How Long Does Suboxone Block Opiates?

Often the question is asked - "How long does suboxone block opiates?"

Basically - The amount of suboxone in your body (dosage) and the time since your last dose are the two keys to finding out how long it will block opiates.

Quick Approximate Answer 
Maintenance Users - 6-9 Days it will block opiates
Low dose (2-4 mg) maintenance Users - 3-6 Days it will block opiates
Single time User - 2-4 Days it will block opiates

Buprenorphine seems to be a thoroughly misunderstood drug in may ways.  It is commonly either thought of as being just like any conventional Opioid/Opiate - or thought of as being absolutely nothing like an Opiate/Opioid.  Understandably there is confusion and misinformation about this drug, it has very unique and complex pharmacological traits.

This question of blocking opiates cannot be simply answered, but requires understanding the drug's mechanism of blocking other opiates as well as characteristics of buprenorphine in general.

Buprenorphine has super strong affinity to the receptors in your body that opiates activate when used.  The higher a drugs 's affinity for receptors, gives it an ability to take over a weaker bonded drug's spot on the receptor.  Buprenorphine has the highest affinity to these receptors.  Buprenorphine also has a uniquely long half-life, which means it stays around in the body longer.

Learn more about drug's interations with your body Pharmacokinetics 101 (LADME)

An Example Below








An individual has 16 mg of Buprenorphine in their body and they stop using it. The half-life is 36 hours for Buprenorphine (Approx), so after this time - half of the amount of drug has been eliminated from the body.
Here's a breakdown of time and amount of drug for this example
0    Days  (0:00) - 16 mg
1.5 Days  (36:00) - 8 mg
3    Days  (72:00) - 4 mg  
4.5 Days  (108:00) - 2 mg
6    Days  (144:00) - 1 mg
7.5 Days  (180:00) - 0.5 mg
9    Days  (216:00) - 0.25 mg

It is hard to say exactly when another opiate could be used for analgesic purposes and work effectively.  An amount below 1 mg of buprenorphine is likely a good spot.

In that case, this individual should be able to get analgesic relief from opiates after 6 days, for sure after 9 days.

Suboxone Blocks Opiates for approximately 6-9 Days,  if a dose has been maintained.