No, it is an opioid. Buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) is a chemically, or synthetically, made partial opioid agonist. Opioids differ from opiates, which are “natural,” meaning nature creates the active ingredients. Examples of opiates include opium, morphine, and codeine.
Dr. Rollston is a Family Medicine Physician at Cambridge Health Alliance, Affiliate Editor-in-Chief of the Harvard Primary Care Blog, and Founder of Doctors For A Healthy US, LLC. She earned her Medical Degree from East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine and her Master of Public Health from The George Washington University. Her professional interests focus on social influencers of health & health disparities, addiction medicine, sexual & reproductive health, homelessness & supportive housing, and rural health.
