Suboxone is a medication designed to treat opioid use disorder (OUD) by easing withdrawal symptoms and reducing cravings without producing the high of full opioids. It’s a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone.
Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist. It binds to the opioid receptors in the brain which helps alleviate withdrawal and cravings without causing a strong high. It has a “ceiling effect,” meaning increasing the dose doesn’t increase the effect which lowers the risk of misuse and overdose.
Naloxone is an opioid antagonist. It blocks opioid receptors and is included to deter misuse. When taken as prescribed, naloxone remains inactive. If someone tries to inject Suboxone or use fentanyl, naloxone kicks in and triggers withdrawal symptoms, discouraging abuse.
If you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant, Subutex may be used in place of Suboxone. Subutex is buprenorphine only. It does not contain Naloxone. This has been proven as safe and effective for pregnant women and their unborn babies.
https://library.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/sma14-4442.pdf
