What is Suboxone?

Suboxone contains a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is an opioid medication, sometimes called a narcotic. Naloxone blocks the effects of opioid medication, including pain relief or feelings of well-being that can lead to opioid abuse.Suboxone is used to treat narcotic (opiate) addiction.Suboxone is not for use as a pain medication.

Important information

Suboxone can slow or stop your breathing, and may be habit-forming even at regular doses. MISUSE OF THIS MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription.

Taking Suboxone during pregnancy may cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the newborn.Fatal side effects can occur if you use Suboxone with alcohol, or with other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing.

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Before taking this medicine

You should not use Suboxone if you are allergic to buprenorphine or naloxone (Narcan).Some medicines can interact with buprenorphine and naloxone and cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. Be sure your doctor knows if you also take medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson’s disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. Ask your doctor before making any changes in how or when you take your medications.

To make sure Suboxone is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

any type of breathing problem or lung disease;
enlarged prostate, urination problems;
liver or kidney disease;
abnormal curvature of the spine that affects breathing;

problems with your gallbladder, adrenal gland, or thyroid;
a history of drug abuse, alcohol addiction, or mental illness; or
a history of head injury, brain tumor, or seizures.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. If you use Suboxone while you are pregnant, your baby could become dependent on the drug. This can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby after it is born. Babies born dependent on habit-forming medicine may need medical treatment for several weeks. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.Buprenorphine and naloxone can pass into breast milk and may cause drowsiness or breathing problems in the nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

How should I take Suboxone?

Use Suboxone exactly as directed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. This medicine can slow or stop your breathing. Never use Suboxone in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed.This medicine may be habit-forming. Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction.MISUSE OF NARCOTIC MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription.Selling or giving away Suboxone is against the law.

Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.Use dry hands when handling a Suboxone sublingual tablet or film. Drink a glass of water to moisten your mouth. Place the sublingual tablet or sublingual film under the tongue and allow it to dissolve. Place the buccal film in your mouth against the inside of your cheek and allow it to dissolve. Do not chew or cut a tablet or film, and do not swallow it whole.

If you switch between medicines containing buprenorphine, you may not use the same dose for each one. Follow all directions carefully.

Do not stop using Suboxone suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine.You will need frequent blood tests to check your liver function.

Wear a medical alert tag or carry an ID card stating that you take this medicine. Any medical care provider who treats you should know that you are being treated for narcotic addiction. Make sure your family members know you are using this medicine in case they need to speak for you during an emergency.

Never crush or break a Suboxone tablet to inhale the powder or mix it into a liquid to inject the drug into your vein. This practice has resulted in death.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep this medicine in the foil pouch until ready to use. Discard the empty pouch in a place children and pets cannot get to.

Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. Buprenorphine is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.

Do not keep leftover Suboxone tablets ot films. Ask your pharmacist where to locate a drug take-back disposal program. If there is no take-back program, flush any unused pills down the toilet.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. A Suboxone overdose can be fatal, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription.

Overdose symptoms may include severe drowsiness, fainting, and slow breathing (breathing may stop).

What should I avoid while taking Suboxone?

Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death could occur.

Suboxone may impair your thinking or reactions. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how the medicine will affect you. Dizziness or severe drowsiness can cause falls or other accidents.

Suboxone side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Suboxone: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Like other narcotic medicines, Suboxone can slow your breathing. Death may occur if breathing becomes too weak.

Call your doctor at once or seek emergency medical attention if you have:

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
weak or shallow breathing;
confusion, loss of coordination, extreme weakness;
blurred vision, slurred speech;

adrenal gland problems – nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, feeling weak or tired;
liver problems – nausea, upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
withdrawal symptoms – diarrhea, vomiting, shaking or shivering, runny nose, watery eyes, muscle pain, and feeling very hot or cold.

This medicine is more likely to cause breathing problems in older adults and people who are severely ill, malnourished, or otherwise debilitated.

Common Suboxone side effects may include:

dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision, feeling drunk;
tongue pain, redness or numbness inside your mouth;
constipation, mild nausea, vomiting;
headache, back pain;

sleep problems (insomnia);
increased sweating; or
fast or pounding heartbeats.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Suboxone?

Taking Suboxone with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous side effects or death. Ask your doctor before taking a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, prescription cough medicine, a sedative, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

a sedative like Valium (diazepam, alprazolam, lorazepam, Ativan, Klonopin, Restoril, Tranxene, Versed, Xanax, and others).This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with buprenorphine and naloxone, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

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