How Long Should You Be Taking Suboxone For?

Suboxone is an FDA-approved medication prescribed to help manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings for people seeking treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). This medication should only be accessed under the care of a qualified provider. Suboxone consists of buprenorphine and naloxone. As a partial opioid agonist, buprenorphine interacts with the opioid receptors in the brain, producing a mild euphoria that alleviates withdrawal discomfort. Naloxone, an opioid antagonist, binds to opioid receptors and blocks the effects of other opioids. This interaction helps reduce the risk of misuse and overdose. While this combination can keep cravings and withdrawal symptoms under control, how long should you take Suboxone? That answer will vary as some people only need short-term treatment to help them get through the worst of their symptoms, and others require long-term support to maintain their recovery.

If you have questions about accessing Suboxone care and how long you may need to receive this OUD treatment, contact the professionals at Confidant Health’s online Suboxone clinic. Our experts can provide you with a thorough assessment to determine if virtual Suboxone treatment is right for you.  

How Long Should You Take Suboxone?

The length of time needed for medication-assisted treatment (MAT) like Suboxone will vary from person to person. How long you should take Suboxone as part of OUD treatment depends on several factors:

• The severity of your withdrawal symptoms
• The intensity of opioid cravings

Considering that the primary goal of Suboxone is to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings, you may need to continue using the medication until these symptoms have dissipated. For some people, symptoms are fairly mild to begin with, and Suboxone treatment provides the temporary relief they need to stay on course early in their recovery. Their provider may decide that they are stable enough in their recovery that the medication is no longer necessary. 

More severe or long-lasting withdrawal discomfort and cravings can make it especially challenging to avoid relapse. In these cases, your provider may recommend that you receive Suboxone treatment long-term or indefinitely. 

Regardless of whether you need short- or long-term Suboxone care, you should never discontinue using your prescribed Suboxone without consulting your provider. They will follow a tapering protocol to safely wean you off Suboxone to prevent withdrawal symptoms and reduce the risk of relapse.

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Suboxone Treatment Timeline

Suboxone treatment usually takes part in three phases: induction, stabilization, and maintenance.

Induction

On day one of the induction phase of Suboxone treatment, your provider will start you on a low dose, usually 2 mg/0.5 mg or 4 mg/1 mg. Generally, they will have you take your first dose after withdrawal symptoms begin, approximately six hours or more after the last opioid use. Then, you will be instructed to take a second dose after an hour or two. From there, your provider may add another dose until the desired relief is achieved. The target dose for the first day is 8 mg/2 mg. 

For day two, a single dose of up to 16 mg/4 mg is recommended.

Stabilization

The stabilization phase involves finding the ideal dose to keep withdrawal symptoms under control. Once you and your provider have discovered the ideal Suboxone dosage to prevent discomfort and cravings, you will move into the maintenance phase. Depending on your symptoms, the stabilization phase may last up to a month or two. 

Maintenance

Once your optimal dose has been determined by your provider, you enter the maintenance phase. The Suboxone dosage during maintenance ranges from 4 mg/1 mg to 24 mg/6 mg once daily. In some cases, your provider may recommend two daily doses to manage your symptoms. 

Risks of Long-Term Suboxone Use

Although your provider may determine that long-term Suboxone treatment is necessary for you to maintain your recovery, there are some risks associated with using this medication over a long period. Some potential risks of long-term Suboxone use include:

• Coma
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Hallucinations
• Hypotension (low blood pressure)
• Pinpoint pupils
• Respiratory depression (slowed breathing)
• Seizure

If you experience any of the above long-term side effects of Suboxone, you should contact your provider immediately or seek emergency treatment. 

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Other FAQs

How many times a day should you take Suboxone?

The frequency of your Suboxone dosage will be determined by your provider. During the induction phase, you will likely take several doses spread throughout the day as your provider monitors your symptoms. Once the optimal dosage is determined during the stabilization phase, you will move on to the maintenance phase. At this point, your dosage will be more consistent, typically ranging from 2 mg to 24 mg a day. Most people are prescribed either a once-daily or twice-daily dose of Suboxone.

How long does it take for Suboxone to wear off?

The effects of Suboxone typically kick in within one hour, reaching maximum results around two to three hours after your dose. The medication will continue to keep symptoms and cravings under control for approximately 24 to 72 hours. Some factors that affect how long it takes for Suboxone to wear off are:

• Body weight
• Metabolism
• Opioid use history

Your provider will have you take Suboxone daily to maintain consistent levels of the medication in your system. This daily dose ensures that withdrawal symptoms and cravings are minimized as much as possible.

Although the effects of Suboxone last up to 72 hours, the medication can remain in your system for approximately five to eight days. 

How long will Suboxone block opiates?

Suboxone consists of two ingredients: buprenorphine and naloxone.

Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist that interacts with opioid receptors to impart a mild euphoria that helps calm cravings.

The naloxone in Suboxone binds to opioid receptors in the brain and blocks the effects of other opioids. This supports a ceiling effect that prevents other opioids from producing a euphoric high. 

Suboxone can block the effects of opiates for at least 24 hours. However, certain factors can impact how long the effects of Suboxone last. Individuals with a lower body weight, slower metabolism, or shorter history of opioid use may experience longer-lasting effects from Suboxone.

If you feel that the effects of Suboxone are wearing off long before your next scheduled dose, speak with your provider. They may decide to adjust your dosage to help keep you comfortable.

How do you know if you’re not taking enough Suboxone?

Since Suboxone is designed to alleviate the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms and cravings, a good indicator that your dose may not be right for you is if these symptoms do not decrease or they return shortly after taking your medication. Some of these symptoms may include:

• Anxiety
• Nausea and vomiting
• Opioid cravings
• Upset stomach

When receiving Suboxone treatment, you should not expect to experience the same euphoric effects as opioids like oxycodone or morphine. However, you should feel minimal discomfort and cravings. If your symptoms are unmanageable on your current prescribed dose of Suboxone, speak with your provider. They may adjust your dose until they find the optimal level of comfort and symptom management. 

Confidant Health: Providing Customized Virtual Suboxone Treatment

At Confidant Health, our online Suboxone clinic offers individualized Suboxone treatment plans to best meet your recovery needs. Reach out to our team today to set up a virtual intake assessment so we can determine your most suitable treatment options for opioid use disorder (OUD).

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