What is Suboxone?

It is a fixed-dose combination drug. Two drugs are combined, called Buprenorphine/naloxone, and come under the brand name Suboxone. Suboxone is used to treat opioid-use disorders. This combination drug can reduce opioid disorder by 50%. Buprenorphine reduces opioid addiction. Naloxone is used to block the effect of the medication.

The results are feelings or cravings that can be blocked by this drug and can relieve the pain. Suboxone comes under the oral film that means keep it under the tongue or between gums or cheeks. Buprenorphine’s job is to deliver immensely diminishing doses of the drug which are addictive to the opioids.

• When a patient is highly addicted to drugs or heroin, or narcotics, Buprenorphine triggers the receptors when taken by the patient; however, Buprenorphine causes the receptors to start low rather than high. This medicine can help the patient to reduce the effect of the drugs.
• Naloxone is another drug that blocks receptors. These two drugs, when combined, help to reduce the effects of the drug on the patients.

Important Information

• The better way is to tell the doctor before getting treatment for drug addiction and initiating with Suboxone.
• Consult your doctor to check out the reaction in your body.
• This step is necessary to see how your body responds to certain drugs.
• Suboxone is avoidable by the pregnant lady as it can affect the baby and cause-specific side effects.

“For those who have breathing problems, it is advisable to stop taking Suboxone”

Misuse of this drug can cause fatal side effects.

What to know before taking Suboxone?

Suboxone is avoidable to patients who have

• Lung diseases- Suboxone is avoidable to those who have lung diseases as it can cause severe pulmonary disorder, asthma, and bronchitis.
• Liver diseases- People who have mild problems in the liver will cause many withdrawal symptoms, while those who have moderate-severe issues may not take this drug.
• Head injury- the patients who have a medical history of head injury can cause severe problems as this drug will increase the fluid in the brain and cause loss of consciousness.
• Take Multiple refills after the drug once; prevent taking these refills without the prescription of the doctor.
• Prevent changing the dosage without consulting the doctor. Patients should be aware that these drugs can affect mental and physical disabilities.
• These drugs can be very addictive, and avoid taking this medicine without a doctor’s supervision.

Patients should tell the doctor if any prescribed medications they use either herbal or medicines for severe diseases. Tell your doctor about any medical history that can include –

• Liver problems
• Kidney problems
• Antidepressants medicine if you are taking
• Breathing problem
• Addison’s problem
• Adrenal gland problem
• Pancreatic problem
• Alcohol addict or had a history of addiction
• Mental disorders like hallucinations
• Women who take Suboxone while pregnant, the baby can have withdrawal symptoms

Patients breastfeeding their child and are on Suboxone medications should take extra care of their baby as there can be various symptoms like drowsiness or difficulty in breathing.

How to take Suboxone?

Take Suboxone as a whole. Do not cut, break or make powder of Suboxone film. This medicine will cause serious health problems before taking Suboxone; moist your mouth as it will be easier for the patient to take it.

• The Suboxone film takes time to dissolve, so wait patiently rather than chewing as this will not work.
• Keep Suboxone film on either the left or right cheek. If the doctor advises two Suboxone films, keep one film on the inside of the right cheek and the other on the left cheek.
• If you are switching medicines that contain Buprenorphine, then follow all the instructions carefully.
• It is advisable to take Suboxone film once a day.
• Take Suboxone in two phases- the induction and maintenance phase.
• In the induction phase, when withdrawal symptoms are not that much in the body and patients are not showing any severe signs, then take a fewer dose of this medicine according to the doctor’s prescription.
• When withdrawal symptoms are clearly showing in the patient’s body in the maintenance phase, then take Suboxone once a day.
• Keep Suboxone under your cheek, and it takes time to dissolve. You cannot swallow or chew this drug; that is why you should not consume food. Take Suboxone after consumption of food or an empty stomach.
• If you are currently on another medication, all the doctors should know that you are taking Suboxone.
• Keep Suboxone at room temperature away from moisture and temperature.
• Due to Suboxone intake, it is advisable to have a regular medical check-up and observe how your liver functions.
• Keep Suboxone away from the children. Suboxone is not advisable for children as it will cause serious side effects to the baby
• Do not suddenly stop Suboxone, or it will give withdrawal symptoms that will be fatal for the body. Consult the doctor for any signs.

What to avoid while using Suboxone?

Do not drive or work in dangerous places as it can be very insecure. This opioid medication has common side effects of dizziness and drowsiness. Due to these side effects, these will cause serious injuries. Consumption of alcohol while you are on medications can be hazardous to your health.

Suboxone side effects

Suboxone can have severe to mild side effects that include

More common side effects

• Headache
• Depression
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Insomnia
• Back Pain
• Constipation
• Weakness
• Readiness in the mouth
• Some withdrawal symptoms

Some severe side effects include

• Some allergic reactions like rashes, hives, swelling in several parts that comprise the throat, tongue.
• Breathing problems and coma
• Hormone problems like nausea, vomiting, dizziness, low blood pressure
• Stomach pain
• Fatigue
• Some serious withdrawal symptoms