How Does ZubSolv Work and What Is ZubSolv?
Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) are an important tool for those who are addicted to opioids.
Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) are an important tool for those who are addicted to opioids. This pharmaceutical component's efficacy has been demonstrated in numerous studies. To date, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three drugs to treat opioid use disorder (OUD): methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. One or more of these three drugs are included in all brand-name MOUD prescriptions. Bunavail, Belbuca, Subutex, Suboxone, Naltrexone (Vivitrol), Sublocade, and ZubSolv are some of the most well-known brand names. Each drug comes with its own set of qualities and adverse effects. This page is dedicated to the ZubSolv brand name.
What exactly is ZubSolv?
Buprenorphine/naloxone sublingual tablets are sold under the brand name ZubSolv. The term "sublingual tablet" refers to the way the medication is taken. Buccal film, sublingual film, sublingual tablet, injection, and implant are all examples of buprenorphine. Sublingual tablets containing buprenorphine and naloxone (ZubSolv) are inserted beneath the tongue and dissolve in the mouth. The effects of buprenorphine, when taken sublingually, extend between 24 to 42 hours. The effects of naloxone might last anywhere from 2 to 12 hours. Some opioid use disorder (MOUD) drugs, such as Subutex or Belbuca, are buprenorphine monotherapy. Buprenorphine monotherapy is a treatment that consists solely of buprenorphine. Buprenorphine/naloxone (ZubSolv) is a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone, unlike buprenorphine monotherapy. To truly comprehend how ZubSolv works, we must first comprehend how buprenorphine works, how naloxone works, and how the two interact when used together
How does ZubSolv function?
As previously stated, buprenorphine is one of three FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of opioid addiction. It comes in a variety of forms, including a buccal film, a sublingual film or tablet, an injection, or an implant. Buprenorphine is a partial agonist for opioids. In those with OUD, a partial opioid agonist can assist to lessen opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms. It accomplishes this by interacting with the same opioid receptors that full opioid agonists activate. Oxycodone, heroin, fentanyl, and methadone are examples of complete opioid agonists. Buprenorphine, unlike a complete agonist, does not fully activate opioid receptors. Because it only partially activates opioid receptors, buprenorphine has a "ceiling effect." As a result, getting "high" or experiencing euphoric effects with buprenorphine is practically difficult for persons with OUD. Buprenorphine is a maintenance drug that can be used as a short-term or long-term treatment for those who have OUD.
An opioid antagonist is naloxone. Full agonists activate opioid receptors, whereas opioid antagonists bind to those same receptors. Naloxone works by preventing full agonists from binding and thereby reversing an opioid overdose. When coupled with buprenorphine, naloxone makes it more difficult for people to abuse the drug. Because buprenorphine/naloxone (ZubSolv) contains the opioid antagonist naloxone, it's crucial to start taking it only after you've quit using a full opioid agonist. Only once objective and unambiguous signs of mild withdrawal are present can a person begin buprenorphine/naloxone treatment. If buprenorphine/naloxone (ZubSolv) is used before that time, it increases the risk of withdrawal. When an opioid antagonist rejects any active opioids on the receptors, precipitated withdrawal occurs, resulting in abrupt withdrawal symptoms.
Zubsolv Side Effects
In general, the adverse effects of Zubsolv are fairly similar to those of Suboxone.
According to the European Medicines Agency, around one out of every ten patients who use this drug is affected (EMA). The following are some of the possible side effects:
Dizziness/lightheadedness
Constipation
Headache
Nausea
Sweating
If you experience unpleasant, distracting, or difficult-to-manage side effects while using Zubsolv, talk to your doctor about adjusting your dose. Your doctor may also suggest lifestyle changes, dietary supplements, and over-the-counter pain relievers as ways to manage side effects.
Serious adverse effects are uncommon in those who take Zubsolv. The following are some examples:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Seizures
Damage to the liver or abnormal liver function
These uncommon side effects should be handled as soon as possible. Before starting Zubsolv treatment, see your doctor if you are at risk of any of these diseases.
What's the Best Way to Get Zubsolv?
Zubsolv, like Suboxone, is only available with a prescription from a doctor who has been properly trained to diagnose opioid use problems and administer buprenorphine maintenance drugs.
Your health insurance should cover Zubsolv once you've received a prescription. While some state-based health insurance programs, like as Medicaid, may favor Suboxone or generic buprenorphine/naloxone choices, Zubsolv is currently preferred by many individual health insurance companies.
The average cost of Zubsolv without insurance or copay savings programs is:
$157.18 for 30 Zubsolv 0.7 mg buprenorphine sublingual tablets
30 Zubsolv sublingual tablets, 2.9 mg buprenorphine, $305.06
The cost of 30 Zubsolv sublingual tablets containing 8.6 milligrams of buprenorphine is $452.84.
600.61 dollars for 30 Zubsolv sublingual pills containing 11.4 mg buprenorphine
Orexo, the maker of Zubsolv, provides new patients a free trial of up to 30 pills, or around one month's supply of daily medication, regardless of insurance coverage.This is in the form of two vouchers that can be combined to acquire a full month of Zubsolv for free. If you use Zubsolv every other day, you can use the vouchers to receive 15 sublingual tablets at a time if you take it every other day.
Orexo also has a copay card, so participants can get Zubsolv prescriptions for as little as $10. There is no minimum pill need, and there is no limit to how many times it can be used in a month.