Yes, Zubsolv is an effective medication for opioid use disorder (mOUD), especially when combined with additional treatment methods as part of a comprehensive treatment program.
There are three main medications FDA-approved for the treatment of OUD:[1]
- Buprenorphine
- Methadone
- Naltrexone
There are several variations of each of these. Zubsolv is a combination medication containing both buprenorphine and naloxone that is successful in treating OUD.
What Is Zubsolv?
Zubsolv is a sublingual tablet that is placed under the tongue to dissolve. It is a prescription medication that is used to treat OUD.[2]
Zubsolv contains both the partial opioid agonist buprenorphine and the opioid antagonist naloxone in a 4:1 ratio. Buprenorphine is the active ingredient that stimulates the opioid receptors to a limited degree, helping to keep the brain balanced but without creating the high that full agonist opioids like heroin do.
The naloxone component of Zubsolv remains dormant unless the drug is altered and misused by injection. If the drug is misused, naloxone is activated and creates opioid withdrawal. As a result, naloxone acts to deter misuse of Zubsolv.
Zubsolv is used as a mOUDas part of a complete opioid dependence and addiction treatment program. Zubsolv is most effective when used in combination with behavioral therapies, psychosocial support, and other supportive measures. The medication must be prescribed and administered through a certified health care provider.
Effectiveness of Zubsolv
mOUDis clinically proven to be an effective treatment method that helps to keep people in addiction treatment programs and reduce rates of relapse.[3] Studies show that Zubsolv is an effective treatment method that can help to promote treatment compliance in both the short and long term.[4]
Here is a comparison table of different mOUD forms: [5]
Zubsolv is considered a safer alternative to methadone, and it has fewer side effects. The added component of naloxone with buprenorphine makes it less likely to be misused than buprenorphine on its own. Methadone also requires a daily visit to a clinic to get one’s dose, so Zubsolv is easier to access since it’s available with a take-home prescription.
Zubsolv is similar to Suboxone in effectiveness and safety. Some people who try Zubsolv prefer it to the Suboxone film in terms of taste, the way it feels on the tongue, and ease of use. Suboxone is still considered the gold standard in terms of medications for opioid use disorder.
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