Sponsored
Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) is an FDA-approved medication prescribed to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). It is the first medication for opioid use disorder that can be prescribed in a physician’s office by a medical provider, significantly increasing access to treatment.1 Any practitioner with a valid DEA registration to prescribe Schedule III medications can prescribe buprenorphine for OUD where state law permits.
Who Can Prescribe Suboxone?
There are a variety of qualified medical professionals who can legally prescribe Suboxone, such as: 2,3
- Doctors of Medicine (MDs and DOs): Medical doctors are licensed physicians who have graduated from an accredited medical school.
- Nurse Practitioners (NPs): Nurse practitioners are board-certified advanced practice nurses who have graduated with either a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
- Physician Assistants (PAs): Physician assistants are master ’s-level clinicians who practice in collaboration with doctors of medicine.
- Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs): Clinical nurse specialists are registered nurses who have obtained their Master of Science in Nursing. CNSs differ from NPs in that they usually focus more on research, administration, or program development, whereas nurse practitioners focus more on direct patient care.
- Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs): Certified nurse-midwives are a type of advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who specialize in providing healthcare for women.
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs): Certified registered nurse anesthetists are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) with graduate-level education who can provide anesthetics to patients in a variety of settings.
Why Suboxone is Prescribed
Suboxone is prescribed for the treatment of opioid use disorder. It may be given to those with mild, moderate, or severe disease, including those with a history of relapse. Individuals are prescribed Suboxone, a partial opioid agonist, to reduce cravings and withdrawal and decrease the effects of other opioids such as heroin.4,5
Suboxone is usually taken regularly as ongoing treatment for OUD. Some people eventually choose to taper off the medication, while others continue treatment long term. If you choose to taper off, you will work with your doctor to taper gradually to avoid painful, uncomfortable, and sometimes severe withdrawal symptoms that can occur when detoxing from opioids.4
Some common opioid withdrawal symptoms include:6
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
- Agitation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal cramps
- Diarrhea
- Runny nose
- Sweating
- Yawning
- Muscle aches and pains
- Increased tearing
- Goosebumps
- Dilated pupils
Where to Find a Suboxone Doctor
If you think Suboxone may be the right treatment for you, a great first step is to ask your primary care provider. They might be able to prescribe Suboxone for you right in their office.
Online Suboxone Doctors and Clinics
Due to federal regulation changes during the COVID-19 pandemic, Suboxone doctors can now prescribe Suboxone to patients without an initial in-person evaluation. Before the pandemic, many people in rural areas may not have had access to treatment. Now, many clinics offer telehealth options for Suboxone treatment, and often people can receive same-day prescriptions.8
Online Suboxone doctors and clinics can eliminate many barriers to treatment including:8
- Appointment wait time
- Access to transportation
- Childcare
- History of experiencing discrimination or stigma in medical settings
One recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found no significant difference in patients receiving online Suboxone treatment versus those receiving services in person.9
Finding an Online Suboxone Doctor
If you are interested in online Suboxone treatment, you will undergo a similar process to find a doctor as you would if you were seeking in-person treatment.
You may start by contacting your primary care physician for referrals, or you may choose to search for online Suboxone doctors using a search engine.
Continuing Opioid Addiction Treatment
Suboxone can be combined with counseling, behavioral therapies and other recovery services based on the patient’s needs and preferences.
To prevent relapse, it is best to continue care even after weaning off Suboxone. Some treatment and rehab options that you may consider during or after completion of Suboxone treatment include:
- Inpatient rehab
- Outpatient rehab
- Individual psychotherapy
- Group counseling
- Family therapy
- 12-step programs
- Support groups
For more information on available treatment options, call
800-914-7089
(
Sponsored)
to get help today.
Resources
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2026, April 6). Buprenorphine.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2022, April 21). Become a Buprenorphine Waivered Practitioner.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2021, April 27). HHS Releases New Buprenorphine Practice Guidelines, Expanding Access to Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
- Kumar, R., Viswanath, O., Saadabadi, A. (2021, August 6). Buprenorphine. StatPearls.
- U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2022, January 12). Buprenorphine Sublingual and Buccal (opioid dependence)
- Berger, F. (2020 May 10). Opiate and Opioid Withdrawal. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Buprenorphine Practitioner Locator.
- Wang, L., Weiss, J., Ryan, E., Waldman, J., Rubin, S., & Griffith, J. (2021, January 15). Telemedicine increases access to buprenorphine initiation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 124, 108272.
- Barksy, B., Busch, A., Patel, S., Mehrotra, A., & Hushkamp, H. (2022, January 6). Use of Telemedicine for Buprenorphine Inductions in Patients with Commercial Insurance or Medicare Advantage. Journal of the American Medical Association, 5(1).
