Buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) is a Schedule III drug, meaning it is a controlled substance that needs a special prescription from a licensed clinician.
Drug schedules are set by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) based on how useful the drug is and how much harm it can cause.[1] The lower the number, the greater the risk.
Opioid Classifications & Drug Schedules
The DEA classification schedule has five tiers, and opioids appear in almost all of them.[1]
Schedule I
These drugs have no accepted medical use, but they’re often used. Heroin, a potent opioid, is a Schedule I drug.
Schedule II
These drugs have high misuse potential, and some are considered dangerous. Prescription painkillers like Vicodin and OxyContin are Schedule II drugs.
Schedule III
These drugs have a low misuse potential, but they’re still considered potentially dangerous. Buprenorphine-based drugs (like Suboxone) are Schedule III drugs, as are products containing less than 90 milligrams of codeine.
Schedule IV
These drugs have a low misuse potential. Mild opioid painkillers like Darvocet are Schedule IV drugs.
Schedule V drugs
These drugs have a very low misuse potential and contain a small amount of narcotics. Some cough syrups containing the opioid codeine are Schedule V drugs.
How To Get Started On Suboxone
You’ve been living with an opioid use disorder (OUD), and you think Suboxone might be helpful in your recovery. What happens next? Since Suboxone is a controlled substance, you must follow two important steps.
1. Find an Approved Provider
Doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, clinical nurse specialists, and others can provide treatment with drugs like Suboxone. But they must go through special training first. In most states, this involves obtaining a waiver to prescribe Suboxone, although more recently some states are discontinuing this requirement. [2]
These days, a lot of primary care (family) doctors prescribe Suboxone. If your primary care doctor doesn’t prescribe Suboxone online, you’ll need to find one who does. Usually your primary care doctor can refer you to a provider that prescribes Suboxone. There are also tele-health providers who can prescribe suboxone online.
2. Find the Right Pharmacy
Some pharmacies stock plenty of Suboxone while others do not. Make sure that you call your pharmacy and ask if they stock Suboxone so that you can tell your doctor what pharmacy you would like your prescription sent to.
If you’re struggling to fill your prescriptions, talk with your provider. Sometimes, doctors can talk directly with pharmacists and help with any prescription issues.
Sources
- Drug Scheduling. United States Drug Enforcement Administration. https://www.dea.gov/drug-information/drug-scheduling. Accessed July 2022.
- Become a Buprenorphine Waivered Practitioner. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment/become-buprenorphine-waivered-practitioner. April 2022. Accessed July 2022.
Medically Reviewed By Elena Hill, MD, MPH
Elena Hill, MD; MPH received her MD and Masters of Public Health degrees at Tufts Medical School and completed her family medicine residency at Boston Medical Center. She is currently an attending physician at Bronxcare Health Systems in the Bronx, NY where ... Read More
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