Hope Integrative Medicine · Medication guide
Generic buprenorphine tablets: what to expect
Buprenorphine on its own, in a tablet that dissolves under the tongue, often used for the first days of treatment.
At a glance
- Form
- Tablet that dissolves under the tongue
- How often
- Once a day
- Given by
- You, as prescribed
What it is
Buprenorphine eases opioid withdrawal and cravings. These tablets contain buprenorphine alone, without naloxone.
The brand Subutex is no longer sold; generic tablets are available. They are Schedule III controlled medications.
Who it is for
Adults with opioid use disorder. The label calls these tablets preferred for the first days of treatment (induction); combination tablets with naloxone are preferred for ongoing treatment.
How it is taken
Place the tablet under your tongue and let it dissolve completely.
- Do not chew the tablet or swallow it whole.
- Take it exactly as prescribed.
How often
Once a day.
Getting started
Treatment begins with an in-person visit in our West Ashley office. The label says the first dose comes not less than 4 hours after the last short-acting opioid, or 24 hours after a long-acting one.
- The dose is adjusted over the first days until withdrawal and cravings are under control.
- Many people then move to a combination product with naloxone for ongoing treatment.
Ready for the first step?
New patients are often able to be scheduled within a week of requesting an appointment.
Your visits
Treatment typically begins with an in-person assessment, followed by weekly in-person or virtual visits before moving to a monthly schedule. Each plan is tailored to the patient and their situation.
If problems come up, visits become more frequent again until things are steady.
- A withdrawal check at every visit, using the Subjective Opiate Withdrawal Scale (SOWS).
- A urine drug test at every visit: a point-of-care test in our West Ashley office or a test at a local lab near you, with confirmatory lab testing when a result needs it.
- A urinalysis when needed. Some people have trouble urinating while taking buprenorphine, so we check for urinary retention or a urinary tract infection when symptoms point to it.
- Screening for depression and anxiety at every visit.
- Monthly counseling, alongside your medication visits.
- A review of how you are doing, side effects and your goals.
Safety
- At a stable prescribed dose, buprenorphine does not cause a high, and its overdose risk is much lower than illicit opioids. It can still be dangerous with alcohol, benzodiazepines or other sedatives, and it must be locked away from children.
- Taking it too soon after other opioids can bring on sudden withdrawal.
- Tell your provider about every medicine you take, especially benzodiazepines or other sedatives.
Common Questions
Yes. Subutex was the brand name for buprenorphine-only tablets. The brand is no longer sold, and generic tablets are used instead.
The label prefers buprenorphine-only tablets for the first days of treatment. Many people then switch to a combination product with naloxone, which is preferred for ongoing treatment.
Treatment typically begins with an in-person assessment, followed by weekly in-person or virtual visits before moving to a monthly schedule. Each plan is tailored to the patient and their situation.
There is no set time limit for buprenorphine treatment. Some people stay on it long term; others choose to taper off. A taper is slow, usually over several months, with close follow-up, and you decide on it together with your provider.
Opioid use disorder treatment, step by step
This article is general information, not medical advice, and does not create a patient–provider relationship. Every situation is different, so see a provider who can evaluate yours and develop a plan of care. Any medication discussed here may not be right for you: the right choice depends on your diagnoses, other health conditions and current medicines, so take medication only as directed by the provider managing your care. If you are ever in doubt about an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.