How long does Subutex stay in your system?
Subutex is the brand name for a medication called buprenorphine, which is an opioid medication used to treat opioid addiction.
As of 2021, According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in the United States, an estimated 2.1 million people received treatment for opioid use disorder in 2019, and about 38% of them received medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with buprenorphine or methadone.
Anyone searching about how long Subutex stay in your system should know that the length of time that Subutex (buprenorphine) stays in a person’s system can vary depending on a number of factors, including the individual’s metabolism, the dosage taken, and how often the drug is used.
On average, Subutex can be detected in the blood for up to 24-48 hours, in the urine for up to 4 days, and in the hair for up to 90 days. However, it is important to note that these are just general estimates and the detection time can be longer or shorter in some cases.
Did you ask yourself why are you searching about how long does Subutex stay in your system? It can be due to an overdose that has made you dependent on Subutex. So let us start with knowing what exactly Subutex is and how it works.
What is Subutex and how it works?
According to the World Health Organization, as of 2019, buprenorphine (including Subutex) is one of the most widely used medications for opioid substitution therapy. Subutex can help to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms associated with opioid addiction without producing the same level of “high” as other opioids.
It is typically prescribed in combination with counseling and other forms of therapy as part of a larger treatment plan for opioid addiction. When taken as prescribed, buprenorphine can help to
- stabilize an individual’s brain chemistry
- reduce cravings for opioids
- and improve their overall physical and mental health
It is important to note that Subutex is a controlled substance and should be taken only as directed by a healthcare provider and that it can be habit-forming and should not be used in individuals who do not have an opioid addiction.
How Long Does the Effects of Subutex Stay?
Those who search about How long does Subutex stay in your system might be curious about Subutex side effects. The onset of effects typically occurs within 15-30 minutes after taking the medication, and the effects can last for several hours.
The medication’s effects on reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings for opioids can last for 24-48 hours, as the half-life of buprenorphine is around 24-48 hours. The medication’s euphoric effects, if any, are considered milder and shorter compared to full agonist opioids like heroin or fentanyl, and usually will last around 4 hours.
Important things to consider about Subutex use:
1- Subutex is a long-acting medication, which means it can accumulate in the body over time. This means that even if an individual stops taking the medication, it can still be present in the body for several days, and withdrawal symptoms may not appear for a few days.
2- It’s important to follow the prescription and not to increase or decrease the dosage without consulting a healthcare provider, and to be aware that Subutex can cause dependence and should not be discontinued abruptly, as this can cause withdrawal symptoms.
Subutex Half-Life:
Many people ask about the half-life of Subutex. That’s why addicted recovery is here to answer your questions. The half-life of a drug is the amount of time it takes for half of the drug to be eliminated from the body. Addiction specialists at Addicted Recovery believe those searching about How long does Subutex stay in your system should also know about the Subutex half-life. The half-life of Subutex (buprenorphine) is around 24-48 hours. This means that if you take a dose of Subutex, about half of it will still be present in your body 24-48 hours later. How to eliminate the other half of the dose from the body? We’ll discuss it later below.
Subutex Drug Test & Screening Detection Times
Subutex (buprenorphine) can be detected in various types of drug tests, such as urine, blood, and hair tests. The detection time for Subutex can vary depending on the type of test used and the individual’s metabolism, dosage taken, and frequency of use.
Half-life time passes but still search for How long does Subutex stay in your system? You need to know about Subutex detection tests in the body. These include:
- Urine drug test: This is the most common type of test used to detect Subutex. It is able to detect the presence of the drug in the urine for up to 3 days after use.
- Blood test: A blood test can detect Subutex in the bloodstream for up to 24 hours after use. However, it is less commonly used than a urine test.
- Hair test: A hair test can detect the presence of Subutex for up to 90 days after use. It is less common than urine or blood test.
- Saliva test: A saliva test can detect the presence of Subutex for up to 48 hours after use.
It’s important to note that these are just general estimates and the detection time can vary depending on the individual’s metabolism and other factors.
Also, some urine tests may not detect Buprenorphine, but instead detect its metabolite norbuprenorphine, which can be detected for up to 7 days after the last use.
It’s also worth noting that some drug tests may not be specifically designed to detect. 
Factors Influencing How Long Subutex Stays in Your System
The length of time that Subutex stays in a person’s system can vary depending on several factors, including:
- Metabolism: An individual’s metabolism plays a significant role in determining how quickly the body metabolizes and eliminates Subutex. People with a faster metabolism will typically clear the drug from their system more quickly than those with a slower metabolism.
- Dosage: The dosage of Subutex taken can also affect how long it stays in the system. Higher doses will typically take longer to be metabolized and eliminated than lower doses.
- Frequency of use: The more frequently Subutex is used, the longer it will take to clear from the body.
- Age: As the body’s ability to metabolize and eliminate drugs changes with age, older individuals may take longer to clear Subutex from their system than younger individuals.
- Overall health: The overall health of an individual, including liver and kidney function, can also affect how quickly Subutex is metabolized and eliminated from the body.
- Other substances: Using other substances, like alcohol or other medications, can also influence how long Subutex stays in the system.
It is important to note that these are general guidelines, and the detection times may vary from person to person.
How To Completly Remove Subutex From the Body?
Subutex is eliminated from the body through a process called metabolism, which is the chemical breakdown of a substance.
When a person takes Subutex, it is absorbed into the bloodstream and then metabolized by the liver. The majority of the drug is broken down into metabolites, which are then eliminated from the body through urine and feces.
The elimination half-life of Subutex is around 24 to 60 hours, which means that it takes this amount of time for half of the drug to be eliminated from the body.
It’s important to note that factors such as an individual’s metabolism, liver function, and overall health can affect how quickly Subutex is metabolized and eliminated from the body. Additionally, taking other substances, such as other medications or alcohol, can also affect the elimination of Subutex from the body.
Don’t want to get dependent on Subutex? Here is the solution:
While it can be an effective treatment for opioid addiction, it is a powerful opioid itself and can be habit-forming. Therefore, it’s important to be aware of the potential for dependence and to use the medication as directed by a healthcare professional.
Solution one: Avoid dependence is to using Subutex only as a short-term treatment, in combination with other forms of therapy such as counseling, behavioral therapy, and support groups. This can help to address the underlying causes of opioid addiction, rather than just treating the symptoms.
Solution two: It’s also important to have close monitoring and follow-up with your healthcare provider, as well as to be honest about any potential side effects or dependence issues. If you notice any signs of dependence such as cravings, withdrawal symptoms, or difficulty stopping taking the medication, you should tell your healthcare provider right away.
Solution three: Another solution is to consider other forms of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) such as methadone or naltrexone, which have different mechanisms of action and can be more appropriate
