Key takeaways
Buprenorphine (Buprenex) and naltrexone (ReVia) are both used in the context of opioid-related conditions, but they serve different purposes and belong to different medication classes. Buprenorphine is an injectable medication used primarily for severe pain management in hospital settings, while naltrexone is an opioid antagonist used to treat opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder. Buprenorphine is administered as an injection and is a Schedule III controlled substance due to its potential for dependence and abuse. In contrast, naltrexone is taken orally as a tablet and is not a controlled substance. Common side effects of buprenorphine include sleepiness, nausea, and dizziness, whereas naltrexone can cause nausea, headache, and trouble sleeping. Buprenorphine can interact with medications that slow breathing, while naltrexone requires you to stop all opioid medications before starting to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
