Powered By
OPIOID PARTIAL AGONIST/ANTAGONIST
Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat opioid dependence in adults.
Suboxone contains two medicines: buprenorphine and naloxone.
Buprenorphine partly activates a type of opioid receptor called the mu-opioid receptor. It also blocks another type called the kappa-opioid receptor. Naloxone blocks mu-opioid receptors.
Doctors prescribe Suboxone to treat opioid dependence. During ongoing treatment, the dose may be adjusted based on how the person responds and to help control opioid withdrawal signs and symptoms. Suboxone should be used as part of a complete treatment plan that includes counseling and psychosocial support.
Suboxone comes as a film that dissolves in the mouth. When treatment is first started in people who are dependent on short-acting opioids, the film is placed under the tongue. The first day’s dose may be divided into several doses. After the starting phase of treatment is complete, Suboxone is usually taken once a day under the tongue or inside the cheek.
Take the entire Suboxone film. Do not cut, tear, chew, or swallow it.
After the film has completely dissolved, take a sip of water. Gently swish the water around your teeth and gums, then swallow it. Wait at least one hour before brushing your teeth.
The dose of Suboxone depends on the stage of treatment and how the person responds.
Suboxone comes in four strengths:
After the starting phase of treatment, the maintenance dose is generally taken once a day. A healthcare provider may adjust the dose based on the person’s response to treatment.
If a person switches between Suboxone film strengths or between certain buprenorphine products, the healthcare provider may need to adjust the dose and monitor for signs that the dose is too high or too low.
Do not stop taking Suboxone suddenly. Long-term use can cause physical dependence, which means the body becomes used to the medicine. Physical dependence is not the same as addiction. A healthcare provider can gradually lower the dose to help reduce withdrawal symptoms.
This information is based on prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.
In clinical studies of Suboxone, the most common side effects were reported in about 8 percent to 36 percent of people. These include:
Suboxone can cause serious side effects that may require immediate medical attention. These include:
Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.
Indivior Inc, the manufacturer of Suboxone, offers the INSUPPORT Copay Assistance Program. Eligible people with private insurance may pay as little as $5 per month. People who do not use insurance may save up to or more than $170 per month.
The program also offers a phone line for questions and a downloadable copay card.
To learn more, visit the INSUPPORT Copay Assistance Program website, call 877-678-7493, or print the copay card here.
Before starting Suboxone, your doctor should check your liver function with blood tests.
Do not take Suboxone if you are allergic to buprenorphine or naloxone.
Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Do not take Suboxone with certain medicines.
Some medicines and substances can be dangerous when taken with Suboxone. These include other opioids, benzodiazepines, gabapentin, pregabalin, alcohol, and other medicines or drugs that slow down the central nervous system. Using them together can cause severe sleepiness, breathing problems, coma, or death. Tell your doctor about everything you take so these risks can be managed safely.
Do not drive, use heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how Suboxone affects you. It can make you sleepy, dizzy, or lightheaded and may slow your reaction time.
Do not drink alcohol or take medicines that contain alcohol while taking Suboxone. This can cause loss of consciousness or death.
If you miss a dose, take it when you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses at the same time unless your healthcare provider tells you to. If you are unsure what to do, call your healthcare provider.
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding while taking Suboxone, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits.
These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.
How effective is Suboxone for opioid dependence?
During ongoing treatment, the dose is adjusted based on how each person responds. The goal is to help the person stay in treatment and control opioid withdrawal signs and symptoms. Treatment may continue as long as the person is benefiting and Suboxone is helping meet the treatment goals.
The prescribing information also includes clinical safety studies. One open-label study included 194 people who took buprenorphine and naloxone film under the tongue and 188 who took it inside the cheek. The study was used to evaluate safety and side effects, not to measure an overall treatment success rate. Across clinical studies, safety information was available from more than 3,000 people with opioid dependence who received buprenorphine.
How long does Suboxone take to work for opioid dependence?
The studies do not give an exact amount of time for Suboxone to start controlling opioid withdrawal symptoms. For people who are dependent on heroin or other short-acting opioids, Suboxone treatment should start when clear signs of moderate opioid withdrawal appear. The first dose should be taken at least six hours after the person’s last opioid use.
On the first day, a healthcare provider may increase the dose about every two hours under supervision. The dose is adjusted based on how well it controls withdrawal symptoms.
Does Suboxone interact with other medicines?
Yes. Suboxone can interact with several medicines and substances.
The most important interactions include benzodiazepines, other opioids, alcohol, gabapentin, pregabalin, and other medicines that slow the central nervous system. Taking these with Suboxone can increase the risk of severe sleepiness, breathing problems, coma, and death.
Suboxone can also interact with:
Tell your healthcare provider about all prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements you take. Do not start, stop, or change medicines while taking Suboxone without talking with your healthcare provider.
On MyOpioidRecoveryTeam, people share their experiences with opioid recovery, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
Learn more about Suboxone and opioid recovery care:
More resources from MyOpioidRecoveryTeam that mention Suboxone
Become a member to get even more
Join
Your Privacy Choices
