Exact Answer: One To Two Hours
Suboxone is a mixture of two drugs, namely, Buprenorphine and Naloxone. The main benefit of taking the drug is that it helps treat opioid use disorder and reduces the mortality of the opioid use disorder by approximately fifty percent.
The molecular formula of buprenorphine consists of twenty-nine carbon atoms, four oxygen atoms, and a solitary nitrogen atom. In contrast, naloxone comprises nineteen carbon atoms, four oxygen atoms, and one nitrogen atom. Hydrogen atoms are responsible for filling all the remaining valences in both compounds. Apart from the name Suboxone, the drug mixture is also traded with Zubsolv, Bunavail, and a few others.
How Long After Using Can I Take Suboxone?
Buprenorphine is responsible for resulting expected opioid effects. However, taking a high amount of dose doesn’t give accurate results and can be harmful. In comparison, naloxone falls under the category of an opioid antagonist, and it competes with various types of opioids and blocks their effects. Naloxone is mainly given to a person through an injection. However, it can also be taken by mouth. Intaking the drug through the mouth has caused severe side effects in many individuals, and naloxone was observed to be poorly absorbed by this method.
Both these drugs were earlier used independently, but the combination of both the drugs was approved for medical usage in October 2002 in the United States. The European Union was a bit feared by the complications of the drugs, but it also allowed its usage from the year 2017 after finding the efficacy of the combination. However, a few generic versions of the drug are approved for medical purposes in many parts of the world. It is one of the most commonly prescribed medication combinations globally.
| Effect Of Suboxone | Time Taken After Taking The Suboxone Tablet |
| Immediate Effect | One to two hours |
| Total Working Time | Two to three days |
It is advised to take the first dosage of the medicine when a person experiences the first stages of withdrawal. The immediate effect of the drug mixture can be observed within one to two hours after taking the tablet. However, the tablet shows its effect for as long as two to three days.
Why Does It Take That Long After Using To Take Suboxone?
The mechanism of action of a suboxone tablet is straightforward. Buprenorphine binds opioid receptors very firmly and also helps in reducing pain in an individual’s central nervous system. It is also responsible for producing analgesic effects in the central nervous system. On the other hand, naloxone is an opioid antagonist that fights with various opioid molecules and prevents the molecules from binding with the opioid receptors. Both the drugs are found to be very effective and are very helpful in treating opioid use disorder.
It takes that long for suboxone to work because as soon as the tablet is taken through the mouth, it dissolves very quickly under the tongue, and it is absorbed by various cells present in our mouth. After that, the drug combination travels to the brain. The medicine reduces the craving for several opioids such as heroin and methadone. However, unlike other drugs, suboxone doesn’t make a person sleepy. A regular dose of the medicine should be taken under the guidance of a medical expert. Overdose of the drug should be prevented as it can alter the brain’s functioning and be harmful.
Suboxone is a beneficial medicine, but it also has some side effects. Some of the most common side effects are headaches, pain, difficulty sleeping, nausea, constipation, vomiting, and others. Some patients have also complained of acute alcoholism as well as liver and respiratory impairment. However, such cases have been rare.
Conclusion
Finally, it can be concluded that suboxone is a tablet consisting of two drug mixtures known as Buprenorphine and Naloxone. The former works in developing opioid effects, whereas the latter is responsible for working as an opioid antagonist. Suboxone is one of the most widely used medications globally, and it is very effective in controlling the cravings of an individual.
On average, it takes one to two hours for the medicine to show initial effects. However, the effects can last for as long as three days. There are also some side effects and complications of the medicine, and it is advised to visit a medical expert if a person feels any discomfort.