Expert: Dr. Ravindra Bhaskar Ghooi - 5/5/2007

Question
Hi Dr Ravi,

I want to know about Suboxone and Subutex. My uncle used to be a drug addict and currently he is on a treatment. He often goes to the drug store and bought some expensive pills. There are a few times he asked me to take him to the drug store. Im just curious, what are these Suboxone and Subutex actually?? Are they some kind of de-addiction treatment? Thanks.

Answer
Hi Jason,
These are not available in my country. So my information is from books and the net. Sbuoxone and Subutex are both names of the same drug known as Buprenorphine, it is thebaine derivative. It is a powerful analgesic and has addictive properties, but it is certainly less addictive than heroin or morphine. It is quite commonly used to treat addiction. You can fnd a lot of information if you search under the name Buprenorphne.
Ravi Ghooi