Belbuca vs Suboxone: Key Differences, Uses & Effectiveness

Why People Compare Belbuca and Suboxone

When it comes to medication used for the treatment of chronic pain, many patients become confused about which buprenorphine drug, Belbuca or Suboxone, is most appropriate, and the medications themselves are frequently referenced together by name.

While both Belbuca and Suboxone are medications that contain the same active ingredient, they serve different purposes and are used in different clinical environments. By understanding the differences between buprenorphine formulations [1], you will be better equipped to ask questions about your treatment and be empowered to help choose the best treatment for yourself.

At Epiphany Wellness, we believe that the best way to recover from addiction is through education. The purpose of this article is to provide a side-by-side comparison of Belbuca and Suboxone in terms of their similarities and differences, as well as the safety and efficacy of both medications.

Quick Answer Snapshot

Are Belbuca and Suboxone the same? No. Both medications contain buprenorphine, but Suboxone also contains naloxone. They are approved for different uses. Belbuca is prescribed for chronic pain, while Suboxone is used to treat opioid use disorder.

Which medication is more effective? Effectiveness depends on the goal. Belbuca is intended for pain relief, while Suboxone is considered a treatment for opioid addiction [2].

What Are Belbuca and Suboxone?

Belbuca Overview

Belbuca is a prescription medication that contains buprenorphine by itself. It is delivered as a small film that adheres to the inside of the cheek, allowing the medication to be absorbed through the oral lining.

Buprenorphine is classified as a partial opioid agonist because it activates opioid receptors [3] in the body at a lower level than full agonists do. This characteristic provides consistent pain relief while minimizing some of the euphoria associated with full agonist medications.

Suboxone Overview

The combination of buprenorphine and naloxone is the drug called Suboxone. The film or tablet form dissolves under the tongue and is used to treat withdrawal symptoms associated with the use of opiates.

Suboxone has been approved by the FDA for treating [1] people with opioid-use disorders. The most important function of this drug is to help alleviate the symptoms of withdrawal and reduce cravings during the recovery process from opioid dependence. Naloxone is included as a misuse deterrent [5]. If Suboxone is taken as prescribed, naloxone has little effect. If misused, naloxone can trigger withdrawal symptoms, which discourages injection of the drug or other unsafe use.

Suboxone is commonly used as part of medication-assisted treatment, often together with counseling and behavioral therapies.

Side Effects and Safety Considerations

Both Suboxone and Belbuca can produce similar adverse events due to the fact that they contain buprenorphine as their common active ingredient. Common side effects may include nausea, dizziness, constipation, headache, and fatigue.

Shared Safety Considerations

Because buprenorphine works in the central nervous system, the possibility of respiratory depression exists [2], especially when it is combined with any other CNS depressant or sedative compound. This is why medical supervision is essential when prescribing either medication.

Medications should be taken only as prescribed and be stored securely away from other persons.

A thorough medical evaluation is critical before starting either medication.

Key Differences: Belbuca vs Suboxone

Belbuca: Controls/relieves chronic pain

• Prescribed and administered via buccal film applied to the inner cheek
• Active ingredient: Buprenorphine only
• FDA approval for the management of chronic pain [3]

Suboxone: Combines buprenorphine with naloxone for the treatment of opioid use disorder

• Prescribed and administered via a sublingual film (or tablet) dissolved under the tongue, and is intended to treat overdoses and symptoms of withdrawal from opiates
• Active ingredients: Buprenorphine and Naloxone
• FDA approval for the treatment of opioid use disorder

In summary, Belbuca is a narcotic analgesic [2] that is typically used to manage chronic pain, whereas Suboxone is generally viewed as an opioid use disorder treatment. While both drugs are often combined with other forms of treatment (medication-assisted treatment) to help patients recover from addiction, they are distinct medications that have different intended uses.

Are Belbuca and Suboxone the Same?

The biggest takeaway from this article is that believing that Belbuca and Suboxone are interchangeable medications is incorrect; the two are completely different. Both drugs contain buprenorphine. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist [4] and produces some of the effects of opioids but does not activate all of the body’s opioid receptors.

There is a distinct difference between Belbuca and Suboxone because Suboxone has an FDA-approved use and contains naloxone (an opioid blocker). It is dangerous to switch from one drug to the other without proper supervision by a physician [5], as it will not yield effective results.

Shared Considerations in Treatment Planning

Using these drugs in conjunction with other types of clinical treatments will likely be more effective than using either one alone, according to research and clinical experience. At Epiphany Wellness, we advocate using medication in conjunction with therapeutic approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, to help an individual identify and change negative thought patterns that lead to maladaptive behaviors.