Buprenorphine | Importance of this Medication

Clinical research led to the development of buprenorphine, which is a medication used for the treatment of opiate addiction, like heroin. The success of buprenorphine is due to its long acting mu opiate agonist. It acts on the receptor but doesn't produce the same high people get with heroin or other opioid drugs, nor does it have dangerous side effects.

In 2002, buprenorphine was mixed with naloxone, an opioid antagonist used to counteract depression of the respiratory system, and Suboxone was created. And now, Suboxone is used as a medical maintenance therapy during detoxification and rehabilitation, which ultimately demonstrates a likelihood of decreasing the pain and fear possibly associated with an opioid withdrawal.