What you’ll learn
We’ll explain when Suboxone® might be used for the treatment of chronic pain and better alternatives for managing pain. You’ll also learn about the difference between treating acute pain versus chronic pain, and how QuickMD can support your journey to safe, effective treatment.
You’re living with chronic pain, but you also have a history with opioids. Maybe you’ve been in recovery for months or years. Maybe you’re still figuring things out. Either way, the thought of traditional pain medications brings up some complicated feelings.
You need pain relief, but you’ve worked hard to get where you are. You don’t want to jeopardize that progress. If you’re wondering whether Suboxone® could help with your pain, you’re asking a question thousands of people face every day.
We help people who are dealing with this exact situation all the time. Our licensed providers specialize in addiction medicine and have extensive experience with buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder. We’ve seen firsthand how challenging it can be to balance effective pain relief while maintaining recovery from opioids, and we’re here to provide the guidance you need.
Pain is a big deal. Studies confirm that unmanaged chronic pain is a big factor in opioid relapse, highlighting why finding the right approach to both conditions is so important. Finding safe, effective pain relief when you have a history of opioid dependence is challenging, but there are thoughtful approaches.
Let’s talk about what Suboxone® can and can’t do for pain, why getting it specifically for pain through telemedicine is complicated, and some newer options that might actually work out better for you.
What is Suboxone®? The basics
Suboxone® combines two medications: buprenorphine and naloxone. Most people know it as an addiction treatment medication, but understanding how it works helps explain why some people wonder about using it for pain.
Buprenorphine is what’s called a partial opioid agonist. It activates opioid receptors in your brain, but only partially. Unlike full opioid agonists like oxycodone or morphine, buprenorphine has a “ceiling effect.” That means after a certain dose, taking more of it doesn’t increase the effects.
This makes it much safer than traditional opioids. The risk of respiratory depression and opioid overdose is much lower.
The naloxone component is there to prevent misuse. If someone tries to inject Suboxone®, the naloxone blocks the euphoric effects and can trigger withdrawal symptoms in opioid dependent patients.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Suboxone® primarily to treat opioid addiction and opioid use disorder. But because buprenorphine affects mu opioid receptors (the same receptors involved in pain perception), it does have pain-relieving effects.
That’s why some chronic pain patients and doctors have looked into using it for treating chronic pain, especially in patients who’ve struggled with opioid dependence. Some doctors have prescribed it off-label for pain.
Can Suboxone® help with pain? Here’s what we know
Yes, Suboxone® can provide pain relief. But it’s not exactly straightforward.
The ceiling effect we mentioned makes buprenorphine safer, but it also limits how much it can help. It can provide meaningful relief for moderate ongoing pain, but it may not be enough for severe pain that needs stronger medication.
Who it helps depends on the situation. For people who haven’t used opioids before, buprenorphine can work well for pain management. But if you’ve been on strong prescription opioids, the ceiling effect might limit relief.
The best results are for people with both chronic pain and opioid addiction history. Some patients saw their pain scores improve by more than 2 points on a 1-10 scale.
The research matches what some patients experience in real life. One person with chronic nerve pain shared their experience after two months on Suboxone®:
I can honestly say that Suboxone® has given me a significant piece of my life back. The last two months, my average pain scale went from about a 5 (which it’s been for the past six years of my life) to about a 1.5 or 2.
In short, a lot depends on the specific type of pain you’re dealing with, how your body responds, and whether you’ve used other opioid medications before.
For opioid naïve patients (people who haven’t used prescription opioids before), buprenorphine can work quite well for pain management. But if you’ve been on Schedule II opioids or other high-potency opioid medications, the ceiling effect might limit how much Suboxone® can help.
The type of pain you’re dealing with makes a big difference in whether Suboxone® might be helpful.
Acute pain vs. chronic pain: when Suboxone® might make sense
Acute pain
Acute pain is short-term pain from injury, surgery, or illness.
Think post-surgical pain, dental procedures, injuries, or sudden medical conditions. This usually improves as healing happens, typically within days to weeks.
For acute pain, Suboxone® is rarely the first choice. The ceiling effect can limit how much it helps with severe pain, and the long duration of action isn’t usually needed for short-term relief.
There are some specific situations where a pain physician might consider buprenorphine for acute pain:
- You’re already on Suboxone® therapy and need surgery or injury treatment
- You have a history of opioid addiction, but require pain medication and want to avoid full opioid agonists
- Traditional pain medications have caused serious side effects or haven’t been well-tolerated
Chronic pain
Chronic pain sticks around for months or years. We’re talking about chronic noncancer pain, ongoing back pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia, or neuropathic pain. This is where Suboxone® shows more promise.
With chronic pain affecting about 28% to 30% of adults in the U.S., finding effective management options is crucial.
For chronic pain patients, especially those with a history of substance abuse or opioid misuse, Suboxone® offers some real advantages:
- Lower risk of developing new addiction patterns compared to traditional opioids
- Reduced risk of opioid overdose due to the ceiling effect
- Longer duration of action means fewer daily doses
- Potential to address both chronic pain and opioid use disorder at the same time
Buprenorphine treatment for chronic pain tends to work best for people who:
- Have moderate (rather than severe) chronic pain
- Have struggled with addiction to prescription opioids in the past
- Haven’t found adequate relief with non-opioid pain medications
- Need long-term pain management but want to minimize addiction risk
If you’re wondering whether we can help with Suboxone® for your situation, here’s what you need to know about current regulations.
What QuickMD can and cannot do
We cannot prescribe Suboxone® for pain-only conditions via telemedicine. Federal regulations are pretty specific about when and how providers can prescribe buprenorphine through telemedicine.
Right now, telemedicine providers can only prescribe Suboxone® for patients diagnosed with opioid use disorder. So if you’re looking for Suboxone® specifically for chronic pain management without a diagnosis of opioid addiction, you’ll need to work with a pain physician or specialist who can see you in person.
These regulations exist for good reasons, too. The Mental Health Services Administration and other regulatory bodies want to make sure:
- Patients get a thorough evaluation and appropriate monitoring
- Providers have proper training in addiction medicine
- Treatment plans address both addiction and any other conditions
- Patients have access to comprehensive support services
If you’re really only looking for pain treatment, working with a qualified pain physician who can evaluate your situation and explore all available options will give you the best shot at finding effective relief.
There is one important exception, though. Patients who have both opioid use disorder and chronic pain may be able to receive Suboxone® as part of treatment.
While Suboxone® has its place, there are some promising new developments in pain medicine that might be great options for many people.
Modern pain management that supports recovery
While Suboxone® has its place, there are some promising developments in pain medicine for people seeking effective relief while maintaining their recovery.
Journavx® (suzetrigine): a real breakthrough
Something encouraging happened in January 2025: the FDA approved Journavx® (suzetrigine), a non-addictive pain medication.
Unlike traditional opioids that affect multiple brain systems, Journavx® works only where pain signals begin. You get effective relief without any potential for developing addiction.
Clinical trials showed that Journavx® provides noticeable pain relief for moderate to severe acute pain, with effectiveness similar to opioids but without the adverse effects, euphoria, dependency concerns, or respiratory depression.
For people recovering from surgery, managing injuries, or dealing with acute pain episodes, Journavx® offers something that wasn’t available before: effective pain control without any addiction-related concerns.
Other than Journavx®, there are other standard pain management options available, which are probably more familiar to you.
Other acute pain options:
- NSAIDs and acetaminophen for mild to moderate pain
- Topical pain medications for localized discomfort
- Nerve blocks and other interventional procedures for specific conditions
Comprehensive chronic pain management
For chronic pain management, the most effective approaches often combine a few strategies:
- Non-opioid medications: Seizure medications that also help with nerve pain, certain depression medications that can reduce pain signals, muscle relaxers for tight, painful muscles, and creams or patches you apply directly to sore areas.
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation: One of the most proven treatments for chronic pain, helping improve function while reducing dependence on prescription medication.
- Interventional procedures: Targeted treatments from pain specialists, like steroid shots in your spine, injections that block pain signals from nerves, or procedures that use heat to stop pain signals from damaged nerves.
- Integrative approaches: Combining traditional medical treatments with other proven therapies like acupuncture, massage, or mindfulness techniques for the most comprehensive relief.
With all these different options available, having honest conversations with healthcare providers becomes even more important.
When to talk to your healthcare provider about pain management
When you’re considering any medication, open and honest communication with qualified healthcare providers is crucial.
Important questions to discuss:
- What type of pain am I experiencing, and what are my treatment options?
- Given my history, what’s the safest approach for me?
- Are there non-opioid alternatives that might work for my specific condition?
- If I need opioid therapy, how can we work together to minimize risks?
- What kind of monitoring and support would I need?
Be honest about:
- Any history of substance abuse or opioid dependence
- Previous experiences with pain medications
- Current mental health support
- Other medications you’re taking
- Your personal goals for pain treatment and recovery
Finding a provider who understands both managing pain and addiction medicine can make a real difference in your treatment experience.
At QuickMD, we specialize in this intersection. We see people dealing with both pain and addiction concerns every day.
How QuickMD can support you with opioid use disorder and pain
We understand how complex it gets when you’re managing both opioid addiction and pain, and we’re here to have those honest conversations about what might work best for your specific situation.
Here’s what we offer.
Evidence-based care that works
We provide Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD), combining FDA-approved medications like Suboxone® with counseling and behavioral therapies. Our licensed providers have helped thousands of patients reduce opioid cravings and manage withdrawal symptoms while supporting long-term recovery.
For patients dealing with both opioid use disorder and chronic pain conditions, we can prescribe Suboxone® as part of comprehensive addiction treatment. The medication may also provide helpful effects for pain symptoms.
Simple, accessible treatment
All appointments are $99, with your initial visit including one follow-up at no extra cost if completed within 14 days. We’re available 7 days a week with same-day appointments.
Your first appointment is the induction visit, where your provider prescribes a 7-day supply of Suboxone® to monitor your response and adjust dosage. After that, you’ll have monthly follow-up visits as part of your ongoing treatment plan.
For people dealing with both addiction and chronic pain, including severe withdrawal symptoms, we work with other providers to ensure you get comprehensive care that addresses all your health needs safely.
Frequently asked questions about Suboxone® and pain
Will pain medications work while I’m on Suboxone®?
This is tricky. Because Suboxone® contains buprenorphine, which partially blocks opioid receptors, pain medications like oxycodone or morphine may not work as well (or at all) while you’re on Suboxone®. The buprenorphine essentially “takes up room” on those receptors, preventing other opioids from binding effectively.
However, non-opioid pain medications like NSAIDs, nerve pain medications, and topical treatments will work normally. If you need surgery or have a medical emergency while on Suboxone®, tell your medical team immediately. They may need to use higher doses of pain medication or alternative pain management strategies.
How long does it take for Suboxone® to kick in?
Suboxone® typically starts working within 30-60 minutes when taken sublingually (dissolved under the tongue). You’ll usually feel the initial effects, like reduced cravings and opioid withdrawal relief, within the first hour. But it can take 1-3 days of consistent dosing to reach steady levels in your system for full effectiveness.
For pain relief specifically, the effects may be more gradual and can take several days to a week to fully develop as your body adjusts to the medication.
Can I get dental work done while on Suboxone®?
Yes, but inform your dentist or oral surgeon that you’re taking Suboxone® before any procedure. For routine cleanings and minor work, no changes are usually needed. For more extensive procedures requiring pain management, your dental team may need to coordinate with your QuickMD provider.