Learning library
Buprenorphine Suboxone and Subutex
Belbuca vs Suboxone: Comparing the Two

Belbuca vs Suboxone: Comparing the Two

When you are on a buprenorphine medication for opioid addiction, it is crucial that you know the difference between Belbuca and Suboxone. This guide will help you understand how they work and what each of them has to offer.

Belbuca and Suboxone are both medications containing buprenorphine. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist acting on the mu-opioid receptor. This gives buprenorphine a ceiling effect, producing fewer effects than full agonists like heroin and morphine. Belbuca and Suboxone have different uses, so it’s important to know the difference. Suboxone is available to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). OUD is one of the world's most pressing public health concerns. The condition is marked by an uncontrollable craving for opioids, eventually leading to addiction. In the most recent report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 100,306 drug overdose deaths in the United States during a 12-month period ending April 2021, a 28.5% increase during the same period the previous year.

Here, we will see the uses of these medications, how they work for you, their side effects, and their advantages over each other.

Belbuca VS Suboxone Infographic

What is Belbuca?

Belbuca, a brand name for buprenorphine, is a prescription medication used to manage moderate to severe chronic pain. It is a part of the opioid class of medications and works by attaching to specific proteins in the body that block pain signals from being sent to the brain. Belbuca comes in the form of a filmstrip placed inside the cheek and dissolves over time, releasing the medication into the system.

Belbuca Side Effects

  • Nausea
  • Constipation
  • Headache
  • Vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Fatigue
  • Diarrhea
  • Dry mouth
  • Upper respiratory tract infection
  • Anemia
  • Abdominal pain
  • Swelling of the extremities
  • Fever
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Sinus infection
  • Bronchitis
  • Loss of appetite
  • Muscle spasms
  • Back pain
  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Depression
  • Sore throat
  • Increased sweating
  • Itching
  • Rash
  • Hot flashes
  • High blood pressure.

📞
Request an Enrollment Call

Our team will call you to answer any questions you have or to help you schedule an appointment.

Request an enrollment call

What is Suboxone?

Suboxone is a medication used to help treat opioid addiction and minimize cravings. It is a combination of two medications, buprenorphine and naloxone, which work together to block the effects of opioids and help reduce cravings. Suboxone can be prescribed by a doctor, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner, and is taken as a strip dissolved under the tongue. It is essential to follow the directions for taking Suboxone precisely as prescribed to get the most benefit from it. 

Suboxone Side Effects

Suboxone is a medication that can be used to treat opioid use disorder. However, like many prescription medications, it comes with its fair share of side effects. Listed below are the side effects one might experience when taking Suboxone.

Common Side Effects of Suboxone

  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Numbness, redness, or pain in the mouth
  • Insomnia
  • Drowsiness
  • Stomachache
  • Vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Back pain
  • Chills 
  • Sweating
  • Depression
  • Increase in heart rate

Serious Side Effects of Suboxone

  • Fainting
  • Hallucinations
  • Confusion/agitation
  • Irregular dizziness
  • Severe allergic reactions
  • Irregular menstruation
  • Unusual bruising or bleeding
  • Abuse 
  • Liver damage
  • Severe withdrawal symptoms
  • Difficulty waking up

Long Term Side-Effects of Suboxone 

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Fatigue
  • Night sweats
  • Loss of libido

🗓️
Book with Confidant

Book with a vetted Confidant Health provider

Book appointment

Differences Between Belbuca and Suboxone

Usage

Suboxone is a medication that the FDA has approved for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD). Suboxone can be highly beneficial for those struggling with OUD, and it can help improve their quality of life. On the other hand, Belbuca is a prescription opioid medication used to manage pain. The FDA does not approve Belbuca for the treatment of OUD. However, this medication can help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings if taken as prescribed by a doctor.

Dosage

The four different strengths of Suboxone sublingual film are:

  • 2 mg/0.5 mg
  • 4 mg/1 mg
  • 8 mg/2 mg
  • 12 mg/3 mg

Your doctor will determine which strength is best for you based on your individual needs. Meanwhile, Belbuca comes in many dosages:

  • 75 mcg
  • 150 mcg
  • 300 mcg
  • 450 mcg
  • 600 mcg
  • 750 mcg
  • 900 mcg

Administration

Both Belbuca and Suboxone are administered sublingually. However, unlike Suboxone that is available as both tablet and film, Belbuca only exists as a film/strip.

Forms

Generic versions of Belbuca are not currently available on the market. On the other hand, drug manufacturers such as Sandoz and Alvogen do produce FDA-approved generic versions of Suboxone, which are similar to their branded counterparts in terms of safety, efficacy, strength, dosage form, route of administration, and quality standards. 

Cost

The average retail price of Belbuca and Suboxone is $442.38 and $153.77, respectively. The prices will vary depending on your insurance coverage and where you purchase it from. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Belbuca and buprenorphine the same?

Belbuca is the brand name for a buprenorphine buccal film that is used to help relieve moderate to severe chronic pain. 

What is a substitute for Belbuca?

Belbuca is an effective pain medication that has been shown to provide relief for patients suffering from moderate to severe pain. However, several other medications can be prescribed instead of Belbuca. These alternatives include Buprenorphine (Butrans) and Methadone (Methadose).

This article has been medically reviewed by
Erin Hillers
Erin Hillers
Erin Hillers
Nurse Practitioner

Erin is a Nurse Practitioner with 8 years of experience in midwifery and women's health. She has spent the past 5 years specializing in the treatment of opioid and alcohol use disorders.

Book appointment
👍
Recommended reading
4 mins
read time
Getting Emergency Suboxone: 3 Ways To Obtain It Quickly
4 mins
read time
Suboxone Telemedicine: How it Works and Benefits
4 mins
read time
How to Find Medicaid-Accepting Suboxone Doctors Near You
4 mins
read time
4 Common Ways to Administer Naloxone
4 mins
read time
A Comprehensive Guide to Suboxone Use & Pregnancy
4 mins
read time
Comprehensive Guide to Subutex vs. Suboxone
4 mins
read time
Guide to Different Suboxone Pills
4 mins
read time
Sublocade vs Suboxone: Choosing the Right Option
4 mins
read time
Suboxone Sublingual Film: A Quick Guide
4 mins
read time
Alvogen's Suboxone: Frequently Asked Questions
4 mins
read time
Belbuca vs Suboxone: Comparing the Two
4 mins
read time
Buprenorphine and How It Works
4 mins
read time
Can Nurse Practitioners Prescribe Buprenorphine?
4 mins
read time
Buprenorphine as a Painkiller: What You Need to Know
4 mins
read time
Can Psychiatrists Prescribe Suboxone?
4 mins
read time
Can Nurse Practitioners Prescribe Buprenorphine for Pain?
4 mins
read time
Can Suboxone be Called into a Pharmacy?
4 mins
read time
Can Suboxone be Used to Treat Pain?
4 mins
read time
Suboxone Doctors and Prescribing Benzodiazepines
4 mins
read time
Can Suboxone Lead to Addiction? Understanding the Risks
4 mins
read time
Can Taking Suboxone Affect Breastfeeding?
4 mins
read time
Can You Overdose on Suboxone?
4 mins
read time
Is It Possible to Shoot Suboxone?
4 mins
read time
Is It Possible to Smoke Suboxone?
4 mins
read time
Can You Take Ibuprofen with Buprenorphine?
4 mins
read time
Can You Take Methadone with Buprenorphine?
4 mins
read time
Can You Take Seroquel and Suboxone Together?
4 mins
read time
Can You Take Tramadol with Suboxone?
4 mins
read time
Can You Take Xanax with Suboxone?
4 mins
read time
A Guide to Suboxone Prescriptions
4 mins
read time
Dealing with Suboxone Withdrawal: Symptoms and Remedies
4 mins
read time
Do Employers Test for Buprenorphine?
4 mins
read time
If Suboxone Dissolves, Can you Swallow it?
4 mins
read time
Does Suboxone Block Methadone?
4 mins
read time
Does buprenorphine show up as an opiate?
4 mins
read time
Suboxone and Constipation: Understanding the Link
4 mins
read time
Suboxone and Weight Gain: Is There a Connection?
4 mins
read time
Does Suboxone Cause a High?
4 mins
read time
Suboxone and Sleepiness: What You Need to Know
4 mins
read time
Gabapentin & Suboxone: Can You Take Them Together?
4 mins
read time
Generic Suboxone: Forms, Uses, and More
4 mins
read time
How and Where to Purchase Suboxone Online
4 mins
read time
How does buprenorphine actually work?
4 mins
read time
How does Suboxone affect your mood?
4 mins
read time
How is buprenorphine taken?
4 mins
read time
How Long Does It Take for Suboxone to Kick In?
4 mins
read time
How Long Does Suboxone Block Opiates?
4 mins
read time
How long can Suboxone be detected in urine?
4 mins
read time
How long should you be on Suboxone?
4 mins
read time
How Long Should You Be Taking Suboxone For?
4 mins
read time
How the Suboxone Spit Method Works
4 mins
read time
Getting Suboxone: A Quick Guide
4 mins
read time
How to Maximize Suboxone Absorption
4 mins
read time
How To Successfully Taper Off Suboxone
4 mins
read time
Is Belbuca the same as Suboxone?
4 mins
read time
Is Buprenorphine a Stimulant?
4 mins
read time
Is Buprenorphine an Opiate?
4 mins
read time
Effectiveness of Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain
4 mins
read time
FDA Approval of Buprenorphine for Pain Management
4 mins
read time
Buprenorphine vs Suboxone: Understanding the Distinction
4 mins
read time
Buprenorphine for Depression: Is it FDA Approved?
4 mins
read time
Combining Klonopin or Lorazepam with Suboxone: Is It Safe?
4 mins
read time
Mixing Suboxone and Kratom: Risks and Precautions
4 mins
read time
Liver Safety and Suboxone Use: What You Need to Know
4 mins
read time
Long-term Use of Suboxone: Risks and Benefits
4 mins
read time
Methadone vs Buprenorphine: Similarities and Differences
4 mins
read time
Methadone vs Suboxone: Comparison and Contrast
4 mins
read time
Managing Sexual Side Effects of Suboxone
4 mins
read time
Online Suboxone Doctors and Their Role
4 mins
read time
Treatment Outcomes with Buprenorphine: What to Expect
4 mins
read time
Quick Guide to Getting Generic Suboxone
4 mins
read time
Possible Side Effects of Buprenorphine Use
4 mins
read time
Signs that Your Suboxone Dose May Need Adjusting
4 mins
read time
Patient Education for Suboxone (Buprenorphine/Naloxone)
4 mins
read time
Suboxone Dosage: A Guide to Safe and Effective Use
4 mins
read time
Suboxone Doses: A Chart for Easy Reference
4 mins
read time
Suboxone Ingredients: A Comprehensive Guide
4 mins
read time
Suboxone vs. Vivitrol: Uses, Forms, and More
4 mins
read time
The Beginner's Guide to Suboxone Laws
4 mins
read time
Withdrawal Symptoms of Suboxone: What to Expect
4 mins
read time
What Do Generic Suboxone Strips Look Like?
4 mins
read time
Identifying Each Form of Suboxone
4 mins
read time
What Happens When Suboxone and Alcohol Mix?
4 mins
read time
Swallowing Suboxone: What to Know
4 mins
read time
Daily Maximum Dosage of Suboxone: What You Need to Know
4 mins
read time
Suboxone and Medications: What Not to Take Together
4 mins
read time
What Schedule Drug is Suboxone Classified As? Understanding the Regulations
4 mins
read time
Buprenorphine Schedule and Regulations
4 mins
read time
What to Consider When Choosing a Suboxone Doctor
4 mins
read time
What to Know About Suboxone Shots
4 mins
read time
When Can You Take Subutex?
4 mins
read time
When to Take Suboxone: A Complete Guide
4 mins
read time
Where to Get Coupons for Suboxone
4 mins
read time
Where Can I Find Suboxone Treatment Centers Near Me?
4 mins
read time
Suboxone's Receptor Targets: A Comprehensive Overview
4 mins
read time
White Suboxone Pill: A Complete Guide
4 mins
read time
Why is Naloxone Added to Buprenorphine?
4 mins
read time
Why is Buprenorphine Not Widely Available?
4 mins
read time
Zubsolv vs. Suboxone: A Brief Comparison Guide
Confidant mobile app screens
Get immediate access to the care you need today

Scan the QR code below to download the app.

QR code to download the app
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play