Suboxone medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is approved by the FDA to help people manage opioid dependence. If you are looking for help for opioid use disorder (OUD), you should always consult with your physician or the online Suboxone doctors at Confidant Health to find a solution that is right for you. Suboxone combines buprenorphine and naloxone to help curb cravings and alleviate withdrawal symptoms. MAT is not one-size-fits-all, so you must receive the proper Suboxone dosage from your provider to effectively manage your symptoms. This guide to Suboxone doses is intended for informational purposes only, so be sure to consult with your provider or an online Suboxone clinic before beginning a Suboxone regimen.
To get help with Suboxone dosing for opioid maintenance, reach out to the online Suboxone doctors at Confidant Health. Our highly competent team can provide you with convenient online Suboxone care right from the comfort of your home.
Suboxone Dosage Forms and Strength
The typical Suboxone composition is four parts buprenorphine to one part naloxone. The medication comes in various strengths but always maintains this 4:1 ratio. This composition also applies to generic Suboxone, but not other brands of buprenorphine and naloxone.
The available strengths of Suboxone depend on the form prescribed by your provider, either films or tablets. Below is a guide to each form, its strength, and its use in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid dependence.
Suboxone Film 2 mg/0.5 mg
Induction
The lowest strength of Suboxone is typically used during induction to help your provider observe how you respond to treatment. The films are intended to be used whole, so this small dosage allows your provider to gradually increase your dosage as necessary. On day one, you may start with one 2 mg/0.5 mg film. After an hour or two, your provider will assess you and may recommend another dose. From there, they will continue to evaluate your response to the treatment and determine the need for additional Suboxone doses. The recommended Suboxone dosage during induction is up to 8 mg/2 mg on the first day and up to 16 mg /4 mg on the second day.
Maintenance
The maintenance phase begins after the induction and stabilization phases are complete, which usually last one to two days. Your provider will continue to monitor your progress and adjust the dosage as needed. Suboxone dosage during maintenance is typically between 4 mg/1 mg to 24 mg/6 mg daily. This is often a single daily dose, so if you are prescribed the 2 mg/0.5 mg film, you would need to use more than one film at a time.
Method of Administration
Suboxone film should be placed under your tongue and allowed to dissolve fully. If more than one film is needed, you may place up to two films under your tongue, one on each side of your mouth. For three or more films, you will need to wait for the first two films to dissolve before placing additional films under your tongue. Try to be still as the film dissolves, and avoid speaking, eating, or drinking while the film is in your mouth.
Suboxone Film 4 mg/1 mg
Induction
Since your provider will start you off on a low dose of Suboxone during the first day, the 4 mg/1 mg films may be incorporated into your treatment during this phase. They may have you begin with a 4 mg/1 mg film and continue adding doses as needed to keep symptoms under control.
Maintenance
The 4 mg/1 mg Suboxone film may be part of your long-term Suboxone maintenance treatment. Your provider will continue to adjust your dosage as necessary, but you will generally take one daily dose during this phase. A 4 mg/1 mg is typically the lowest recommended dosage for maintenance.
Method of Administration
During induction, Suboxone should be dissolved under the tongue. Once you have reached the maintenance phase, you may continue to dissolve the film under the tongue or place it between your gums and cheek.