Use in opioid maintenance therapy programs, doesn't have QT prolongation and less respiratory depression than methandone
Patients must been maintained on <40mg of methadone for successful conversion to buprenorphine to take place
Primary caregivers can prescribe after taking a course
Partial agonist can actual precipitate withdrawal if patient takes a full opioid (say sneaking a little heroin before appointment)
Suboxone is buprenorphine+naloxone, since naloxone has poor bioavailability when taken appropriately there is no effect but if the tablet is crushed and injected the patient will go into florid withdrawal.
Use and abuse has been steadily increasing and death can still occur from overdose.
Pain is difficult to manage in patient on buprenorphine since opioid effect will be blunted, buprenorphine is potent partial agonist.
