Unlike other opoid drugs, Suboxone has a ceiling effect with important properties.
Suboxone is prescribed for the treatment of addiction to opiate drugs such as heroin, morphine and oxycodone. Although a powerful narcotic, Suboxone has a distinct limit to its effects--its "ceiling effect--which is essential to the drug's purpose.
Doses
The ceiling effect of Suboxone occurs at large doses of the drug. Doses beyond 16 to 32 mg of Suboxone are unlikely to produce additional effects beyond this "ceiling," according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Features
Suboxone contains naloxone, which blocks some of the brain's opoid receptors, contributing to the medication's . Naloxone also blocks other opiate drugs from working in the brain.
Significance
The National Drug Intelligence Center reports that Suboxone is less likely to be abused than methadone, another drug used for opiate addiction treatment. A potential abuser will find it difficult to get a high by taking large amounts of Suboxone.
Function
Safety is a key function of Suboxone's ceiling effect. A potentially dangerous side effect of Suboxone is respiratory depression, and the risk of this is reduced by keeping doses small.
Potential
Due largely to its ceiling effect, Suboxone is an excellent option for those serious about treatment for their opiate dependence. The NICD estimates that one-half to two-thirds of opiate abusers can benefit from Suboxone treatment.
Tags: ceiling effect, ceiling effect, ceiling effect Suboxone, effect Suboxone, opiate drugs