Suboxone is a medication that is commonly used to treat opioid use disorder. But what many people don’t know is that it can also be prescribed for pain relief.
As a pain medication, Suboxone may ease chronic and postsurgical pain. When providers prescribe it for opioid use disorder, it can reduce cravings, alleviate withdrawal symptoms, and relieve pain as well. Either way, it can be a great medication to ease pain.
Buprenorphine and naloxone are the two active ingredients in Suboxone. Buprenorphine helps relieve pain and reduce cravings, while naloxone helps deter misuse by injection or snorting. This combination of ingredients is why providers prescribe Suboxone to people with chronic pain and opioid use disorder. It offers pain relief without a strong likelihood of triggering return to use. As always, if you have questions about this medication, Groups can provide guidance and support to help you understand your treatment options.
Let’s explore seven things to know about Suboxone as pain medicine, so you have the information you need to find the right medicine to help you safely manage pain.
7 things to know about using Suboxone as pain medicine
If you or your provider are concerned about the effects of short- or long-term opioid use for pain management, your provider may prescribe Suboxone to you as an alternative way to manage your symptoms. Suboxone may also be a good pain management option for people with a history of opioid use disorder (OUD) or other substance use disorders. With clinical supervision and support, this medicine is a safe and effective way to manage pain.
Here’s what you need to know about Suboxone as a pain medicine:
1. It can relieve chronic and postsurgical pain.
Suboxone is an off-label way to manage pain from serious injuries and chronic conditions (meaning not as prescribed by the FDA), including:
- Chronic back pain
- Arthritis
- Nerve pain
- Musculoskeletal pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Cancer-related pain
- Acute surgical or trauma pain
This option can be a great choice for people who have a history of opioid use. It works by binding to certain receptors in the brain, to reduce pain signals and provide pain relief.
2. It provides a lower risk of nonprescribed use than other opioids.
Suboxone is an opioid, but it works differently. Rather than fully activating opioid receptors, it partially activates them. As a result, it helps manage pain while lowering the risk of nonprescribed use. For people who have used opioids, this lowers the risk of returning to use. This can make it a safer option for long-term treatment than other medications.
3. It has a ceiling effect that limits high doses.
This medication has a built-in “ceiling effect,” which means taking more than the prescribed dose does not increase the feelings of euphoria or make you feel high. This is different from most other opioids, where higher doses can lead to pain relief and a higher risk of nonprescribed use. As a result, Suboxone’s ceiling effect reduces the risk of an accidental overdose while still managing pain.
The ceiling effect is why some providers prescribe Suboxone as a pain medication treatment for people in recovery or those with a history of opioid use. It allows them to alleviate pain while lowering the likelihood of returning to use.
4. It’s FDA-approved for OUD treatment, not pain medication.
The FDA has approved Suboxone as a treatment for opioid use disorder. However, it has not been approved as a pain medication. That doesn’t mean it can’t reduce pain. Suboxone just hasn’t gone through the FDA approval process for this specific use. Regardless, providers may still prescribe Suboxone off-label to treat long-term pain because it lowers the risk of returning to opioid use.
Research suggests that it can provide pain relief in people who have chronic pain and opioid dependence or use. Your provider can monitor your progress while you’re taking this medication to ensure that it’s safe and effective for you. By maintaining an open line of communication with your provider, you can help your pain relief treatment go as smoothly as possible. Your medication dosage and duration can be adjusted accordingly to help you achieve the best results.
5. It feels different than other opioids.
Many people taking Suboxone for pain relief notice that it does not produce a high like other opioids. They find that they can feel “normal” as the medication helps ease pain. Since Suboxone doesn’t produce the same euphoria as other opioids, people can continue to think clearly and focus on pain management.
It also lasts longer in the body than many other medications. Suboxone’s half-life ranges from 25 to 70 hours, meaning it stays active in your body longer. This helps a great deal with pain management and reduces the need for additional doses. Since it maintains a stable concentration in the bloodstream, it doesn’t provide the ups and downs that come with medication that acts for a shorter period of time.
6. It can reduce cravings while managing pain.
Suboxone can be used to help relieve pain for people with a history of opioid use without causing cravings. By partially activating opioid receptors, it decreases cravings. This benefit makes it a good option for people who want to manage their pain without increasing their risk of returning to opioid use. As a result, it can treat pain and substance use disorder at the same time.
7. It shouldn’t be stopped suddenly.
If you no longer need Suboxone, it’s important to come off of it gradually under the guidance of your provider. Stopping suddenly could make pain or withdrawal symptoms return.
These symptoms may include:
- Agitation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Sweating
- Sleep disturbances
- Cravings
Your provider can recommend how you can slowly lower your dosage safely to help your body adjust and prevent these effects. If you’re thinking about lowering your Suboxone dose or stopping, don’t try to do it on your own. Talk to your provider first to ensure your safety.
Have questions about Suboxone? Groups can help
Suboxone may be best known for treating opioid use disorder, but that’s not all it can do. As a pain medication, it can offer much-needed relief for people with a history of opioid use while decreasing your cravings. Many people worry that talking about taking Suboxone for pain relief will cause people to think they have opioid use disorder. It’s important to remember that this medication can be a safe and effective treatment for chronic pain. It could be the most appropriate treatment option to help you feel better.
If you think Suboxone may be a good option for your pain management, reach out to your provider or ask us at Groups. Our Recovery Support Coordinators can help you understand how it works and if it’s right for you, and discuss other treatment options. Call 888-858-1723 for more information. We provide treatment across the country — and we’re always expanding. See if we offer care in your state, either online or at one of our 130+ local offices. If Groups does not offer treatment in your area, you can locate other treatment options here.
