Suboxone is a brand-name combination of buprenorphine (partial opioid agonist) and naloxone (opioid antagonist) used for medication-assisted treatment (MAT) of opioid use disorder. The naloxone component deters injection misuse.

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How to Pronounce Suboxone

soo-BOX-ohn

IPA: /suːˈbɒk.soʊn/

Generic: buprenorphine/naloxone

soo BOX ohn

How do you pronounce Suboxone?

Suboxone is pronounced “soo-BOX-ohn”. It has 3 syllables: soo – box – ohn. The stress falls on the second syllable, “box”.

How many syllables are in Suboxone?

Suboxone has 3 syllables: soo – box – ohn.

What does Suboxone mean?

Suboxone is a brand name for the combination of buprenorphine and naloxone in a 4:1 ratio. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist with a ceiling effect, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms while carrying a lower overdose risk than full agonists. Naloxone is added to deter injection misuse—when injected, the naloxone becomes active and precipitates withdrawal, but it is minimally absorbed sublingually. Suboxone is a first-line medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and can be prescribed in office-based settings.

Word Parts

Sub- from “sublingual” (under-tongue) route

-ox- naloxone component

-one ketone structural element

Common Mispronunciations

Occasionally said "SUB-ox-ohn" — stress lands on the second syllable: soo-BOX-ohn

Where You'll Encounter This

Addiction medicine, primary care, emergency medicine, substance use disorder treatment, MOUD programs