Suboxone is a medication used to treat opioid addiction or opioid use disorder (OUD). It contains a mixture of buprenorphine and naloxone.[1] While buprenorphine is a long-acting partial opioid, naloxone is an opioid antagonist.
The buprenorphine in Suboxone works to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings. The naloxone is there to prevent other opioids from being able to cause you to get high. It also makes it difficult to abuse Suboxone.
Some individuals who do not have a tolerance for opioids might abuse Suboxone. If you or a loved one misuses this substance, you might be wondering how long it stays in your system. Since the half-life is between 24 to 42 hours, it can stay in your body for up to eight days.[2]
You will learn:
- What is the half-life of Suboxone
- How long can drug tests detect Suboxone
- What factors play a role in how long Suboxone stays in your system
What is the Half-Life of Suboxone?
To understand how long Suboxone stays in your system, you need to know what a drug’s half-life is. The half-life of a substance explains how long it takes your body to eliminate half of the dose. It can take up to 4 to 5 half-lives for a drug to be completely removed from your system.
The half-life of Suboxone is between 24 to 42 hours.[2] It has a long elimination half-life. This means it can take up to 8 days for Suboxone to leave your system.
Your body metabolizes Suboxone in the liver and eliminates it from the body via urine. If you are abusing Suboxone, you could cause damage to your liver.
There are a variety of factors that come into play when discussing how long a drug stays in your body. For example, the dose you take can play a role. Someone who takes large doses of Suboxone at once might take longer to eliminate it when compared to a person taking small amounts.
How Long is Suboxone Detected in Drug Tests?
While Suboxone stays in your system for up to eight days, certain drug tests can detect it for a longer period. This is because it leaves behind metabolites in certain parts of your body. The amount of time that Suboxone is detectable depends on which type of drug test you are taking.
It is important to note that standard drug screenings do not test for Suboxone. Specialized drug panels have to be ordered to test for the substance, especially in the case of urine or saliva tests.
Urine
Urine tests are the most commonly used type of drug test. They are minimally invasive and relatively cheap, so they are often preferred over other types of drug screenings. Typically, these tests can detect Suboxone in urine for up to 14 days after your last dose.
Blood
Blood tests are not preferred for buprenorphine and Suboxone testing because they offer a short window of detection. A health professional might use them in a hospital setting to determine if Suboxone is contributing to your symptoms. Blood tests will only come back positive for Suboxone for 2 hours after your last dose.
Saliva
Saliva tests offer a short window of detection and are not commonly used. Most of the time, they are used by law enforcement to determine if you are driving under the influence. Because Suboxone is not a common drug of abuse, law enforcement officers usually will not be testing for it.
That said, saliva tests can detect Suboxone in your system for up to 12 hours after the last dose.
Hair
Hair tests are not preferred among medical professionals because they can lead to unreliable results. Oftentimes, hair tests discriminate based on hair color. Despite this, some high-security clearance jobs might use them before offering employment because of their long detection window.
Hair tests can detect any substance in your system for up to 90 days after you last consumed it.
Which Factors Affect How Long Suboxone Stays in Your System
Suboxone might be a part of your opioid addiction treatment plan. The effects of Suboxone include reduced cravings and lessened withdrawal symptoms. If you are wondering how long it will stay in your system, there are certain factors you should be aware of.
The factors that play a role in how long Suboxone remains in your body include:
- Weight and body fat percentage
- Biological sex
- Age and overall health
- The speed of your metabolism
- The dose and frequency at which you consume Suboxone
- Whether you have consumed other substances
- The health of your kidneys and liver
- Nutrition and hydration levels
It is important to note that there is no way to flush a drug out of your system quickly. Products like “detox drinks” that are intended to help you pass a drug test will not work. If you are trying to pass a drug test for Suboxone, the only way is to remain abstinent.
Find Help for Suboxone Abuse and Addiction
If you or a loved one suffers from Suboxone addiction, it’s time to seek professional help. The withdrawal symptoms associated with Suboxone dependency can be difficult to cope with, making medical detox important. Additionally, you’ll need a combination of evidence-based therapies and relapse prevention planning to maintain long-term sobriety.
Thankfully, the Best Treatment Center is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our Suboxone addiction treatment program.
References:
- Medline Plus: Buprenorphine Sublingual and Buccal (opioid dependence)
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Suboxone Label
