How Long Does Subutex (Buprenorphine) Stay In Your System

What is Subutex?

Subutex, a drug approved by the FDA in 2002, is used for treating dependence on certain illicit opioids. It can be an addictive drug when not administered under the supervision of a medical practitioner and/or if misused, by way of injecting it directly into the bloodstream or crushing the Subutex pill and snorting it.

Subutex

How long after the last dose does Subutex show up on a drug test

To determine how long it takes Subutex to be completely eliminated from your system, we must consider the elimination half-life of its active ingredient buprenorphine, which ranges from 24 to 60 hours. Since most drugs, including buprenorphine, have about 5.5 half-lives, the drug will completely leave your system after 5-14 days.

It must be noted that the time it takes for Subutex to leave your system, depends on several factors like the individual’s age, build, fat percentage, frequency of dosage, hepatic condition, metabolic rate and urinary pH.

The withdrawal side-effects after you have stopped taking this drug can be rather severe; some of these include diarrhea, loss of appetite, anxiety, depression, vomiting, increased sensation to pain, etc.

How to get Subutex out of your system

Staying hydrated: Drinking plenty of healthy fluids can help you excrete Subutex quicker, as it is eliminated through urine.

Eat acidic foods:  Foods like cashew nuts, walnuts, cranberry, blueberry and condiments like mayonnaise and vinegar are all high in acidic content, this helps in increasing the acidic content in your urine, thereby expediting the elimination process for buprenorphine.

Increasing the Subutex metabolizing enzymes: Consuming any substance that induces and increases the enzymes in the liver that help to metabolize Subutex can speed up the excretion process.