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Compare Suboxone vs. MS Contin

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

Key takeaways

Buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone, Zubsolv, Bunavail) and morphine (MS Contin, Kadian) are both opioid medications, but they serve different purposes and have distinct characteristics. Buprenorphine/naloxone is a combination medication used to treat opioid dependence, while morphine is primarily used to relieve pain when non-opioid medications are not effective. Buprenorphine/naloxone works by partially activating opioid receptors and blocking the effects of other opioids, which helps manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms. In contrast, morphine fully activates opioid receptors to reduce pain. Buprenorphine/naloxone is available in sublingual and buccal forms, whereas morphine can be taken orally, rectally, or via IV. Both medications carry risks of misuse and dependency, but buprenorphine/naloxone is a Schedule III controlled substance, while morphine is a Schedule II controlled substance, indicating a higher potential for abuse. Additionally, buprenorphine/naloxone is often used in combination with counseling and mental health support to treat opioid use disorder, whereas morphine is typically prescribed for pain management alone.

  • Suboxone tablets (buprenorphine / naloxone)
    Morphine
  • Suboxone tablets (buprenorphine / naloxone)
    Morphine

  • Summary of Suboxone vs. MS Contin

    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
    Prescription only

    Morphine is an opioid medication used to relieve pain when non-opioid medications don't provide enough relief. This medication comes as a pill, an oral liquid, as well as a rectal suppository. Depending on the form, it can be used to control sudden (acute) pain quickly or more long-lasting (chronic) pain. Common side effects of morphine include feeling sleepy, feeling dizzy, and having constipation.

  • Indications of Suboxone vs. MS Contin

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

  • Pros and Cons of Suboxone vs. MS Contin

    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
    Pros
    •Relieves pain that isn't controlled with non-opioid pain medications
    •Can relieve both quick, sudden pain and long-term (chronic) pain
    •Available in liquid form and suppositories for people who have trouble swallowing pills
    Cons
    •Risk of misuse and dependency
    •Can cause constipation
    •Must slowly lower the dose if you want to stop the medication after taking for a long time to prevent withdrawal
    •A controlled substance, so there are special requirements to get a prescription filled

  • Common Side Effects of Suboxone vs. MS Contin

    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
    •Constipation
    •Nausea
    •Vomiting
    •Sleepiness
    •Lightheadedness
    •Dizziness
    •Sweating

  • Warnings of Suboxone vs. MS Contin

    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
    •Potentially life-threatening slowed breathing (respiratory depression)
    •Risk of accidental overdose
    •Harm to newborn babies when taken during pregnancy
    •Difficulty concentrating and extreme sleepiness
    •Low hormone levels
    •Low blood pressure
    •Higher risk of seizures in people with seizure conditions
    •Physical dependence and withdrawal

  • Prices with our coupons for Suboxone vs. MS Contin

    Learn more about Suboxone tablets
    Learn more about Morphine

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