Buprenorphine, commonly known as Suboxone is a medication approved by the FDA to treat opiate use disorder. It usually comes in a combination with Naloxone. It is started under the guidance of the physician in a process known as induction. The process entails adjusting doses daily for 2-3 days during which the dose is determined which controls the withdrawal symptoms. It typically takes 2-3 days for the induction process. After the induction, a patient can be maintained on the dose in the maintenance phase. The dose can be adjusted in the maintenance phase and can either be increased or decreased.
Buprenorphine taper is a process in which a patient is started first via induction and then slowly tapered off the medication allowing the person to work on themselves and gain control on their cravings without the use of Buprenorphine.
Buprenorphine also comes in other formulations including generic tablets, films applied on the inside of the cheek, and a micronized tablet version. The total dose is less but is similarly effective to the regular buprenorphine.
Sublocade is the long-acting injection for Buprenorphine.
Any of the above versions of Buprenorphine can be arranged for maintenance. The details are determined based on the evaluation.