How does Zubsolv affect you and for how long?

Zubsolv combines buprenorphine and naloxone to help treat opioid addiction in conjunction with counseling and behavioral therapy. Given as a tablet that is placed under the tongue to dissolve, Zubsolv starts to work quickly, often within 60 minutes of the first dose. The effects will last as long as you continue taking Zubsolv as directed.

Available only with a prescription, Zubsolv is taken daily as part of medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction.

Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist. It binds to opioid receptors in the brain but does not activate them as much as a full agonist such as heroin, oxycodone, methadone, hydrocodone or morphine would do. Zubsolv produces enough of a “high” to stave off withdrawal symptoms. It takes 24-42 hours for half of a single dose of buprenorphine to leave the body. This is known as the half-life. Buprenorphine can stay in the system for up to 11 days.

Naloxone blocks the effects of other opioids and can reverse an opioid overdose. It is primarily added to discourage the injection of buprenorphine. Naloxone will kick in immediately if the buprenorphine is injected or otherwise abused or misused. It has a half-life of 2 to 12 hours.

Zubsolv is available in six strengths:

• 0.7 mg buprenorphine/0.18 mg naloxone
• 1.4 mg buprenorphine/0.36 mg naloxone
• 2.9 mg buprenorphine/0.71 mg naloxone
• 5.7 mg buprenorphine/1.4 mg naloxone
• 8.6 mg buprenorphine/2.1 mg naloxone
• 11.4 mg buprenorphine/2.9 mg naloxone

The most common side effects of Zubsolv include:

• Headache
• Pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sweating
• Difficulty sleeping
• Constipation

Some more serious side effects of Zubsolv may include:

• Respiratory distress
• Addiction, abuse and misuse

Treatment with Zubsolv can continue indefinitely. Physical withdrawal symptoms may occur for up to one month after stopping treatment with Zubsolv. Treatment cessation should be done under medical supervision.