Naltrexone vs Suboxone

NaltrexoneNaltrexone SuboxoneSuboxone
This medication is used to prevent people who have been addicted to certain drugs (opiates) from taking them again. It is used as part of a complete treatment program for drug abuse (e.g., compliance monitoring, counseling, behavioral contract, lifestyle changes). This medication must not be used in people currently taking opiates, including methadone. Doing so can cause sudden withdrawal symptoms. Naltrexone belongs to a class of drugs known as opiate antagonists. It works in the brain to prevent opiate effects (e.g., feelings of well-being, pain relief). It also decreases the desire to take opiates. This medication is also used to treat alcohol abuse. It can help people drink less alcohol or stop drinking altogether. It also decreases the desire to drink alcohol when used with a treatment program that includes counseling, support, and lifestyle changes.This medication contains 2 medicines: buprenorphine and naloxone. It is used to treat narcotic (opioid) dependence/addiction. Buprenorphine belongs to a class of drugs called mixed narcotic agonist-antagonists. Buprenorphine helps prevent withdrawal symptoms caused by stopping other opiate-type narcotics. Naloxone is a narcotic antagonist that blocks the effect of narcotics and can cause severe narcotic withdrawal when injected. It has little effect when taken by mouth or dissolved under the tongue. It is combined with buprenorphine to prevent abuse and misuse (injection) of this medication. This combination medication is used as part of a complete treatment program for drug abuse (such as compliance monitoring, counseling, behavioral contract, lifestyle changes).
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Reviews
Add Naltrexone review
guest | 20.10.13
My main reason for writing this review is to hopefully prevent at least one person from going through the excruciating pain I have over the last 8 days. PLEASE make sure you have a card on you or make sure you tell your dentist or ER doctor that you are on this drug. I had 2 teeth pulled due to an infection in my gums... the pain medication didn't work AT ALL because of the Naltraxone. You would think our medical system might have systems in place for our doctors to know that before surgery but apparently not. Indescribable pain. Other than that, I've been super happy with Naltraxone. It's been a wonder drug for me. Given me my life and myself back. I don't bing anymore. Because there is no point. The drug makes it that way. Though I have noticed it easy to fall back to light drinking on a daily basis. Still have to use other tools to combate this. Not a wonder drug in that sense.
Happy_KimN | 21.09.13
At 50, I've been drinking for 35 years and struggling with it for the last 13. AA, rehab, Smart Recovery, Buddhism, addiction therapy--I've tried it all and while all of the above have helped me become a happier person, even after 8 or 9 months sober my brain still lit up when I was around alcohol. Two days after taking Naltrexone I was grocery shopping when I was hungry, tired and agitated--dangerous times--and I was expecting to have to really marshal my tools and willpower to walk out of that Publix without a bottle of wine. Well! Much to my surprise NOTHING HAPPENED when I saw a wine display. The wine aisle was just like every other aisle in the store. I couldn't believe it. I haven't had zero reaction to alcohol since I started drinking. I can now be in room with people drinking and actually forget their is alcohol in the room. With Naltrexone, I am actually FREE of this addiction. Not just sober--FREE. I knew that Naltrexone was supposed to block cravings and block the euphoric feelings of drinking, but I had no idea it would keep my brain from lighting up AT ALL. Like the other people this worked for, if you are struggling, I beg you to give this drug a try. It's been a literal miracle for me. Note: I did have some side effects at the beginning but it's hard to tell if that was Tramadol w/drawal which I was taking for pain and stopped when I started taking the Naltrexone (my physicial should have backed me off the Tramadol first.) In any case, it was worth it.
continue1 | 05.05.13
I have drank since I was 17 and became an alcoholic. Not able to quit on my own. Now I'm 44 years old and dr. prescribed this medication and I call it a wonder drug. It worked great for me.
BilboBaggins | 24.04.13
After 22 years of drinking and now completely unable to control it once starting and having periods where I can finish two bottles of wine plus a little more if necessary, I decided to try the medicinal route to changing things. Therapy and counselling has helped me resolve childhood issues and made me happier in general but this habit of not being able to drink reasonable amounts and relapsing badly after periodic abstinence periods has made life almost unmanageable. Naltrexone has been licensed in the UK for just over a year now for alcohol treatment. Regular GPs (General Physicians) through the NHS (National Health Service) may not know much about it but should be able to point you to an addiction clinic within the NHS system where an addiction counsellor with the guidance of another GP should be able to prescribe it. I took my first pill yesterday evening. After waiting for an hour, I felt a little calm but wanted to try the Sinclair Method by opening a bottle of wine. I must tell you I haven't drank that slowly in ages and I couldn't get past a glass and a half. It seemed pointless after that. I have had no bad side effects. Just a little tired today. I am going to take this pill along with the Sinclair method and see if I can truly break my alcohol addiction. So far things look as good as other people are indicating.
Add Suboxone review
JC | 21.02.14
HELLO, I HAVE BEEN ON SUBOXONE FOR SIX YEARS NOW. IT IS ADDICTIVE, U WILL GO THRU A LITTLE RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME IF U RUN OUT AND NOT SLEEP. ITS COSTING ME $10 A DAY FOR THE MEDS AND DR VISIT IS $150. I JUST NOW FOUND OUT ABOUT NALTEXONE THAT I CAN ORDER ONLINE WITHOUT A SCRIPT FOR $ 108 A MONTH. THINK IM GOING TO GO WITH NALTREXONE. BY THE WAY SUBOXONE DOES BLOCK ANY AND ALL OPIATE SUBSTANCES BUT NOT BENZOS. IF U ABUSE XANAX OR ANY OTHER BENZO U WILL GO THRU DETOX, U WILL FEEL LIKE SHIT NO MATTER HOW MUCH SUBOXONE U TAKE!!
all716 | 04.10.13
This medication has been a double-edged sword. It helped tremendously with any withdrawal symptoms and chance of relapse. However, I am dependent on suboxone now. I was told it is 100% safe during pregnancy. This is not true. My child was born dependent on the medication and went through methadone treatment his first month of life. If I had known it posed a risk to my baby, I wouldn't have gotten pregnant until weaning off suboxone completely. A good thing-- my child is 100% healthy and happy today 2yrs later. I do wonder about the effect of this medication on teeth. I have never found any research about suboxone and tooth decay.
nurseinTn | 01.10.13
Since being on Suboxone I have experienced an acute episode of renal failure, been diagnosed with a rare bone disease abd gave severe anemia. However, it has taken away my cravings for opiods. I just feel like I am addicted to the Suboxone now!
Asking | 26.09.13
So I just got my suboxone script. The doctor gave 4mg/1mg dose twice a day. I'm gone start taking it tomorrow. I have to see him once a week and I will be getting a urine test too. The only thing I'm worried about is people saying they have lost their teeth from suboxon is that really true? I asked my doctor about that and he said no. He also said if that happened the FDA would never approve it.