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 (such as vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle
pain) 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.
• While rare, opioid withdrawal can be 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.
• Methadone and buprenorphine can treat both opioid withdrawal
and opioid addiction and are usually recommended.
• Lofexidine and clonidine are safe and effective for
management of opioid withdrawal, but methadone and
buprenorphine are more effective.
• Opioid withdrawal management using ultra-rapid opioid
detoxification (UROD) is NOT recommended due to high
risk for adverse events including death.
