How long does Suboxone stay in your system?
Suboxone is a medication used to treat opioid addiction. It’s an important and powerful drug that can help many people overcome their opioid dependence. But how long does Suboxone stay in your system? This is a question that many people have when it comes to this popular drug.
Suboxone contains two synthetic opioids, Buprenorphine and Naloxone. Buprenorphine binds to the same brain receptors as other opioids, but with lower intensity and longer duration of action than full opioid agonists such as oxycodone or morphine. Naloxone helps reduce the risk of abuse by blocking the effects of opioids at higher doses, and also has an antagonist effect if injected intravenously. This means that if someone attempts to inject a large dose of Suboxone without diluting it first, they will experience physical withdrawal symptoms instead of getting high.
When taken orally, buprenorphine/naloxone (the active ingredient in Suboxone) is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream and reaches peak levels within 1-2 hours after taking it. The half-life for buprenorphine alone is 37 hours, while for naloxone alone it’s 2-4 hours. This means that it takes 37 hours for half the dose of buprenorphine to be eliminated from the body, and just 2-4 hours for naloxone to leave your system completely.
So how long does Suboxone stay in your system? Generally speaking, you can expect it to remain detectable in urine for up to 4 days after your last dose, although this can vary depending on things like body weight and metabolism rate. In blood tests, Suboxone may be detectable for up to 24 hours after you take it. In hair samples, traces can remain visible for up to 90 days following discontinuation of use – so in some cases it may be possible to detect use even 6 months after last usage!
It’s important to note that you should wait at least 24-36 hours between doses when taking Suboxone; taking too much too soon risks overdose or unpleasant side effects such as nausea or vomiting. Additionally, always work closely with your doctor while taking this medication; do not stop taking it abruptly without professional medical advice as doing so could lead to serious health repercussions since opioids are highly addictive substances!
Overall, Suboxone is an effective tool in treating opioid addiction on both short-term and long-term bases – but if taken incorrectly or abused then there are considerable risks involved which must always be weighed & considered before starting treatment! Be sure to speak candidly with your physician about your particular needs & expectations prior beginning any kind of opiate substitution therapy program & try your best stay cautious & vigilant with regards towards dosage & timing throughout treatment – no matter what stage you’re currently at during recovery!