Suboxone is a common medication prescribed for opioid use disorder treatment. Opioid use disorder is marked by the regular use of opioids (pain-relieving medicines) that can lead to addiction or misuse of the drug. Approximately, 2.5 million of the U.S. population struggles with opioid addiction. With the increased concern about opioid addiction and misuse, Suboxone is recommended as an effective treatment option. So, if you're on Suboxone for opioid addiction and are about to undergo drug tests at work, you need to understand that the effects of this medication might last for only 24 hours. However, it can be detectable for a much longer period. Wondering, "How long does Suboxone stay in your system"? Well, it all depends on a wide range of factors. So, read the article to learn the detectable window of Suboxone in your system, what factors determine its stay, and more!

How Long Does Suboxone Stay in Your System?

The primary active ingredient in suboxone, called buprenorphine, has a half-life of 24-42 hours, which means it takes this long for half the drug to be eliminated from your system. The naloxone component has a shorter half-life of 2-12 hours.

Here's a clear breakdown of how long Suboxone stays in your system:

Urine Test: Detectable for 2-4 days after last use

Blood Test: Detectable for up to 2 days

Saliva Test: Detectable for 1-3 days

Hair Follicle Test: Can detect Suboxone for up to 90 days

Important note: These are general guidelines. Individual detection times can vary, based on different factors like Dosage amount and frequency of use among others. Professional medical testing can provide the most accurate assessment.

Factors Influencing The Detection Time of Suboxone in Your System

The following are the factors that affect the detection time of Suboxone stay in your system:

Dosage amount

Frequency of use

Individual Metabolism

Body weight

History of drug misuse

Other medications

Liver and kidney function

People living with liver disorders have a very slow capability to metabolize Suboxone, which, in turn, can increase its stay in the system.

Does Suboxone Show Up On a Drug Test?

Suboxone consists of an opioid called buprenorphine. As buprenorphine is chemically different from other morphine-containing opioids, it won't be detectable on a regular UA drug test the way other opioids get. UA tests, also called “Routine urinalysis” can detect the presence of opioids through the presence of morphine. Most opioids such as heroin break down into morphine on absorption and hence are detectable on the urine screening tests. However, to detect Suboxone that doesn't metabolize into morphine, special tests are required to find out their presence in your system.

Summing Up

We learn that Suboxone is a commonly prescribed medication used to treat individuals struggling with opioid addiction. If you're wondering how long does Suboxone stay in your system, it can typically be detectable for about 8 days, depending on factors like metabolism, age, and frequency of use. Some tests, however, can detect its presence for a much longer period. Like other opioids, this drug is also addictive, and quitting without consulting doctors can result in withdrawal symptoms. Therefore, it is always recommended to seek professional help if you experience any related symptoms.

Related Read: How Long Hydrocodone Stays in Urine