How does online Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) care work?

Workit Health’s easy-to-use app brings the expertise of medication-assisted treatment right to your smartphone, tablet, or computer.

First, download our app to make an appointment. Just like with an in-person doctor visit, you will need to give us some information about yourself, including uploading a photo of your ID. You will meet with your licensed Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) clinician via a private, in-app video appointment. Your clinician will discuss your medical history and substance use so that they can provide you with the treatment that fits you best. Your medication will be e-prescribed to your local pharmacy. Follow-up appointments will be shared with other Workit Health members as well as your provider and a member of the behavioral health team.

Medication-assisted treatment works best in conjunction with behavioral health support, like group therapy. Shared Follow-up Appointments and recovery group meetings also take place in the app. Our online therapeutic curriculum will also provide you with insights and tools to help you move forward and create healthier habits. You’ll be able to message your care team directly through the app.

Is being prescribed Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) online legal?

Yes, this is 100% legal and legit. All of our clinicians are licensed and trained through the DEA to prescribe buprenorphine/naloxone (brand name Suboxone) and have the necessary waivers and certifications. Whether to prescribe Suboxone is a decision your clinician will make after a thorough clinical evaluation of your medical history and substance use.

In accordance with regulations and safe prescribing guidelines, you will be required to take regular drug tests. We’ll mail the tests to you, and you will complete them using the app. Drug testing is important for clinicians to provide the treatment you need, and is never used to shame or judge you.

What are the risks and concerns about Suboxone?

Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) is indicated for the treatment of opioid dependence in adults. Suboxone should not be taken by individuals who have been shown to be hypersensitive to buprenorphine or naloxone as serious adverse reactions, including anaphylactic shock, have been reported. Taking Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) with other opioid medicines, benzodiazepines, alcohol, or other central nervous system depressants can cause breathing problems that can lead to coma and death. Other side effects may include headaches, nausea, vomiting, constipation, insomnia, pain, increased sweating, sleepiness, dizziness, coordination problems, physical dependence or abuse, and liver problems. For more information about Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) see Suboxone.com, the full Prescribing Information, and Medication Guide, or talk to your healthcare provider. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Are online Suboxone doctors available in my state?

Currently, our Suboxone clinic and other medication-assisted treatment options are available in select states only

Can any online doctor prescribe Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone)?

Probably not. Buprenorphine is a controlled substance. Clinicians need to be a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)-registered practitioner and have completed a one-time, eight-hour training to prescribe it. General telemedicine practitioners like your regular doctor may not be willing or able to prescribe this type of medication. At Workit Health, we specialize in evidence-based addiction care like FDA-approved medication to manage withdrawal and cravings, so all of our doctors have taken the required training.

How does Suboxone work?

Buprenorphine, the primary medication in Suboxone, is one of three medications FDA-approved to treat opioid use disorder. It is called a partial agonist opioid which means it works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, which causes limited pleasurable effects to stop withdrawal symptoms. However, for most people, it does not provide the “high” associated with opioids like heroin. Suboxone also contains naloxone (known by the brand name Narcan), which is an opioid antagonist meaning it blocks opioid receptors, preventing misuse.

Do I have to stop using opioids to take Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone)?

Yes. According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, you should be prepared before inducting on any medication-assisted treatment containing buprenorphine. This means stopping using opioids for a specified amount of time before you take Suboxone in order to prevent unpleasant side effects. That time period depends on what kind of opioid you have been taking. Your clinician will guide you in this process, so don’t be concerned about figuring it out for yourself. Generally speaking, short-acting opioids like Percocet, heroin, and Vicodin should be ceased 12-24 hours before your first dose of buprenorphine. Longer-acting opioids, like morphine, methadone, and Oxycontin are generally discontinued 36-48 hours before your first dose of Suboxone.

Talk to your provider before you quit taking opioids so that they can advise you on the appropriate time frame based on your personal medical history.