Compare Suboxone vs Methadone

Compare Suboxone

vs Methadone

Compare Suboxone to Methadone. To make a decision about Suboxone vs Methadone, click here for a Medication Risk Map to help you select Suboxone or Methadone

Click here for Drug Interactions and Side Effects of Suboxone.
Click here for Drug Interactions and Side Effects of Methadone.
Click here to see the effects of combining Suboxone and Methadone.

Uses of Suboxone

Suboxone is also known by the generic name Buprenorphine-Naloxone

USES:
This medication contains 2 medicines:
buprenorphine and naloxone. It is used to treat narcotic (opioid) dependence/addiction. Buprenorphine belongs to a class of drugs called mixed narcotic agonist-antagonists. Buprenorphine helps prevent withdrawal symptoms caused by stopping other opiate-type narcotics.

Naloxone is a narcotic antagonist that blocks the effect of narcotics and can cause severe narcotic withdrawal when injected. It has little effect when taken by mouth or dissolved under the tongue. It is combined with buprenorphine to prevent abuse and misuse (injection) of this medication. This combination medication is used as part of a complete treatment program for drug abuse (such as compliance monitoring, counseling, behavioral contract, lifestyle changes).

Uses of Methadone

USES:
This medication is used to treat moderate to severe pain. Methadone belongs to a class of drugs known as narcotic (opiate) analgesics. It works in the brain to change how your body feels and responds to pain.

This medication is also used to treat addiction to narcotic drugs (such as heroin) as part of an approved treatment program. It helps prevent withdrawal symptoms caused by stopping other narcotic drugs.

Suboxone and Methadone Have 3 Life Threatening (Major) Side Effects in Common

Critical Seriousness - Depression is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Suboxone and Methadone.

Critical Seriousness - Significant Decrease in Lung Function - Respiratory Depression is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Suboxone and Methadone.

Critical Seriousness - Reaction due to an Allergy - Allergic Reactions is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Suboxone and Methadone.

Click for a searchable interactive map of all Life Threatening Side Effects associated with Suboxone and Methadone.

Suboxone Has 7 Life Threatening (Major) Side Effects Not Found in Methadone

Critical Seriousness - Backache - Back Pain is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Critical Seriousness - Pain is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Critical Seriousness - Infection is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Critical Seriousness - Allergic Reaction caused by a Drug - Hypersensitivity Drug Reactions is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Critical Seriousness - Hepatitis is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Critical Seriousness - Yellowing of Skin or Eyes from Liver Problems - Jaundice is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Critical Seriousness - Abscess is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Click for a searchable interactive map of all Life Threatening Side Effects associated with Suboxone and Methadone.

Methadone Has 24 Life Threatening (Major) Side Effects Not Found in Suboxone

Critical Seriousness - Slow Heartbeat - Bradycardia is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Critical Seriousness - Vocal Cord Swelling - Laryngeal Edema is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Critical Seriousness - Itching - Pruritus of Skin is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Critical Seriousness - Hallucination - Hallucinations is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Critical Seriousness - Trouble Breathing - Dyspnea is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Critical Seriousness - Confused - Impaired Cognition is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Critical Seriousness - Prolonged Q-T Interval on EKG - Prolonged QT Interval is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Critical Seriousness - Abnormal Heart Rhythm - Conduction Disorder of the Heart is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Critical Seriousness - Shock is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Critical Seriousness - Inflammation of Skin caused by an Allergy - Allergic Dermatitis is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Critical Seriousness - Seizures - Seizure Disorder is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Critical Seriousness - Very Rapid Heartbeat - Torsades de Pointes - Torsades de Pointes is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Critical Seriousness - A Spasm of the Larynx - Laryngismus is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Critical Seriousness - Giant Hives - Angioedema is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Critical Seriousness - Increased Spinal Fluid Pressure - Increased Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Critical Seriousness - Complete Stoppage of the Heart - Cardiac Arrest is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Critical Seriousness - Collapsed Portion of Lung - Atelectasis is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Critical Seriousness - Bronchospasm - Bronchospastic Pulmonary Disease is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Critical Seriousness - Hives - Urticaria is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Critical Seriousness - Change in Pulse - Pulse Changes is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Critical Seriousness - Fluid in the Lungs - Pulmonary Edema is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Critical Seriousness - Fast Heartbeat - Tachyarrhythmia is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Critical Seriousness - Lung Failure causing Loss of Breath - Respiratory Insufficiency is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Critical Seriousness - Rash - Skin Rash is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Click for a searchable interactive map of all Life Threatening Side Effects associated with Suboxone and Methadone.

Suboxone and Methadone Have 2 Most Frequently Occurring Side Effects in Common

Incomplete or Infrequent Bowel Movements - Constipation is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of both Suboxone and Methadone. Feel Like Throwing Up - Nausea is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of both Suboxone and Methadone. Click for a searchable interactive map of all Side Effects associated with Suboxone and Methadone.

Suboxone Has 9 Most Frequently Occurring Side Effects Not Found in Methadone

Backache - Back Pain is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Head Pain - Headache Disorder is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Depression is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Pain is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Infection is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Chronic Trouble Sleeping - Insomnia is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Anxious - Anxiety is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Excessive Sweating - Hyperhidrosis is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Stomach Cramps - Abdominal Pain with Cramps is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Suboxone but not Methadone.

Click for a searchable interactive map of all Side Effects associated with Suboxone and Methadone.

Methadone Has 7 Most Frequently Occurring Side Effects Not Found in Methadone

Dizzy - Dizziness is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Methadone but not Suboxone.

Drowsiness - Drowsy is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Methadone but not Suboxone.

Abnormally Low Blood Pressure - Hypotension is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Methadone but not Suboxone.

Feeling Weak - General Weakness is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Methadone but not Suboxone.

Feeling Faint - Fainting is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Methadone but not Suboxone.

Throwing Up - Vomiting is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Methadone but not Suboxone.

Not Feeling Well - Malaise is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Methadone but not Suboxone.

Click for a searchable interactive map of all Side Effects associated with Suboxone and Methadone.

Suboxone and Methadone Treat 5 Conditions in Common

Narcotic Addiction - Opioid Dependence is treated by both Suboxone and Methadone.

Suboxone has 31 Condition Contraindications

If you have any of these Conditions then you should carefully evaluate the risks of taking Suboxone.

Suboxone Sublingual Contraindications
(grouped by decreasing seriousness level)

Absolute Contraindications

Pain in Opioid Naive Patients is a contraindication of Suboxone.

Paralytic Ileus - Paralysis of the Intestines is a contraindication of Suboxone.

Relative Contraindications

Abnormal Hepatic Function Tests - Abnormal Liver Function Tests is a contraindication of Suboxone.

Alcohol Intoxication is a contraindication of Suboxone.

CNS Depression - Abnormal Nervous System Function Affecting Mental Alertness is a contraindication of Suboxone.

Chronic Disease of Respiratory System - Chronic Lung or Breathing Passage Problem is a contraindication of Suboxone.

Chronic Hepatitis C is a contraindication of Suboxone.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease is a contraindication of Suboxone.

Chronic Type B Viral Hepatitis - Chronic Hepatitis B is a contraindication of Suboxone.

Congenital Long QT Syndrome - Abnormal EKG with QT changes from Birth is a contraindication of Suboxone.

Cor Pulmonale is a contraindication of Suboxone.

Head Injury is a contraindication of Suboxone.

Hypercapnia - Excess Amount of Carbon Dioxide in the Blood is a contraindication of Suboxone.

Hypoxia - Decreased Oxygen In The Tissues Or Blood is a contraindication of Suboxone.

Intracranial Hypertension - High Pressure Within the Skull is a contraindication of Suboxone.

Intracranial Lesion - Lesion of Brain is a contraindication of Suboxone.

Kyphoscoliosis with Respiratory Compromise - Curvature of the Spine with Respiratory Compromise is a contraindication of Suboxone.

Orthostatic Hypotension - Blood Pressure Drop Upon Standing is a contraindication of Suboxone.

Prolonged QT Interval - Prolonged Q-T Interval on EKG is a contraindication of Suboxone.

Respiratory Depression - Significant Decrease in Lung Function is a contraindication of Suboxone.

Respiratory Insufficiency - Lung Failure causing Loss of Breath is a contraindication of Suboxone.

Torsades de Pointes - Very Rapid Heartbeat - Torsades de Pointes is a contraindication of Suboxone.

Toxic Psychosis - Mental Disorder Resulting from Poisonous Agents is a contraindication of Suboxone.

Untreated Hypothyroidism - Untreated Decreased Level of Thyroid Hormones is a contraindication of Suboxone.

Contraindication Warnings

Adrenocortical Insufficiency - Decreased Function of the Adrenal Gland is a contraindication of Suboxone.

Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium - Psychosis caused by Sudden Alcohol Withdrawal is a contraindication of Suboxone.

Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy - Enlarged Prostate is a contraindication of Suboxone.

Biliary Tract Disorder - Biliary and Gallbladder Problem is a contraindication of Suboxone.

Debilitation - Weakened Patient is a contraindication of Suboxone.

Disease of Liver - Liver Problems is a contraindication of Suboxone.

Urethral Stricture - Narrowing of the Tube that Empties Urine From the Bladder is a contraindication of Suboxone.

Methadone has 27 Condition Contraindications

If you have any of these Conditions then you should carefully evaluate the risks of taking Methadone.

Methadone Oral Contraindications
(grouped by decreasing seriouosness level)

Absolute Contraindications

Hypercapnia - Excess Amount of Carbon Dioxide in the Blood is a contraindication of Methadone.

Paralytic Ileus - Paralysis of the Intestines is a contraindication of Methadone.

Pseudomembranous Enterocolitis - Severe Bloody Diarrhea from Antibiotics is a contraindication of Methadone.

Respiratory Depression - Significant Decrease in Lung Function is a contraindication of Methadone.

Torsades de Pointes - Very Rapid Heartbeat - Torsades de Pointes is a contraindication of Methadone.

Toxin-Mediated Diarrhea - Toxin from Microorganisms causing Diarrhea is a contraindication of Methadone.

Relative Contraindications

Acute Asthma Attack - Asthma Attack is a contraindication of Methadone.

Bradycardia - Slow Heartbeat is a contraindication of Methadone.

Chronic Disease of Respiratory System - Chronic Lung or Breathing Passage Problem is a contraindication of Methadone.

Congenital Long QT Syndrome - Abnormal EKG with QT changes from Birth is a contraindication of Methadone.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease is a contraindication of Methadone.

Prolonged QT Interval - Prolonged Q-T Interval on EKG is a contraindication of Methadone.

Contraindication Warnings

Acute Abdominal Pain - Intense Abdominal Pain is a contraindication of Methadone.

Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy - Enlarged Prostate is a contraindication of Methadone.

Conduction Disorder of the Heart - Abnormal Heart Rhythm is a contraindication of Methadone.

Disease of Liver - Liver Problems is a contraindication of Methadone.

Epilepsy - Epileptic Seizure is a contraindication of Methadone.

Gallbladder Disease - Disease of the Gallbladder is a contraindication of Methadone.

Head Injury is a contraindication of Methadone.

Hypotension - Abnormally Low Blood Pressure is a contraindication of Methadone.

Hypothyroidism - Underactive Thyroid is a contraindication of Methadone.

Intracranial Hypertension - High Pressure Within the Skull is a contraindication of Methadone.

Mood Changes is a contraindication of Methadone.

Procedure on Urinary System - Urinary Tract Surgery is a contraindication of Methadone.

Renal Disease - Kidney Disease is a contraindication of Methadone.

Substance Abuse - Misuse or Excessive Use of Drugs is a contraindication of Methadone.

Urethral Stricture - Narrowing of the Tube that Empties Urine From the Bladder is a contraindication of Methadone.

Suboxone - Symptoms of overdose may include
slow breathing, slow heartbeat, loss of consciousness.

Methadone - Symptoms of overdose may include
slow/shallow breathing, slow heartbeat, loss of consciousness.

Contact poison control
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.