Suboxone can play a key role in opioid addiction recovery. If you are using Suboxone or thinking about starting it, you may wonder how long it stays in your body. Suboxone may stay in your system for seven to eight days or longer following each dose. Even when Suboxone is no longer detectable in your system, its traces may persist in certain systems in your body. For example, your saliva may contain traces of Suboxone for anywhere from a few days to more than a week.
Suboxone is a medication that can help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings for people experiencing opioid use disorder (OUD). Knowing how it works and how long it stays in your system can help you get a better understanding of how your treatment affects your body. With this guide, you can get answers to questions like “how long do Suboxone strips stay in your system?” and “do drug tests test for Suboxone?” Getting the answers to these questions can keep you informed on your treatment journey.
How long does Suboxone stay in your system?
The length of time Suboxone stays in your system depends on several factors. Key factors include your age, your metabolism, and how long you’ve been taking the medication. Buprenorphine, the main ingredient in Suboxone, has a long half-life. A half-life is how long it takes for half of the medication to leave your body. For buprenorphine, the half-life is about 37 hours.
This means that even after you stop taking Suboxone, it can stay in your body for several days. However, the amount of time it’s detectable depends on the type of drug test used. According to the Center for Drug User and HIV Research (CDUHR), routine drug testing does not currently test for buprenorphine, though there are urine tests for buprenorphine. Suboxone won’t show up on drug tests that don’t specifically screen for it. You should be able to undergo a regular drug test without worrying about testing positive due to Suboxone.
What is Suboxone?
Suboxone is a prescription medication used to help people recover from opioid use disorder. It combines two ingredients:
- Buprenorphine — Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist. This means it attaches to the same receptors in the brain as opioids like heroin or oxycodone. Buprenorphine doesn’t give you the same “high,” though. Instead, it helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
- Naloxone — Naloxone is an opioid blocker. It blocks the effects of opioids on the brain. By stopping the effects of opioids, naloxone can prevent misuse and overdose. This doesn’t mean that naloxone blocks medication under normal sublingual use. Instead, it mainly prevents misuse if someone tries to inject or snort their medication. While naloxone can block or reverse opioids in emergency settings, this isn’t its day-to-day function in Suboxone.
Suboxone is often taken as a tablet or a strip that dissolves under the tongue. Buprenorphine helps people stay in recovery by managing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. At the same time, naloxone works to prevent misuse. Suboxone can be well complemented by other treatment methods and support services. If you’re currently in recovery, you may want to find a provider that offers resources like support groups. Alongside a Suboxone prescription, these resources can help you make lasting progress.
How does Suboxone work in the body?
Suboxone works by partially activating opioid receptors in the brain. When these receptors activate, your body feels relief from withdrawal symptoms and cravings. The buprenorphine in Suboxone only partially activates these receptors. This means its effects are milder than those that full opioids produce.
Buprenorphine has a ceiling effect — even if you take higher doses of Suboxone than prescribed, its effects level off. The ceiling effect reduces the risk of misuse and overdose. Naloxone also helps prevent misuse and overdose by counteracting potentially harmful effects. Outside of Suboxone, naloxone is often used to reverse overdose symptoms.
Once Suboxone enters your bloodstream, it typically starts working within 30 to 60 minutes. Its effects last long enough that most people only need to take it once a day. Your provider can provide guidance on dosage amount and frequency.
How long do Suboxone strips stay in your system?
Suboxone strips are a form of medication that dissolves under the tongue. As they dissolve, these strips release the medication into the bloodstream. Once absorbed, they work the same way as other forms of Suboxone, such as pills and tablets. Suboxone stays in different physical systems for different amounts of time. It leaves the blood first. Suboxone may only be detectable in your bloodstream for a few hours after a dose. However, it may persist longer in things like hair and saliva.
Even if Suboxone is no longer present, it can leave behind metabolites in the body. In simple terms, a metabolite is a substance that is made when your body’s metabolism breaks down a food or drug. Metabolites are sometimes detectable with drug tests. Metabolites in the hair, for example, can persist for up to three months. Hair follicles are not typically tested, due to unreliability and other significant limitations.
How long does Suboxone stay detectable in urine?
Urine tests are the most common kind of drug test. Urine tests might be used by employers and medical professionals. With a urine test, the buprenorphine in Suboxone may be detectable for up to two weeks. The amount of time Suboxone stays in your system can vary depending on a number of factors, including your body’s metabolism, your dosage, and how long you’ve been taking Suboxone. People who take higher doses of Suboxone may have traces of it in their system for longer than those who take lower doses.
Do drug tests test for Suboxone?
Most standard drug tests, such as those used by employers, do not check for the ingredients in Suboxone. They typically test for common strong opioids like heroin, oxycodone, or morphine. However, some specialized drug tests can detect buprenorphine, which is one of the main ingredients in Suboxone. Some situations where you might be required to take a drug test include:
- Employment drug tests — Most employers do not test for Suboxone unless it is specifically requested.
- Probation-related or other legally required drug tests — These tests may be more likely to include buprenorphine.
- Clinical tests — When you’re receiving treatment for OUD, your doctor may use drug tests to ensure that you’re taking your medication as prescribed and staying in recovery.
- Pregnancy and postpartum — During pregnancy, your doctors may administer drug tests. Some hospitals are required to report when newborns are exposed to substances in utero. These reports may be required even for prescribed medications like Suboxone. While some states have safeguards to keep new mothers from being punished for using legal medications, it’s important to understand the rules in your state before taking Suboxone during pregnancy.
If you’re concerned about a drug test, it’s important to let the testing provider know that you’re taking Suboxone as prescribed. Suboxone is a legal medication. Being honest about your treatment can help prevent misunderstandings.
Should you stop taking Suboxone before a drug test?
No, you should not stop taking Suboxone before a drug test. Suboxone is a legal medication prescribed to help manage opioid use disorder, and stopping it suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Negative symptoms could include anxiety, breathing trouble, and body aches. Skipping doses or stopping without your doctor’s guidance can put your recovery at risk and may lead to setbacks.
If you’re concerned about Suboxone showing up on a drug test, be up front with the testing provider. Explain that you’re taking Suboxone as part of your treatment plan. Most employers and standard drug tests do not check for Suboxone unless specifically requested. If they do, medical professionals or legal agencies will generally make accommodations for prescribed medications. The best course of action is to continue taking Suboxone as prescribed and consult your provider if you have concerns.
If you have specific concerns about being on Suboxone during pregnancy and childbirth, it can help to talk to your doctors as well as your Suboxone provider. Some providers offer specialized support to help people navigate pregnancy while staying in recovery.
Groups can help you get a Suboxone prescription and other treatments
If you’re in recovery from OUD, Suboxone can play a pivotal role in treatment. At Groups, we offer fast, convenient access to Suboxone prescriptions. Our team is committed to helping each member achieve their recovery goals. We understand that sometimes, that involves more than medication. In addition to Suboxone, we offer support groups and life-goal assistance. With our help, you can build the life you want.
Give our Recovery Support Specialists a call today for more information about how Suboxone works or to begin your recovery. If Groups doesn’t offer treatment in your state, you can locate other treatment options here.
