According to the statistics by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), in the year 2017, around 47,600 people died due to drug overdoses. Opioids caused a big chunk of these deaths.
Suboxone is a partial opioid agonist. It is significantly effective in treating opioid addiction and dependence. It works by binding to the same receptors in the brain as opioids such as heroin and oxycodone but with a much weaker effect. Suboxone can help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings associated with quitting opioids.
So, how long does Suboxone stay in your system, urine, or saliva? Read on to find out.
What is Suboxone and Its Ingredients?
Suboxone is a medication that contains two active ingredients: buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, which means it binds to the same receptors in the brain as opioids such as heroin and morphine but with a weaker effect.
Naloxone is an opioid antagonist, which means it blocks the effects of opioids.
What Factors Influence How Long Suboxone Stays in Your System?
Suboxone half-life is the time it takes for your body to reduce the concentration of a drug by 50%. The half-lives of buprenorphine and naloxone are 37 hours and 11-12 hours, respectively.
However, this doesn’t mean that Suboxone will be entirely out of your system in 74 hours (37 + 37).
Suboxone is a long-acting drug, so it can take several days or weeks to flush it out of your system thoroughly.
Several factors can influence how long the Suboxone strip stays in your body.
1) Age: Older adults metabolize drugs more slowly than younger people. It means the drug will stay in their system for extended periods.
2) Metabolism: People with a slow metabolism will take longer to process and eliminate Suboxone from their system. So, how long should you be on suboxone depends on how long it takes your body to metabolize the drug.
3) Weight: Heavier people tend to have more fatty tissue, which can store drugs for longer than leaner individuals.
4) Frequency and Dosage: The more you use Suboxone and the higher the dose, the longer it will stay in your system.
5) Liver and Kidney function: Your liver and kidneys are responsible for breaking down Suboxone so it can be eliminated from your body. If you have liver damage or disease, it will take longer for your liver to process the drug.
At a suboxone treatment center, you will be monitored closely to ensure that the medication works as it should and that you are not experiencing any adverse effects. You may be asked to provide a urine sample for testing purposes. The results of the medical tests can help your doctor determine how long suboxone stays in your system.
MidWest Pain Clinics offer Suboxone treatment Omaha to help those who suffer from addiction. Our expert doctors will create a customized treatment plan that meets your unique needs.