suboxone/subutex and testosterone

[mack86]

Opiates, including buprenorphine, suppress testosterone. Many patient's fatigue is due to low testosterone and you can really help them by replacing.

[James K Rotchford]

I****ume all opioids in particular long acting ones may have an effect on the HPA axis and try to get at least baseline testosterones within a year of starting buprenorphine.

[DrBranton]

My thoughts are that as with any opiate that is administered chronically, there will be a central reduction in LH and subsequently a reduced testicular production of testosterone. All chronically administered opiates will result in secondary hypogonadism.

DrB

[Bruni]

Apparently significantly less suppression of gonadal testosterone production than methadone (sample PubMed titles below).
-Bone mineral density and its determinants in men with opioid dependence.
-New clinical implications of opiate maintenance treatments.
-Hypogonadism and low testosterone levels as a side effect of methadone and buprenorphine.
-Endocrine consequences of opioid therapy.
-Hypogonadism in men receiving methadone and buprenorphine maintenance treatment.
-Erectile dysfunction in men receiving methadone and buprenorphine maintenance treatment.
-Single opioid administration modifies gonadal steroids in both the CNS and plasma of male rats.
-Plasma testosterone and sexual function in men receiving buprenorphine maintenance for opioid dependence.