7
MEDICATIONS TO TREAT OPIOID ADDICTION
Medication Brand Names
Buprenorphine Sublocade® (Injection), Brixadi® (injection),
generics (films or tablets)
Buprenorphine
and naloxone
Bunavail®, Cassipa®, Suboxone®, Zubsolv®,
generics (films or tablets)
Methadone generics (liquid or tablets to dissolve
in water)
Extended release
naltrexone
Vivitrol® (injection)
WITHDRAWAL
• Opioid withdrawal refers to the wide range of painful and
unpleasant symptoms that occur after stopping or cutting
down on the use of opioids. Withdrawal can last more than
10 days but is most often between 3–5 days.
• Although it can cause very troubling symptoms (such as
vomiting, cramps and sweating), opioid withdrawal is rarely
life-threatening.
• Using medications to control withdrawal (also called
withdrawal management) is almost always recommended
over trying to endure withdrawal without treatment. When
patients do try to stop using opioids without treatment it can
lead to stronger cravings and continued use.
• Withdrawal management on its own is not a treatment for
opioid addiction and may increase the risk of relapse,
overdose, and overdose death.
• When treating someone for opioid addiction, medication
(methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone) in combination
with counseling and other support is usually recommended.
• Lofexidine and clonidine are safe and effective for
management of opioid withdrawal, but methadone and
buprenorphine are more effective and can be continued for the
treatment of opioid addiction.
• Opioid withdrawal management using ultra-rapid opioid
detoxification (UROD) is not recommended due to high risk
for adverse events including death.
