This depends on your body’s response to the treatment. Suboxone is usually taken long term to treat opioid use disorder. It’s prescribed together with behavioral therapy that includes social support and counseling. Suboxone works by tightly binding to the same receptors in the brain as other opiates, such as heroin, morphine, and oxycodone.

  1. With time, as you make progress in your treatment, these precautions may no longer be necessary.
  2. If your doctor recommends Suboxone for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
  3. Weight gain or weight loss are not side effects that have been reported in clinical trials of Suboxone.
  4. If you develop serious side effects while taking Suboxone, call your doctor right away.

Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat dependence on opioid drugs. This includes treating opioid use disorder (formerly called opioid addiction). The medication can help reduce withdrawal symptoms when you stop using an opioid and for a long time after.

Side Effects of Suboxone Tablets

Buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) is best absorbed under the tongue or sometimes inside the cheek because it is more “bioavailable” this way. This means that more of the medication can enter the system by dissolving through the skin of the mouth than it can by being digested in our very acidic stomachs. The government has created special rules for how schedule III drugs can be prescribed by a doctor and dispensed by a pharmacist. To find out more, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to take Suboxone

Make sure your family members know how to provide this information in case they need to speak for you during an emergency. Do not stop using Suboxone suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine. Suboxone sublingual tablets should be placed under the tongue until they dissolve. Before taking a Suboxone sublingual film, drink water to moisten your mouth.

For maintenance, SUBOXONE sublingual film may be administered buccally or sublingually. This includes both the induction phase and the maintenance phases of treatment. Both Suboxone and how psychedelic drugs can be used for mental health the new york times Bunavail are FDA-approved to treat opioid dependence. Both Suboxone and Zubsolv are FDA-approved to treat opioid dependence, including the induction and maintenance phases of treatment.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care. Buprenorphine and naloxone is available as a sublingual film (Suboxone), a buccal film (Bunavail), and a sublingual tablet (Zobsolv). You should follow the specific directions your prescriber  gives you regarding the frequency of dosing as well as the treatment duration of buprenorphine and naloxone.

What to do in case you take too much Suboxone

Short-acting opioids include heroin, codeine, morphine, and oxycodone (Oxycontin, Roxicodone). Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or timeline for methamphetamine detox treatment. Data sources include Micromedex (updated 3 Mar 2024), Cerner Multum™ (updated 17 Mar 2024), ASHP (updated 20 Mar 2024) and others. Other drugs may interact with buprenorphine and naloxone, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Additional doses may be given to treat withdrawal symptoms.

What are the more common side effects of Suboxone?

Tell your doctor if you have any lung conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma. Since Suboxone can cause breathing difficulties, having a serious lung condition could increase your risk of breathing problems with this medication. During your Suboxone treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. This is especially helpful when you first start taking a new drug or using a combination of treatments. Insomnia is usually a temporary side effect that goes away with continued Suboxone treatment.