiction treatment you should be aware of. Namely, the limitations, risks, and challenges of methadone and Suboxone include the potential for misuse, addiction, and overdose, difficulty getting off the medication, and failure to treat the root of dependence.
Let’s examine these limitations in greater detail:
- Potential for misuse. Like all opioids, Suboxone and methadone possess a potential for abuse. If taken more frequently or in larger doses than prescribed, both can lead to Suboxone or methadone addiction. Worse yet, opioid abuse considerably amplifies the risk of overdose, which can be fatal.
- Difficulty getting off the medication. MAT medications do not cure dependence; they only manage its symptoms. As such, getting off methadone or Suboxone can be just as hard as discontinuing other opioids. This is because methadone and Suboxone withdrawal symptoms are the same as those of other opioids; in fact, they may even last longer.
- Failure to treat the root of opioid dependence. Suboxone and methadone replace one opioid with another without addressing the chemical causes of opioid dependence. Therefore, MAT doesn’t guarantee an opioid-free life despite the long treatment duration. Some patients stay on MAT medications for years.
Initiating Suboxone or methadone therapy can also be rather difficult, as both medications can cause unpleasant and sometimes even dangerous side effects, such as vomiting, sedation, and breathing difficulties.
Furthermore, Suboxone can trigger precipitated withdrawal symptoms when administered too early. Meanwhile, methadone is usually only dispensed as part of an opioid treatment program (OTP), which initially entails daily visits for dosing. This can be inconvenient and challenging in and of itself, which is why some people drop out of treatment soon after starting it.
Methadone and Suboxone Drug Interactions
Some common methadone and Suboxone drug interactions include:
- Alcohol
- Antibiotics
- Barbiturates
- Other opioids
- Antipsychotics
- Antihistamines
- Muscle relaxers
- Antidepressants
- HIV medications
- Benzodiazepines
- Sleep medications
- Seizure medications
- Herbal medicines, such as St. John’s Wort
Before initiating methadone or Suboxone treatment, it is imperative to inform your doctor about any substances—prescription or not—you’re taking. Do not take them with any other medication or supplement without your doctor’s approval.
Mixing opioids like methadone or Suboxone with other medications can have potentially life-threatening consequences, increasing the risk of serious side effects, respiratory depression, overdose, and other adverse effects.
Other Risk Factors of Methadone and Suboxone
Certain medical conditions can increase the risks of methadone and Suboxone. These medications may not be the best choice for you if you have:
- Head injury
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Thyroid disorders
- Substance use disorders (SUDs)
- Gastrointestinal problems like constipation
- Cardiovascular problems, including high or low blood pressure
- Respiratory problems, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Furthermore, Suboxone or methadone use during pregnancy can increase the risk of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), preterm labor, miscarriage, and other adverse outcomes. If you’re planning to conceive or have become pregnant while taking either of these medications, talk to your doctor. Do not discontinue methadone or Suboxone abruptly, as this can be dangerous.
Physical Dependence and Addiction to Opioids
Contrary to popular belief, physical dependence and addiction to opioids aren’t the same. Although these conditions often co-occur, you can be dependent on opioids without being addicted.
This is the case with most people taking methadone or Suboxone, as they rely on these medications to function normally, i.e., to curb cravings and prevent other opioid withdrawal symptoms. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean they’re addicted, as opioid addiction is primarily psychological. It is characterized by a lack of control over opioid use.
In other words, opioid dependence is physical and stems from the chemical changes that happen in the brain as a result of prolonged opioid use. Therefore, anyone taking any type of opioid is dependent on it. Opioid addiction, on the other hand, those addicted cannot stop taking these drugs, even when it harms them.
Signs and Symptoms of Opioid Dependence
The following symptoms indicate opioid dependence:
- Tolerance. With prolonged opioid use, the brain begins to create more and more opioid receptors, resulting in tolerance. Because of this, people dependent on opioids take increasing amounts of them to recreate the initial effects. If you notice your usual dose has lost effectiveness, consult with your doctor. Taking more medication than prescribed significantly increases the risk of opioid overdose.
- Withdrawal symptoms. Many people dependent on opioids continue to take them even when they no longer suffer from pain out of fear of opioid withdrawal symptoms, such as muscle aches, vomiting, cravings, and depression. If you recognize you’ve become dependent, seek professional help to get off opioids as safely and comfortably as possible.
Why ANR Is the Best Solution for Opioid Dependence Treatment
Accelerated Neuro-Regulation (ANR) is a comprehensive opioid dependence treatment developed by Dr. Andre Waismann.
No matter how long you’ve been battling opioid dependence, ANR can help you break free from it within days—the average hospital stay for ANR patients lasts only 36 hours.
ANR differs from MAT and other traditional treatments in that it addresses the root cause of opioid dependence instead of just treating its symptoms.
By opting for ANR, you will no longer have to rely on methadone, Suboxone, or other opioid-replacement drugs. Since ANR repairs the chemical imbalance caused by prolonged opioid use, it facilitates lasting recovery and negates withdrawal symptoms together with the risk of relapse.
ANR treatment works by re-regulating the endorphin system while the patient is sedated, minimizing discomfort. The treatment is performed in an ICU setting of fully accredited hospitals to ensure patient safety. The ANR team includes board-certified anesthesiologists, critical care physicians, and other highly experienced healthcare professionals.
Contact us today to schedule a free, 100% confidential consultation. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have and help you reclaim the life you deserve.
Key Takeaways
Although methadone and Suboxone are somewhat different, they are both opioids. As such, they can lead to abuse and addiction, even though they are used to treat it.
Ultimately, neither of them is a cure for opioid dependence, as substituting other opioids with them does not reverse the damage opioids cause to the brain.
Here’s a summary of what we’ve covered today:
- Methadone is a synthetic opioid prescribed for pain relief and OUD treatment, whereas Suboxone is a combination drug only used to treat OUD.
- Both methadone and Suboxone are equally effective in helping people get off more potent and dangerous opioids, reducing the risk of overdose.
- Some limitations of methadone and Suboxone include the potential for misuse and difficulty getting off them, as both drugs cause withdrawal symptoms comparable to those of other opioids.
- ANR is a state-of-the-art treatment that can help you conquer opioid dependence within days by re-balancing your endorphin system.
Methadone vs. Suboxone FAQ
Buprenorphine is safer than methadone. As a partial opioid agonist with a “ceiling effect,” it has a lower potential for misuse and overdose. When it comes to methadone vs. Suboxone vs. buprenorphine safety, Suboxone and buprenorphine are generally considered a safer choice. However, all three medications can lead to abuse, addiction, and overdose.
Yes, Suboxone is addictive, primarily because it contains buprenorphine. Even though it is used to treat OUD, Suboxone is still an opioid. Misuse (e.g., taking the drug in higher doses than prescribed) is the main risk factor for developing Suboxone addiction. Therefore, you should take this medication precisely as instructed.
The most effective treatment for opioid use disorder is ANR. It is the only approach that treats opioid dependence at its root by reversing opioid-induced neurochemical changes. As of today, ANR treatment has helped close to 25,000 people globally recover from opioid dependence safely, quickly, and effectively.
Yes, ANR can help if you’ve been using methadone or Suboxone for years. Regardless of the type of opioid you’re taking and the duration of opioid use, ANR can facilitate long-lasting recovery by restoring your brain to a pre-dependence state. We tailor the treatment to each patient individually, making it suitable for virtually anyone.
