Factors That Affect How Long Suboxone Stay in Your System

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Factors That Affect How Long Suboxone Stays in Your System

Many factors can affect how long suboxone stays in your system. However, it’s important to remember that many of these factors are only relevant to those taking them for pain management.

Frequency Of Suboxone Use

The frequency of your use can affect how long suboxone stays in your system. If you use suboxone more regularly, you may develop a tolerance. Tolerance means that your body will be used to the effects of suboxone, and you’ll need more to achieve the same effect.

Dosage

The dosage of suboxone that you take also affects how long it stays in your system. A higher dosage will mean more active ingredients are circulating within your body.

Liver Health

Your liver health can also affect how long suboxone stays in your system. This is because your liver metabolizes suboxone. So, the healthier your liver, the quicker your body will eliminate the suboxone.

Age

Your age can also affect how long suboxone stay in your system. As you get older, your metabolism slows down, so it takes longer for your body to eliminate medicine from your system.

Metabolism Speed

Metabolism speed can also affect the elimination of suboxone. The faster your metabolism, the quicker your body will process suboxone.

Weight

The weight of your body can affect how long does suboxone stay in your system. For example, if you’re overweight, it will take longer for suboxone to metabolize and for your body to eliminate the medicine.

Combining With Other Substances

Some medicines, such as testosterone, can speed up the metabolism of suboxone. This means that if you take a mixture of different medicines, it may take longer for your body to process them.

Will an opioid test detect Suboxone?

Unless it is a multi-panel test that specifically includes buprenorphine, an opioid test will not typically detect Suboxone. This includes most employer-run opioid tests.

Why would I need to take a Suboxone test?

Suboxone-specific tests are typically used to make sure a person is taking the drug as part of MAT treatment. Doctors use the tests to determine the proper dosage and to help them understand the potential for withdrawal symptoms.

What are the most common tests?

Suboxone is typically detected with a urine test, but saliva, blood, or hair follicle test may also be used. Here’s what you can expect from each test type:

Blood

Blood tests can detect buprenorphine for up to two days. Because of this short testing window and the invasive nature of blood tests, they are rarely used.

Saliva

Fast and accurate, saliva tests are common for testing recent use. These tests can detect Suboxone for up to three days after the last dose.

Urine

Urine tests are the most common type. Not only do they have a fairly long window (up to 14 days), but they can detect both Suboxone and its associated metabolites. As mentioned earlier, even if Suboxone has left your system, metabolites may be present up to two weeks after your last dose.

Hair

Hair testing can detect Suboxone for up to three months. However, hair tests aren’t generally considered as reliable as urine, so you will not see them as often, particularly for Suboxone. Many employers have started using hair follicle testing, but these tests will not typically include Suboxone as part of the panel.

Suboxone Side Effects

In addition to knowing how long Suboxone stays in your system, you might also be wondering how the drug affects you. Suboxone can produce side effects even when taken as prescribed. The most common side are digestive issues, such as diarrhea or nausea, and headaches.

However, more serious side effects can also occur. These less-common side effects require a doctor’s care:

Chills
Cough
Dizziness, lightheadedness
Fever
Flushing
Lower back or side pain
Sweating
Urination issues (difficulty urinating, painful urination)