buprenorphine vs buprenorphine/naloxone
PlainMeds reviewed this comparison against our methodology in August 2026. It places FDA and CMS record fields side by side, without recommending either medication.
Side-by-side comparison of buprenorphine and buprenorphine/naloxone. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
minor Known Drug Interaction
If concomitant use is warranted, strongly consider recommending or prescribing an opioid overdose reversal agent, as is recommended for all patients on buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] . Inhibitors of CYP3A4 Clinical Impact: The concomitant use of buprenorphine and CYP3A4 inhibitors can increase the plasma concentration of buprenorphine, resulting in increased or prolonged opioid effects, particularly when an inhibitor is added after a stable dose of SUBOXONE sublingual film is achieved. After stopping a CYP3A4 inhibitor, as the effects...
Subutex, Sublocade
Suboxone
Buprenorphine sublingual tablets help treat opioid dependence. It should be part of a full treatment plan with counseling and support.
Suboxone film contains buprenorphine and naloxone. It is used to treat opioid dependence as part of a complete treatment plan.
This medicine treats opioid dependence. Opioid dependence means you feel like you need to take opioids. This medicine can help you manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings.
Suboxone film is used to treat opioid dependence. Opioid dependence means you are addicted to opioid drugs. This medicine should be used with counseling and support.
Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist. This means it binds to the same receptors in the brain as opioids, but it does not activate them as strongly. This helps to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms without causing the same high as other opioids.
Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, meaning it has some opioid effects. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist, which blocks the effects of opioids. Together, they help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms without causing a strong "high."
- • Headache
- • Nausea
- • Vomiting
- • Sweating
- • Constipation
- • Mouth numbness
- • Tongue pain
- • Mouth redness
- • Headache
- • Feeling sick to your stomach
- Death 13,278
- Drug Dependence 12,452
- Overdose 10,911
- Toxicity To Various Agents 10,722
- Pain 8,157
- Feeling sick to your stomach 138
- Throwing up 92
- Reaction at the injection site 90
- Headache 79
- Problem with the medicine being substituted 73
Buprenorphine can be abused, like other opioids. Taking buprenorphine with benzodiazepines or other depressants can cause serious breathing problems, coma, or death. Keep this medicine out of the reach of children, as it can cause severe breathing problems and death. Using opioids for a long time during pregnancy can cause withdrawal symptoms in the newborn.
Buprenorphine can be abused, like other opioids. Taking Suboxone with other depressants like alcohol or benzodiazepines can cause serious breathing problems, coma, or death. Keep Suboxone out of the reach of children, as it can cause severe breathing problems and death if they take it. Using opioids for a long time during pregnancy can cause withdrawal symptoms in the newborn.
If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, talk to your doctor. Using this medicine during pregnancy can cause withdrawal symptoms in your baby after birth. Buprenorphine can pass into breast milk.
If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, talk to your doctor. Using Suboxone during pregnancy can cause withdrawal symptoms in the baby after birth. Buprenorphine passes into breast milk, so talk to your doctor before breastfeeding.
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How to Read This buprenorphine vs buprenorphine/naloxone Comparison
buprenorphine is classified in the Partial Opioid Agonist drug class, while buprenorphine/naloxone sits within the Partial Opioid Agonist / Antagonist class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, buprenorphine has 55,520 submissions while buprenorphine/naloxone has 472. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to taking these medicines together can slow down how your body breaks down the drug, leading to higher levels in your blood. this can make the opioid effects stronger or last longer than they should.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot represent individual circumstances. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This registry does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions for buprenorphine or buprenorphine/naloxone.
Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.