A drug that counterfeits the effects of opiates that have caused millions and millions of lives to be destroyed because of addiction is now available. Subutex is a combination of two currently marketed medications, buprenorphine and naloxone. It will be used for the treatment of subjects with heroin and opiate addictions. It is a long-acting opiate mainly utilized to cire narcotic dependence. It is most usually sold as a capsule that dissolves under the tongue. Its main purpose is to prevent withdrawal symptoms from occurring in an individual, by stimulating the opiate receptors in the brain. Subutex has a greater attraction to the opiate receptors than other drugs such as heroin and methadone, which removes the desire to take such drugs.
Subutex binds so tightly to the opiate receptors, that taking heroin or methadone will have little or no effect. This substance is usually used in narcotic drug treatment programs, and prescribed in varying doses. The effects of subutex are less pronounced than those of other opiates, giving the individual the feeling of being somewhat “normal” once more. Buprenorphine is an opioid that is used to wean people off their addiction to stronger opioids such as morphine, diamorphine (heroin) and methadone. It is prescribed as a replacement for such drugs. By acting on the similar opioid receptors as other opioids, buprenorphine prevents the physical withdrawal symptoms that happen when these drugs are stopped. This prevents physical cravings. Over time, the dose of buprenorhpine is gradually reduced until it can be stopped completely. Moreover, buprenorphine substitution therapy for opioid addiction must be used in combination with other medical, social and psychological treatment.
We must also take into account that addiction would not leave an individual right after medication. The body would eventually adapt to the effects of subutex and thus would probably become reliant to it. Meaning to say, the person may be free from heroin addiction but in turn, become a subutex addict. Science has found a drug that could counterfeit the effects of certain drugs such as heroin and methadone, to stop withdrawal syndrome. However, just like any other drugs, subutex still has a negative effect on the body.
Some side effects of the drug are as follows: Drowsiness; dizziness; weakness; constipation; headache; nausea or vomiting; slow, shallow breathing; mental changes; mood changes (depression); stomach or abdominal pain; liver problems; dark urine; yellowing eyes; skin changes; vision changes; and death due to overdose). These effects could be qualified upon using subutex. Moreover, it could worsen if the drug is taken together with other substances such as alcohol.
Subutex (buprenorphine) can cause drug addiction. If the use of subutex is suddenly discontinued, the individual may experience withdrawal symptoms and/or the desire to decline and consume the addictive drug once more. When taken together with other drugs (antidepressants, alcohol, sleeping medicine, etc.), subutex may boost their effects and cause serious health hazards. Subutex can cause fatality from overdose if injected with a tranquilizer.
It’s easy access and less expensive price contribute to the increase in the number of subutex addiction cases. The fact that buprenorphine costs less than heroin and is more accessible has speeded up the development of illegal markets in various countries. Buprenorphine manufactured in India, for example, is smuggled into Nepal and Sri Lanka, as well as Bangladesh, where it is used by 90 percent of the country’s intravenous drug users, according to a UN Drug and Crime account last year.
It is quite upsetting to think that no single drug is free from becoming an object of addiction. People have to be watchful in taking both prescribed and non-prescribed drugs. These certain drugs could somehow be thought of as a traitor. At first they act as if they are giving you positive effects. Then later on, you become addicted to the drug and take the drug
regardless of the negative effects it is eliciting. It’s like the devil that tempted you to eat the apple from the forbidden tree and then left you when everything else went wrong.