From the Guidelines
Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) is not recommended for managing the effects of 7 tablets of kratom. Suboxone is a prescription medication primarily used for opioid use disorder, while kratom is an herbal substance with opioid-like effects. Using Suboxone for kratom withdrawal or effects would be inappropriate self-medication and potentially dangerous. If experiencing problems with kratom use, it's better to gradually taper the kratom dose under medical supervision. For acute kratom withdrawal symptoms, healthcare providers might recommend over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen for pain, loperamide for diarrhea, and antihistamines for sleep difficulties. The reason Suboxone isn't appropriate is that it's a powerful partial opioid agonist with its own dependency potential and should only be used under proper medical supervision for its approved indications, as noted in studies such as 1. Additionally, the interaction between Suboxone and kratom is not well-studied and could potentially cause adverse effects, highlighting the need for caution and medical supervision in managing kratom use, as suggested by the principles outlined in 1 for managing opioid use disorder and chronic pain.
Some key points to consider:
- Suboxone is primarily used for opioid use disorder, not for managing herbal substances like kratom.
- Kratom has opioid-like effects, but its interaction with Suboxone is not well-studied.
- Gradually tapering kratom dose under medical supervision is a safer approach for managing kratom use.
- Over-the-counter medications can be used to manage acute kratom withdrawal symptoms.
- Suboxone should only be used under proper medical supervision for its approved indications due to its potential for dependency and adverse effects, as emphasized in guidelines for opioid use disorder treatment 1.
Given the potential risks and lack of evidence supporting the use of Suboxone for kratom effects, consulting a healthcare provider is crucial for developing an appropriate treatment plan tailored to the individual's specific situation, ensuring safe and effective management of kratom use and any related health issues.
From the Research
Kratom Dependence and Suboxone Treatment
- Kratom is a substance that produces opioid-like effects when ingested, and its use has been associated with dependence, addiction, and adverse events 2.
- Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) has been used to treat kratom dependence, with studies suggesting it can be an effective treatment option 3, 4.
- A case series study found that patients with kratom dependence can be effectively treated with buprenorphine/naloxone, with maintenance dosing similar to that used in opioid use disorder 3.
- Another study found that long-term buprenorphine treatment can be effective for kratom use disorder, with 68% of patients having negative test results for mitragynine at 4 weeks of treatment 4.
Treatment Options for Kratom Dependence
- Sublingual buprenorphine-naloxone (Suboxone) is reported as a promising treatment for detoxification and maintenance replacement therapy for kratom-dependent users 5.
- Alternative treatments for in-patient detoxification include intravenous clonidine and a combination of oral dihydrocodeine and lofexidine 6, 5.
- The use of urine drug screens may be beneficial for monitoring kratom alkaloids concentrations during treatment 3.
Effects of Kratom and Suboxone Interaction
- Kratom's active alkaloids, such as mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, act as partial mu-opioid receptor agonists and can produce opioid-like effects 2.
- The interaction between kratom and Suboxone is not fully understood, but studies suggest that Suboxone can help manage the effects of kratom use 3, 4.
- However, more research is needed to fully understand the effects of kratom and Suboxone interaction, particularly in regards to the treatment of kratom dependence 3, 2, 5.