Belbuca vs Suboxone: Which Is Better for Opioid Addiction?

Belbuca is a medication used to treat opioid use disorder. It’s relatively new, having been approved by the FDA in 2015. By contrast, Suboxone is an older drug, having been on the market since 2002. Aside from being newer than Suboxone, it also functions somewhat differently, with different goals in mind. In this article, we’ll go over the advantages and disadvantages of Belbuca vs Suboxone and tell you what you need to know.

Belbuca vs Suboxone: What’s the Difference?

Both Belbuca and Suboxone contain buprenorphine. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, meaning it binds to the same receptors in the brain activated by opioids like heroin or morphine while producing weaker effects than those drugs.

However, the two drugs have slightly different purposes.

Belbuca vs Suboxone – Purposes:

• Belbuca – Prescribed for chronic pain management in clients undergoing opioid addiction treatment.
• Suboxone – Used for controlling opioid withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

The two drugs are also formulated differently. While both drugs contain buprenorphine, Suboxone also contains naloxone. Naloxone is a drug that blocks buprenorphine’s effects if it is injected or taken in some other way than sublingually (under the tongue), as intended. This means the drug is protected against abuse.

The differences don’t stop there. The name Belcuca relates to the term “buccal,” which means having to do with the cheek. Belbuca is a buccal film that dissolves in the cheek, allowing for consistent absorption and, thus, steady pain relief. By contrast, Suboxone is a sublingual tablet, meaning it dissolves under the tongue.

When considering Belbuca vs Suboxone, the key point is that Belbuca is primarily used for chronic pain with buprenorphine alone, while Suboxone is used for opioid addiction treatment with a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. Each medication has a distinct purpose, but both are formulated to provide safer alternatives to traditional opioids.

What Is Belbuca?

Belbuca is a partial opioid agonist used to manage chronic pain in individuals who need long-term opioid addiction treatment. Unlike traditional opioids, which were themselves designed for pain relief, Belbuca carries a lower risk of addiction.

One of the main reasons it’s less addictive is due to its ceiling effect – higher doses do not lead to greater effects past a certain point. This limits the risks common to traditional opioids, such as respiratory depression and fatal overdose.

How Does Belbuca Work?

Belbuca works by utilizing buprenorphine, which binds to the brain’s opioid receptors. This activates those receptors, thus quieting cravings and withdrawal symptoms that may otherwise occur.

Because Belbuca is a partial opioid agonist, it only partially stimulates these receptors. It provides some pain relief, and its limited potency avoids the potential for addictive euphoria other opioids bring. It’s taken as a buccal film, meaning it absorbs into the cheek of the user.

What Is Suboxone?

Like Belbuca, Suboxone is an FDA-approved prescription medication for treating opioid addiction. However, unlike that medication, It’s a 4:1 formulation of buprenorphine and naloxone. Suboxone helps individuals recover from opioid dependence by reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings while also lowering the risk of misuse.

How Does Suboxone Work?

Suboxone leverages buprenorphine to alleviate cravings and withdrawal symptoms from opioids. It is typically taken as a sublingual film or tablet, meaning it is placed under the tongue to dissolve and be absorbed into the bloodstream.