What Is Zubsolv (buprenorphine and naloxone) and How Does It Help with Opioid Addiction

When getting treatment options for opioid use disorder, you may come across the FDA-approved prescription medication, called Zubsolv.1 Zubsolv is a brand-name formulation of buprenorphine and naloxone, which work effectively for people experiencing opioid withdrawal and dependence on short-acting opioids. Before starting Zubsolv for opioid addiction treatment, learn how to take it safely, understand dosing, side effects, and the importance of pairing medication with counseling for lasting recovery.

ChoicePoint offers an online MAT clinic and buprenorphine and naloxone sublingual tablet prescription for opioid addiction treatment. Call 844.445.2565 to get the right medication for treatment!

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What Is Zubsolv?

Zubsolv is the brand name for a controlled substance. That means it comes with a higher chance that it will be abused or lead to dependence. Therefore, Zubsolv is intended to be used as part of a treatment plan in conjunction with counseling or behavioral therapy. For those asking, “Does Zubsolv contain naloxone?” Yes, the Zubsolv pill has a 4:1 buprenorphine-to-naloxone ratio.

1. Zubsolv contains buprenorphine (a partial opioid agonist that reduces cravings and withdrawal) and naloxone (an opioid antagonist that helps prevent misuse).
2. It’s used for opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment, similar to Suboxone, but Zubsolv has different strengths, a tablet form, and an absorption profile.
3. It’s taken sublingually (under the tongue), as directed by a healthcare provider.

What Is Zubsolv Used For?

Zubsolv is used to treat opioid use disorder by partially stimulating the opioid receptors to reduce drug cravings. Compared to other medications that treat opioid dependence, users report that it works without producing a high. Zubsolv medication comes in six different forms, each with a unique shape. Below are the available Zubsolv doses:

Typical Zubsolv Dosage For Opioid Addiction Treatment

Target Zubsolv Dosage: A single daily dose of 11.4 mg/2.9 mg.

How is Zubsolv Taken? 7 Ways to Administer Zubsolv

Treatment with Zubsolv can start as soon as you experience mild withdrawal symptoms from opioids. The severity of your withdrawal symptoms and the best time to begin taking Zubsolv will be decided by your doctor. At least six hours following your most recent opioid use, you will take your first dose of Zubsolv. 

1. Put the tablet beneath your tongue. 
2. If more than one tablet is necessary, keep them in different areas at the same time.
3. Wait for 1.5 to 2 hours between doses if instructed.
4. Allow the tablet to dissolve completely. 
5. Sip water to moisten their dry mouth. 
6. Avoid brushing your teeth for an hour.
7. Don’t mix it with alcohol, other opioids, certain antibiotics, antifungal medications, muscle relaxants, or insomnia medications.

How Long Does It Take For Zubsolv to Work?

Depending on the dosage, the effects may last anywhere from six hours to three days. Within 30 minutes, Zubsolv begins to reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms. However, it may take up to six hours to experience the full effects of the Zubsolv medication. 

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What Are the Benefits of Zubsolv For OUD?

Here are the advantages of choosing Zubsolv for opioid addiction treatment:

1. Faster dissolving time.
2. Small tablet size that is easy to consume
3. Reduces craving, reduces addiction severity.2
4. Has a preferred minty menthol flavor.
5. Remains active in the body for an extended time, reducing relapse rates.
6. Inclusion of naloxone discourages misuse.
7. The range of dosage forms allows for customized plan creation.
8. As more people prefer it over alternatives in film form, retention rates are high.3
9. Higher bioavailability makes it a good option for induction and the early stabilization phase.4

6 Important Things to Know Before Starting Zubsolv (Buprenorphine/Naloxone)

7 Common Zubsolv Side Effects

Taking this medication, even when taken as prescribed by doctors, has common side effects. Some of the Zubsolv side effects may disturb you more than others. If the severity of these symptoms becomes hard to endure, discuss it with your treatment provider. The side effects of Zubsolv include:

1. Nausea 
2. Headache
3. Sleep difficulties 
4. Lethargy
5. Constipation
6. Ache in the tongue, mouth, or throat 
7. Stinging sensation in the mouth 

Is Zubsolv A Suitable Option For You?

Now you know the answer to what is Zubsolv and its mechanism of action. Although Zubsolv plays a substantial role, there is another strong contender, Suboxone, for OUD recovery. A majority of people state that there is little reason to take Zubsolv when Suboxone is at your disposal. The most common challenge that people face when considering Zubsolv is the higher cost and the medication not being covered by insurance.

MAT For OUD at ChoicePoint When Zubsolv Isn’t An Option

If cost is the biggest obstacle in the way of recovery, choosing the Suboxone round orange pill or online Suboxone strips is a no-brainer. With our Suboxone MAT program, you leverage these benefits:

• Commercial and government insurance acceptance with quick insurance verification
• Same-day prescription
• Evidence-based addiction therapy services 
• Telehealth services for uninterrupted 24/7 support 
• Easy refills with pharmacies that fill Suboxone near me

Our rehab in Fair Lawn, NJ, curates customized plans with the OUD medication that fits your needs. Start our MAT program by filling out this form.

Further Information on What is Zubsolv & More

Take a glance to get the lowdown on what is Zubsolv:

1. Is Zubsolv generic for Suboxone?

No, Zubsolv is not Suboxone generic. There is no generic form of Zulsolv.

2. I’ve been on 8.9mg of Zubsolv twice a day for about a year. I can’t afford to keep seeing my doctor. How long will the withdrawals last?

Zubsolv withdrawal may last for up to one month. If you have affordability issues, you can talk to the addiction specialists in NJ to shift you to Suboxone. Finding an online Suboxone doctor that accepts Medicaid is a hassle-free and credible resource to continue treatment.

3. Will I have negative side effects if I take 2 mg of sublingual lorazepam 9 hours after taking my dose of Zubsolv?

The half-life of Buprenorphine in Zubsolv is 1-2 days, and the naloxone stays for up to 2 hours. You are unlikely to experience pronounced side effects if you wait for 9 hours between doses, but it’s important to take these after speaking to the doctor.

4. What can be expected in the switch from Zubsolv to Suboxone?

When the transition is made under the medical supervision of Suboxone doctors in NJ, your body maintains stability. You will get a Suboxone dosage equivalent to your Zubsolv dosing without any waiting period during the switch from Zubsolv to Suboxone. In case of side effects of Suboxone, the doctor will adjust the doses.

5. Can I mix Suboxone and Zubsolv?

Both contain the same ingredients in different strengths. There’s no reason for mixing these two prescription drugs. Involvement in prescription drug abuse can cause overdose and other fatal outcomes.

References

1. HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATION [Internet]. [cited 2025 Oct 17]. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2021/204242s019lbl.pdf
2. Heo Young-A, Scott LJ. Buprenorphine/Naloxone (Zubsolv®): A Review in Opioid Dependence. CNS drugs [Internet]. 2018 Sep 1;32(9):875–82. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30117074/
3. Gunderson EW, Sumner M. Efficacy of Buprenorphine/Naloxone Rapidly Dissolving Sublingual Tablets (BNX-RDT) After Switching From BNX Sublingual Film. Journal of Addiction Medicine. 2016;10(2):124–30.
4. Gunderson EW, Hjelmström P, Sumner M. Effects of a Higher-bioavailability Buprenorphine/Naloxone Sublingual Tablet Versus Buprenorphine/Naloxone Film for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence During Induction and Stabilization: A Multicenter, Randomized Trial. Clinical Therapeutics. 2015 Oct;37(10):2244–55.