Buprenorphine/naloxone, which is prescribed for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD), comes in many different forms, the most popular of which is Suboxone films that dissolve in your mouth. But depending on which form and which brand you pick up from the pharmacy, your out-of-pocket costs can be quite different. Let’s look at the cost of Suboxone, both brand name and generic.
What is the cost of Suboxone?
Like most medications, brand-name buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) is more expensive than the non-branded (generic) alternative. For one film with 8 mg of buprenorphine (and 2 mg of naloxone), the retail price is roughly $9.50 for brand-name Suboxone and about $2.50 for the generic version.
Based on info from GoodRx, prices for the films and tablets vary widely by pharmacy, but if you are paying out of pocket and you shop around, you can usually find tablets for a lower price than films. Keep in mind that tablets come in 2-mg and 4-mg (of buprenorphine) versions while films come in 2-, 4-, 8-, and 12-mg versions.
Fortunately, most insurance providers, including Medicaid in most states, cover the cost of buprenorphine/naloxone when used to treat opioid use disorder. To compare prices at pharmacies in your area, visit the GoodRx Suboxone Film page and Generic Suboxone Film page.
Is name brand Suboxone more effective than the generic version?
Both Suboxone films and generic buprenorphine/naloxone films contain the same medicine.
While the look and taste might differ, the effects of the active ingredients are similar. However, you can find personal accounts and case reports of patients switching from brand-name Suboxone to generic buprenorphine/naloxone and experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Some of these patients found relief from withdrawal symptoms when their dose was increased. The majority of OUD patients, though, find little difference between branded and generic.
Where can I get a prescription for Suboxone?
QuickMD can provide counseling for opioid use disorder and send a prescription for Suboxone or generic buprenorphine/naloxone to the pharmacy of your choice. We can also send a prescription for Zubsolv (a third, equally effective form of buprenorphine/naloxone) if your insurance requires it. Contact QuickMD today to get online treatment for OUD in the comfort of your home.
