Methadone and Suboxone are used frequently to treat heroin addiction. These drugs have some similarities and differences as well. What they have in common is that both drugs act on the brains Opioid receptors. Both Methadone and Suboxone are prescribed by the doctor and are considered successful in the treatment of addiction.
Although at first glance, they may seem like the same thing, these medications have a lot of differences. For example, Methadone treats both chronic pain and addiction, while Suboxone is only formulated to tackle addiction. Moreover, Methadone works by changing how the brain and the nervous system respond to the pain, while Suboxone doesn’t fully stimulate opioid receptors in the brain since it’s a partial agonist opioid.
Methadone, a full agonist, reduces severe withdrawal symptoms and blocks the euphoric effects of heroin and other opiate drugs. Suboxone, being partial agonist opioid, could be less effective at managing withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
As mentioned above, Methadone is administered via tablets and solutions. The most common form of Suboxone is oral film.