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Compare Suboxone vs. Butrans

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone, Zubsolv, Bunavail) and buprenorphine (Butrans) are both used to treat conditions related to opioids, but they serve different purposes. Buprenorphine/naloxone is a combination medication used to treat opioid dependence and is available as a sublingual or buccal film or tablet. It combines buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist, with naloxone, an opioid antagonist, to help control cravings and prevent misuse. On the other hand, buprenorphine (Butrans) is a transdermal patch used for continuous pain relief and is applied once a week. While both medications contain buprenorphine, Butrans does not include naloxone and is specifically designed for chronic pain management. Suboxone, Zubsolv, and Bunavail are not interchangeable due to different dosages and forms, whereas Butrans offers a consistent release of medication through the skin. Both medications have a risk of addiction and misuse, but Butrans also requires caution with heat exposure, which can increase the release of the drug from the patch.

  • Suboxone tablets (buprenorphine / naloxone)
    Buprenorphine patch (Butrans)
  • Suboxone tablets (buprenorphine / naloxone)
    Buprenorphine patch (Butrans)

  • Summary of Suboxone vs. Butrans

    Summary for Opioid partial agonist / Opioid antagonist
    Prescription only

    Suboxone tablets (buprenorphine / naloxone) are used for the maintenance treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) in adults. This medication-assisted treatment is given along with counseling and social and emotional support. It contains two active ingredients: buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, and naloxone is an opioid antagonist. The tablets are taken sublingually once per day (they're placed under the tongue where they dissolve). The dosage depends on each person's situation. Side effects include headache, pain, and nausea. It's a controlled substance because it has a risk of being addictive and being misused. <br> Note: The Suboxone brand name for the sublingual tablets is discontinued, but there are generic versions available. Buprenorphine/naloxone sublingual tablets are also available under the brand name Zubsolv.

    Summary for Opioid partial agonist
    Prescription only

    Buprenorphine patch, also known by its brand name Butrans, treats people with severe chronic (long-term) pain that isn't relieved with other treatment options. It works as an opioid partial agonist to help with pain. Buprenorphine patch (Butrans) is applied onto the skin once per week. This transdermal patch comes in many strengths. The pain specialist will decide on the dosage based on how severe your pain is and whether you were taking opioid pain medication before starting buprenorphine patch (Butrans). Side effects include nausea, dizziness, and headache.

  • Indications of Suboxone vs. Butrans

    Indications for
    •Maintenance treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) in adults (together with counseling and therapy)
    Indications for
    •Severe chronic pain that isn't relieved with non-opioid pain medications

  • Pros and Cons of Suboxone vs. Butrans

    Pros and Const for Opioid partial agonist / Opioid antagonist
    Pros
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    •Comes as a tablet that's dissolved under the tongue
    •Causes milder withdrawal symptoms than other common opioids if stopped suddenly
    Cons
    •Can cause bothersome side effects, such as headache, trouble sleeping, and nausea
    •Has a risk for misuse and dependency
    •Is a controlled substance, so there are special requirements for filling a prescription
    Pros and Const for Opioid partial agonist
    Pros
    •Applied on the skin once per week
    •An option for people who can't swallow pills
    Cons
    •Has many serious risks, like dangerously slow breathing, misuse, and addiction
    •Doesn't treat sudden breakthrough pain
    •Not the best choice for people who need to take large doses of opioids (greater than 80 mg of oral morphine equivalents per day)

  • Common Side Effects of Suboxone vs. Butrans

    Common Side Effects for
    •Headache (36%)
    •Withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety, goosebumps, stomach discomfort, irritability, cold sweat, joint pain, and watery eyes (25%)
    •General pain (22%)
    •Nausea (15%)
    •Sweating (14%)
    •Trouble sleeping (14%)
    •Constipation (12%)
    •Stomach pain (11%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Nausea (21%)
    •Itching at the application site (15%)
    •Dizziness (15%)
    •Headache (14%)
    •Sleepiness (13%)
    •Constipation (13%)
    •Vomiting (9%)

  • Warnings of Suboxone vs. Butrans

    Common Side Effects for
    •Potential for addiction and misuse
    •Potentially life-threatening slowed breathing (respiratory depression)
    •Risk for opioid overdose
    •Difficulty concentrating and extreme sleepiness
    •Harm to newborn babies
    •Low adrenal hormone levels
    •Withdrawal symptoms
    •Liver damage
    •Dental problems
    •Life-threatening heart rhythm problem (QT prolongation)
    •Low blood pressure
    •Not for use for pain or for people who haven't taken opioids before
    Common Side Effects for
    •Potential for addiction and misuse
    •Dangerously slow breathing (respiratory depression)
    •Risk for opioid overdose
    •Difficulty concentrating and extreme sleepiness
    •Harm to newborns when taken during pregnancy
    •Serious risks with patch exposure to high temperatures (e.g., heat, high fever)
    •Low adrenal hormone levels
    •Low blood pressure
    •Liver damage
    •Withdrawal symptoms
    •Seizures
    •Life-threatening heart rhythm problems (QT prolongation)

  • Prices with our coupons for Suboxone vs. Butrans

    Learn more about Suboxone tablets
    Learn more about Buprenorphine patch

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