Methadone vs Suboxone: Benefits, Side Effects, Effectiveness

Nicholas Weiss, LMSW, CAADC

Clinical/Program Director

Nicholas serves as the clinical/program director at Rushton Recovery. He oversees the development of programming materials for residential clients, supervises clinical staff and interns, and provides both individual and group therapy to clients.

Nicholas earned his bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Michigan in 2008, with a minor in health education and behavior. He continued his education by completing his master’s degree in social work in 2009, launching a career dedicated to supporting individuals with severe and persistent mental illness.

Over the years, Nicholas has worked with children, adults, families, and couples, helping them navigate complex mental health challenges.

In recent years, Nicholas’s focus has shifted to working with individuals facing substance use disorders. As a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC), he has developed a deep understanding of addiction as a disease that requires compassion and specialized care.

Throughout his career, Nicholas has remained dedicated to empowering individuals to reclaim their lives and achieve lasting well-being and sobriety.

Nicholas Weiss, LMSW, CAADC

Clinical/Program Director

Nicholas serves as the clinical/program director at Rushton Recovery. He oversees the development of programming materials for residential clients, supervises clinical staff and interns, and provides both individual and group therapy to clients.

Nicholas earned his bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Michigan in 2008, with a minor in health education and behavior. He continued his education by completing his master’s degree in social work in 2009, launching a career dedicated to supporting individuals with severe and persistent mental illness.

Over the years, Nicholas has worked with children, adults, families, and couples, helping them navigate complex mental health challenges.

In recent years, Nicholas’s focus has shifted to working with individuals facing substance use disorders. As a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC), he has developed a deep understanding of addiction as a disease that requires compassion and specialized care.

Throughout his career, Nicholas has remained dedicated to empowering individuals to reclaim their lives and achieve lasting well-being and sobriety.

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Did you know both Methadone and Suboxone are effective treatments for people who suffer from misuse of opioids such as oxycontin, percocet, hydromorphone, heroin, and fentanyl? They are similar but have some important differences. 

Read on to learn more about each and the difference between them.

What is Methadone? 

Methadone is a long-acting prescription drug used in methadone maintenance programs. The effects of methadone usually last for 24-36 hrs. In contrast, a person using short-acting opioids typically uses multiple times a day to avoid withdrawal. 

Methadone is an opioid agonist, meaning it stimulates opioid receptors in the brain and binds very tightly to them, blocking other opioids from being able to bind to these receptors. It acts on the same parts of the brain without causing the high. This can ease symptoms of withdrawal from opioids. 

Due to this reaction, methadone decreases the risk of feeling the effects of other opioids and possibly overdosing. This is key as many people say that painful withdrawal symptoms are the main reason for returning to opioid misuse.

The length of treatment varies from one to two years to 20 years or more. If the person and their doctor agree to end taking methadone the dose is tapered down gradually over many weeks to months, easing the withdrawal process.

What is Suboxone? 

Suboxone is the brand name of a medication that eases the symptoms of withdrawal from opioids. It’s made of two different drugs: naloxone and buprenorphine. 

Buprenorphine is an opioid partial agonist and also stimulates opioid receptors in the brain. It has a ceiling effect, unlike other opioid medications. Taking more won’t deliver a larger effect. This can help reduce symptoms of opioid cravings and withdrawal, similar to methadone. 

Naloxone reduces the ability of opioids to act on the brain’s receptors. When taken appropriately, it has no effects on the body unless someone misuses it, such as by injecting it. As the brand Narcan, it is also used to treat opioid overdoses. 

Suboxone acts on the same parts of the brain as methadone but less strongly. It is usually taken under the tongue. Naloxone is added because it can cause painful withdrawal symptoms if injected. This prevents people from misusing it.

Suboxone may be started without a doctor’s prescription. Suboxone’s chemistry makes it less addictive than methadone. And it doesn’t cause as intense a high as methadone.

Side Effects Compared

Side effects can happen during use of methadone and suboxone. They include (from University of Illinois and Healthline.com) [1]:

Common Side Effects

Methadone Suboxone

Lightheadedness

Y

Y

Dizziness

Y

Y

Fainting

Y

Sleepiness

Y

Y

Nausea and vomiting Y

Y

Sweating Y

Y

Constipation Y

Y

Stomach pain Y

Numbness in mouth

Y

Swollen or painful tongue

Y

Redness in mouth

Y

Trouble paying attention

Y

Faster or slower heart rate

Y

Blurry vision

Y

Serious side Effects

Methadone

Suboxone

Addiction

Y

Y

Severe breathing problems Y

Y

Heart rhythm problems Y

Problems with coordination

Y

Severe stomach pain

Y
Seizures

T

Allergic reaction

Y

Y

Opioid withdrawal

Y

Low blood pressure

Y

Liver problems

Y

Methadone vs Suboxone 

The following table compares methadone with suboxone [2] [3]:

Characteristic

Methadone

Suboxone

Synthetic drugs

Yes

Yes

Bind to opioid receptors in brain

Yes

Yes

Treat opioid addiction

Yes

Yes

Schedule II

Controlled Substance 

Yes

Yes

Prescription needed

Yes

From a specialized treatment center 

Yes

By any healthcare provider

Doctor present

At first

Minimum duration

1 year

Drug ingredients

Methadone

Naloxone and Buprenorphine 

Method of taking the drug

Flavored drink

  • Sub-lingual pill (under the tongue
  • Implant under the arm
How often taken

Daily

  • Pill: Daily
  • Implant: Every 6 months
Time to take effect

Weeks

Days

Effects on opiate withdrawal

Ease withdrawal symptoms by stimulating the brain’s opioid receptors

Same as methadone

Potential for addiction

Yes

Yes

Doctor’s supervision required

Yes

No

Taken within a dedicated addiction program

Yes

No

Dosage

Lower than Suboxone

Higher than Methadone

Flexible dosing

Yes

No

Addictiveness

Greater than Suboxone

Lesser than Methadone

Effectiveness for avoiding relapses

Greater than Suboxone

Lesser than Methadone

Side effects

Possible

Few

Overdose risk

Greater than Suboxone

Lesser than Methadone due to the “ceiling effect

Risk of misuse

Yes, but lower than other opioids

Yes, but lower than other opioids

Effect on body

Full opioid agonist

Partial opioid agonist 

Safety

Yes, for long-term use

Yes, for long-term use

Outcomes

Can increase the likelihood of achieving treatment goals.

Can increase the likelihood of achieving treatment goals.

Opioid Addiction Treatment in Michigan  

Rushton Recovery understands the complex nature of drug & alcohol recovery. We prioritize your well-being, safety, and comfort during treatment. Our detox and residential treatment center in Michigan offers a healing space to embark on your journey toward sobriety. 

We offer evidence-based therapies designed to evolve with your individual needs and address the root of your substance abuse. Let our team help you get clean, repair relationships, and equip you with the skills to achieve long-term recovery. Reach out to our Admissions team now.

Sources

[1] University of Illinois. 2019. How Are Methadone and Suboxone Different?. Healthline.com

[2] DerSarkissian, C. 2024. What’s the Difference Between Methadone and Suboxone? WebMD.org.

[3] Villines, Z. 2022. Suboxone vs. methadone: What to know. MedicalNewsToday. Com

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