Subutex is a medication primarily used in the treatment of opioid dependence. Its active ingredient is buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist, which means it activates opioid receptors in the brain but to a lesser extent compared to full agonists like heroin or methadone. This unique property allows Subutex to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and cravings in individuals addicted to opioids without producing the intense euphoria associated with opioid abuse, thereby reducing the potential for misuse.