Buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) in both the films/strips and tablets/pills formulations are equally effective in treating opioid cravings and withdrawal and preventing overdose and deaths.[4]
The choice between pills and strips is personal. Some prefer the taste of strips over pills. Some prefer the experience of pills over the strips. And some must use the form of medication their insurance companies cover.
Usually, your insurance company determines which formulation of Suboxone they will cover and hence which formulation you will be prescribed.
Strips and tablets are considered interchangeable, so insurance companies might switch back and forth depending on availability and cost.[2],[5]
Suboxone strips or films tend to be more expensive than tablets.[2] For example, GoodRx says the lowest price available for generic films is roughly $40 for 14 strips while the lowest price for 14 tablets is $25.[7]
If you request a brand-name medication, expect to pay more than you will for a generic form. And you might pay more if you take higher doses, as you’ll need more of your medication every month.
Due to individual factors and influences, everyone’s experience and preference of which Suboxone type to take will vary. However, below is a table comparing the results from a study conducted by Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals, a manufacturer of Suboxone, and another conducted by Veterans Affairs (VA): [5],[6]
FilmsTabletsDissolve time5-7 minutes7-12 minutesTasteStronger preferenceWeaker preferencePatient preferenceStronger preferenceWeaker preferenceDosageEquivalentEquivalentAbsorptionMore efficient absorptionLess efficient absorptionBioavailability2 times greater50% of the film’s
In head-to-head studies of Suboxone tablets and films, researchers found no differences in clinical efficacy or treatment outcomes. People using both tools had similar experiences in recovery, and there were no differences in side effects or blood plasma levels. The medications seem to be interchangeable in terms of results.[8]
Older versions of Suboxone tablets were slow to dissolve, and they could leave a sticky and chalky residue behind. That slow dissolving rate also meant that the drug didn’t enter a person’s system as quickly as the films. Newer versions of tablets have solved that problem, researchers say, making the two types of products even more similar.[8]
These products work by dissolving inside your mouth. Medications move from your mucosal membrane into your bloodstream, delivering active ingredients to receptors in your brain and body. The only difference between the two products is the way the medication is packaged and used. They have the same mechanism of action, and both are effective in helping you overcome OUD.
Whether you take pills or strips, it’s critical to follow instructions. Your doctor should tell you exactly how to use your medication. But a few basic rules apply.
The films/strips dissolve faster than the tablets/pills, though both should be kept under the tongue for at least 5 minutes.
Patients will often say they prefer the taste of one over the other, but this preference is often very individualized. If you don’t like the strips, pills may be a better choice.
Whether you receive treatment with buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) films/strips or tablets/films, both are considered evidence-based, scientifically proven first-line Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT) for patients struggling with opioid use disorder.
Peter Manza, PhD received his BA in Psychology and Biology from the University of Rochester and his PhD in Integrative Neuroscience at Stony Brook University. He is currently working as a research scientist in Washington, DC. His research focuses on the role of the brain dopamine system in substance use disorders and in aging. He also studies brain function in obesity and eating disorders.
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