Zubsolv vs Suboxone; Effective OUD Treatment

Suboxone and Zubsolv are part of the medication-assisted treatment, prescribed for alleviating withdrawal symptoms and curbing cravings for opioids. They both are Buprenorphine/Naloxone products, but they do differ in their action. Here are the profound differences between Zubsolv vs Suboxone:

• Zubsolv has higher bioavailability than Suboxone, but it’s more costly
• Suboxone is available in generic, but Zubsolv is not
• Zubsolve comes in six strengths, but Suboxone has four
• Zubsolv might taste less bitter than Suboxone

ChoicePoint offers medically supervised opioid detox near you, combining MAT and behavioral therapy. Reach out to us today to kickstart your recovery 844.445.2565.

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Highlights

• Zubsolv and Suboxone are prescribed for treating opioid addiction
• Although they both are Buprenorphine/Naloxone products, their formulation varies
• Zubsolv gets dissolved more quickly than Suboxone
• Suboxone is less costly than Zubsolv and has insurance coverage available.

How Does Zubsolv and Suboxone Work?

Zubsolv and Suboxone are prescribed for reducing drug cravings and managing the withdrawal symptoms of opioid use disorder (OUD). They consist of Buprenorphine and Naloxone as an active ingredient. This is how Suboxone and Zubsolv work:

1. Opioids attach to the special regions in the brain, called opioid receptors 
2. Quitting opioids makes these receptors empty, which results in withdrawal symptoms
3. Buprenorphine has more affinity for these opioid receptors than other opioids
4. Zubsolv and Suboxone displace opioids from their receptors and bind to them
5. Opioid receptors become stabilized, which reduces the withdrawal and keeps the cravings in check

Zubsolv Vs Suboxone: What Is The Difference Between The Two? 

Zubsolv vs Suboxone have same active ingredients but differ in their strengths, formulation, cost, and taste. So, let’s understand their profiles to know which medicine you should choose for your recovery:

1. Dosage Strengths and Forms

Orexo manufactures Zubsolv as a sublingual tablet. Suboxone comes in a film as well as a pill and is mostly placed inside the cheek. Buprenorphine and Naloxone are released from the tablet/ film and enter the brain through the bloodstream. Zubsolv is available in six strengths, but Suboxone has only four.  

Zubosolve’s strengths for buprenorphine hydrochloride /naloxone hydrochloride dihydrate are:

0.7 mg buprenorphine /0.18 mg naloxone

1.4 mg buprenorphine/0.36 mg naloxone 

2.9 mg buprenorphine/0.71 mg naloxone

5.7 mg buprenorphine/1.4 mg naloxone

8.6 mg buprenorphine/2.1 mg naloxone

11.4 mg buprenorphine/2.9 mg naloxone

Suboxone’s strengths include: 

2 mg buprenorphine/0.5 mg naloxone

4 mg buprenorphine/1 mg naloxone

8 mg buprenorphine/2 mg naloxone

12 mg buprenorphine/3 mg naloxone

2. Onset and Duration of Action

Zubsolv sublingual tablets weigh one-by-four the size of Suboxone. The lighter weight allows it to dissolve within 5 minutes, so it kicks in quickly. You can start to experience the effects of Zubsolv in less than 60 minutes, lasting for about 24 hours. Suboxone, on the other hand, takes longer than Zubsolv to start working, but its effects can last for about 36 hours.

3. Composition 

Suboxone and Zubsolv vary in their formulation. For instance, to mask the bitter taste of Naloxone, Suboxone has acesulfame K in it, whereas Zubsolv’s masking agents are two sweeteners, sucralose and menthol. These sweeteners make Zubsolv less bitter than Suboxone. 

4. Zubsolv vs Suboxone Bioavailability

Zubsolv has higher bioavailability than Suboxone, which means:

• Its faster dissolve time allows it to get to the target of the action (the brain), quicker 
• Zubsolv provides more amount of Buprenorphine available to capture the opioid receptors

As a result, the higher bioavailability allows Zubsolv to get you a similar Buprenorphine at approximately 30% lower dose as compared to that of Suboxone, making Zubsolv more portent. 

5. Suboxone vs Zubsolv: The Variation In The Cost

Zubsolv is only available as a brand name and has a higher cost than Suboxone which comes as a brand and generic buprenorphine/Naloxone film. You can get Suboxone at quite an affordable price. Another advantage Suboxone holds is that it is covered by most insurance plans. Whereas Zubsolv might not be. Depending on your coverage, you can get a 90% discount on Suboxone price. 

Dosage Guidelines Of Suboxone and Zubsolv

Here is what one Zubsolv corresponds to the Suboxone dose:

This means you might have to take two doses of Suboxone to make it equal to Zubsolv 11.4 mg.

Similarities Between Suboxone and Zubsolv

Here is what makes them similar, other than the fact that they have similar active ingredients:

• Zubsolv and Suboxone are sublingual tablets
• They have similar side-effects
• They are equally effective in treating opioid addiction
• They have low abuse potential
• Prescribed to individuals over the age of 15 years
• Their induction begins on the onset of opioid withdrawal symptoms
• Suboxone and Zubsolve need to combine counseling and behavior therapies for comprehensive treatment

Insurance-Covered MAT for Opioid Addiction Treatment

Suboxone vs Zubsolv In A Nutshell: What Should You Choose?

There is no straightforward answer to which medication you should opt for. The choice between Zubsolv and Suboxone depends on your characteristics, including:

• Your health status
• Ability to tolerate buprenorphine
• Your finances 
• Your addiction treatment plan

You should always work with an addiction medicine doctor to know which medicine to go with.

Get The Addiction Medicine In NJ

ChoicePoint is an addiction treatment center located in New Jersey. Our virtual clinic allows you to get medicine prescriptions from the comfort of your home. You receive online consultation on which medicine to choose between Zubsolv vs Suboxone. Here is how it works:

1. Call us 844.445.2565
2. Verify your insurance
3. Receive your login details
4. Meet your addiction medicine doctor
5. Discuss your requirements
6. Receive e-prescription for the medicine of your choice via email

Whether you need Suboxone round orange pill or strips or any other medications to curb your cravings, get your prescription today!

Frequently Asked Questions About Zubsolv Vs Suboxone

Here is some more insight on Buprenorphine/Naloxone products to help you make an informed decision

Is Zubsolv A Narcotic?

Yes, Zubsolv can be considered a narcotic as its active ingredient, Buprenorphine, is a partial opioid (activates some of the opioid receptors). Unlike full opioids, Zubsolv has a ceiling effect, and after a certain dose, it does not cause many side effects. It carries a lower risk of abuse, as it has Naloxone in it, which being an opioid deterrent prevents the misuse. 

How Long Does Zubsolv Last?

Zobsolv can last for about 7-9 days in your system depending on the half-life of Buprenorphine and Naloxone (its active ingredients) which is as follows: 

• Sublingual buprenorphine half life=  31 hours to 35 hours and lasts for a total of 5–8 days
• Naloxone half-life = 30–80 minutes, and remains in the body for no more than 90 minutes

Considering this, you can expect Zobsolv to leave your body within a week or 8 days.

Does Suboxone Increase Dopamine?

Yes, Suboxone can increase dopamine as it attaches to mu-receptors (also known as opioid receptors) in the brain. The activation of these receptors releases dopamine chemicals that generate rewarding sensations and euphoria. 

Are Zubsolv and Suboxone the Same Thing?

Suboxone and Zubsolv have the same active ingredients, buprenorphine, and naloxone, so in terms of their active ingredients and mode of action, they are the same. They both are FDA-approved partial opioid agonists that block the effects of opioids. However they are two different brand-name medications, and they vary in their taste and potency.

Can You Take Suboxone and Zubsolv Together?

Zubsolv and Suboxone consist of Buprenorphine and Naloxone. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agnostic so it partially activates the opioid receptors and taking them together can.

What Is 8.6 mg of Zubsolv Equal To In Suboxone?

8.6/2.1 mg of Zubsolv is equal to 12/3 mg of Suboxone. Zubsolv offers about 60% more Buprenorphine than the same dose of Suboxone. So, if you are taking 12 mg of Suboxone, an 8.6 mg of Zubsolv will complement that dose. 

References

1. Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy. 2015. Pharmaceutical and pharmacokinetic characterization of a novel sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone tablet formulation in healthy volunteers
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24099551/
2. CNS Drugs. 2018. Buprenorphine/Naloxone (Zubsolv®): A Review in Opioid Dependence
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30117074/