Guide to Different Suboxone Pills

Suboxone is available in different forms. Suboxone, a partial opioid medication used in addiction treatment, is a hexagon (6-sided) shaped orange pill. The strength of the pill is stamped on the face of the tablet, following the same cataloging as Suboxone strips, i.e., N2, N4, N8, N12 referencing 2mg, 4mg, 8mg, and 12mg doses. Generic Suboxone is a round orange pill that only comes in an 8mg dose. An 8mg dose of generic Suboxone pills is imprinted with AN 415.

See Differences Between Suboxone and Suboxone Generic for more. 

Different Suboxone Pills

Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist combined with naloxone, an opioid antagonist to treat opioid use disorder (OUD).

Buprenorphine/naloxone medications prescribed in the treatment of opioid addiction include Subutex, Sublocade, Bunavail, and Zubsolv. Subutex is a white oval-shaped buprenorphine-monotherapy pill. Sublocade is a buprenorphine shot that is injected abdominally once a month. See What You Should Know About Suboxone Shots. Bunavail is a buprenorphine/naloxone buccal film. Zubsolv is a buprenorphine/naloxone sublingual pill, while Suboxone is manufactured as both a sublingual film and sublingual tablet. Like Suboxone films and generic Suboxone films, all Suboxone pills are orange.

Suboxone pills were introduced before Suboxone films in 2002. The misuse potential of Suboxone tablets is significantly higher than Suboxone films. If the buprenorphine in Suboxone enters the system intravenously or intranasally, it deploys full opioid effects at the receptor site, causing inebriation and serious risk of overdose. Other side effects of intravenous and intranasal administration of buprenorphine include cognitive impairment, nausea, sexual dysfunction, and opioid-induced respiratory depression. Suboxone films became available in 2018 as a way to limit the exploitation of the partial agonist properties of the drug. 

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Orange Suboxone Pill

What does generic Suboxone look like? Generic Suboxone manufactured by Amneal Pharmaceuticals is a round orange pill embellished with the alphanumeric code, AN 415. Generic Suboxone pills are available in 8 mg doses only. The buprenorphine/naloxone combination is dispensed at a ratio of 4:1. 8mg of buprenorphine, 2mg of naloxone. The 8mg Suboxone dose is distinguished by the AN 415 indicated on the round orange pill. 

AN 415 Suboxone

Suboxone is a long-acting medication that does not reward the dopamine spike that keeps people who use opioids wanting more. It also has a long half-life. Half-life refers to the time it takes for half of the medication to leave the body. Like any foreign substance that enters the body, the body begins metabolizing the medication from the moment it is ingested. Buprenorphine asserts a half-life of more than 30 hours, meaning its effects can last up to 2 days serving to keep opioid cravings at bay. Buprenorphine’s ‘ceiling effect’ and partial agonist properties minimize the tolerance yield of the drug. See Can Suboxone Lead to Addiction? for more on buprenorphine’s threshold. Suboxone eliminates cravings and stops withdrawal. Pupil constriction has been seen in some patients prescribed large doses of Suboxone. However, the drug's positive effects, pain relief, withdrawal prevention, and mood improvement outweigh the negatives.

Tapering down and stopping Suboxone can lead to withdrawal, relapse, and overdose. Overdosing and/or misusing Suboxone can also lead to withdrawal, relapse, and overdose. Patients in recovery that are acquainted with environments that are not conducive to sobriety also have a greater chance of succumbing to withdrawal, relapse and overdose. In order to benefit from effective medication assisted treatment, a stable state of mind and surroundings is required. With stable and supportive psychosocial parameters in place tapering, off Suboxone can be possible. A taper plan should be agreed upon with a medical practitioner. Self-directed tapering and dosing are unwise. 

Medication assisted treatment (MAT) is a rehabilitation approach that combines prescription medication, and often behavioral therapy, and social support. Like with any medication, Suboxone will work differently for everyone. Similarly to patients that engage in 12-step programs to treat addiction, some patients will continue with medication assisted treatment for life while others will be able to taper their doses and live without the assistance of Suboxone.

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Generic Suboxone Pills

The effects of Suboxone sublingual pills and generic suboxone pills are the same. The buprenorphine/naloxone combination acts to bridge opioid dependence and allow patients to regain productivity and re-establish functionality. Suboxone is a partial opioid agonist of the mu receptor, which offsets the tolerance capacity of the medication. Although withdrawal and cravings are reduced, physical dependence on Suboxone can occur. See Can Suboxone Lead to Addiction? Suboxone should not be taken with other opioids, alcohol, or sedatives. 

The team at Confidant is meticulously versed in the benefits of medication assisted treatment. Our fully licensed staff are here for you. If you have questions about medication assisted treatment, Suboxone films, generic Suboxone pills, Suboxone tapering, or more, message us today.

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