What happens if someone on methadone or with a heroin habit takes buprenorphine?
Buprenorphine can produce opioid agonist effects (like heroin) or opioid antagonist effects (like Narcan) depending on several factors, including: How much of a habit the person has (that is, how much methadone they are on or how much heroin they are using). How long it has been since the person last took methadone or heroin. How they take the buprenorphine ( e.g. orally, sublingually, or by injection). What formulation of buprenorphine they take (Subutex or Suboxone). In general, the more recently someone has used methadone or heroin, the greater the chance that the buprenorphine will cause them to experience withdrawal symptoms. Generally also, the higher the person’s tolerance (the amount of heroin or methadone they need to prevent withdrawal) the greater the chance that the buprenorphine will cause them to experience withdrawal symptoms. Q: After addiction treatment – any treatment, drug-free, various types maintenance and/or detoxification – relapse to illicit opiate use is the ru
