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Suboxone

Generic Name: buprenorphine and naloxone (byoo PREH nor feen and NAH lox own)

What is Suboxone?

Buprenorphine is an opioid medication. Buprenorphine is similar to other opioids such as morphine, codeine, and heroin however, it produces less euphoric ("high") effects and therefore may be easier to stop taking.

Naloxone blocks the effects of opioids such as morphine, codeine, and heroin. If Suboxone is injected, naloxone will block the effects of buprenorphine and lead to withdrawal symptoms in a person with an opioid addiction. When administered under the tongue as directed, naloxone will not affect the actions of buprenorphine.

Suboxone is used to treat opiate addiction.

Suboxone may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Suboxone

Suboxone can cause death from overdose, especially if it is injected with a tranquilizer. Use Suboxone exactly as directed by your doctor. As a parent or individual, if you suspect someone of using this substance you can get a definitive answer by using a simple, private urine drug testing kit. There are easy-to-use suboxone/opiate/herion FDA Cleared/Approved urine drug testing products at https://www.homedrugtestingkit.com/zshop.

Suboxone can cause drug dependence. This means that withdrawal symptoms may occur if you stop using Suboxone too quickly. Withdrawal symptoms may also occur at the start of treatment due to dependence on another drug. Suboxone is not for occasional ("as needed") use. Do not stop taking Suboxone without first talking to your doctor. Your doctor may want to gradually reduce the dose to avoid or minimize withdrawal symptoms.

In an emergency, have family members tell emergency room staff that you are taking Suboxone and that you are dependent on opioids.

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Suboxone may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or impaired thinking. If you experience drowsiness, dizziness, or impaired thinking, avoid these activities. Avoid alcohol while taking Suboxone. Alcohol may dangerously increase drowsiness and dizziness caused by the medication.

Suboxone may dangerously increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat insomnia), other pain relievers, anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any other prescription or over-the-counter medicine, including herbal products, without first talking to your doctor.

Before taking Suboxone

Do not take Suboxone if:

the medication was not prescribed for you; or
you are allergic to buprenorphine, naloxone, or any components of the tablets.

Before taking Suboxone, tell your doctor if you have:

lung problems or difficulty breathing;
a head injury or brain problem;
liver problems;
kidney problems;
gallbladder problems;
adrenal gland problems, such as Addison's disease;
low thyroid (hypothyroidism);
enlarged prostate gland;
problems urinating;
a curve in the spine that affects breathing;
severe mental problems or hallucinations (seeing or hearing thing that are not really there); or
alcoholism.

You may not be able to take Suboxone, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Suboxone is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether this medication will be harmful to an unborn baby. Use of this medication during pregnancy may cause withdrawal symptoms in a newborn baby. Do not take Suboxone if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Suboxone passes into breast milk and may be harmful to a nursing baby. Do not take this medication if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Suboxone?

Take Suboxone exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

The Suboxone tablets should be placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve. This will take 2 to 10 minutes. If more than one tablet is prescribed per dose, your doctor may tell you to put all of the tablets under your tongue at the same time, or put 2 tablets under your tongue and allow them to dissolve completely, then put the next tablet or tablets under the tongue right away.

Do not chew or swallow the tablets. The medicine will not work this way and you may get withdrawal symptoms. Do not change the dose of Suboxone or take it more often than prescribed without first talking to your doctor. Do not inject ("shoot-up") Suboxone. Shooting-up is dangerous and may cause bad withdrawal symptoms.

Suboxone may cause withdrawal symptoms if taken too soon after a dose of heroin, morphine, or methadone.

Suboxone can cause drug dependence. This means that withdrawal symptoms may occur if you stop using the medicine too quickly. Withdrawal symptoms may also occur at the start of treatment due to dependence on another drug. Suboxone is not for occasional ("as needed") use. Do not stop taking Suboxone without first talking to your doctor. Your doctor may want to gradually reduce the dose to avoid or minimize withdrawal symptoms.

When treatment with Suboxone is completed, flush any unused tablets down the toilet.

Suboxone can cause constipation. Drink plenty of water (six to eight full glasses a day) to lessen this side effect. Increasing the amount of fiber in your diet can also help to alleviate constipation.

Your doctor may want to perform blood tests or other forms of monitoring during treatment with Suboxone.

Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Suboxone may be a target for people who abuse prescription or street drugs. Therefore, keep the tablets in a safe place to protect them from theft. Never give them to anyone else. Sell or giving away this medicine is against the law. As a parent or individual, if you suspect someone of using this substance you can get a definitive answer by using a simple, private urine drug testing kit. There are easy-to-use suboxone/opiate/herion urine drug testing products at https://www.homedrugtestingkit.com/zshop.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a Suboxone overdose may include slow breathing, seizures, dizziness, weakness, loss of consciousness, coma, confusion, tiredness, cold and clammy skin, and small pupils.

What should I avoid while taking Suboxone?

In an emergency, have family members tell emergency room staff that you are taking Suboxone and that you are dependent on opioids. As a parent or individual, if you suspect someone of using this substance you can get a definitive answer by using a simple, private urine drug testing kit. There are easy-to-use suboxone/opiate/herion FDA Cleared/Approved urine drug testing products at https://www.homedrugtestingkit.com/zshop.

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. This medication may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or impaired thinking. If you experience drowsiness, dizziness, or impaired thinking, avoid these activities.

Dizziness may be more likely to occur when rising from a sitting or lying position. Rise slowly to minimize dizziness and prevent a fall.

Avoid alcohol while taking this medicine. Alcohol may dangerously increase drowsiness and dizziness caused by the medication.

Suboxone side effects

Suboxone can cause drug dependence. This means that withdrawal symptoms may occur if you stop using the medicine too quickly. Withdrawal symptoms may also occur at the start of treatment due to dependence on another drug. Suboxone is not for occasional ("as needed") use. Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your doctor. Your doctor may want to gradually reduce the dose to avoid or minimize withdrawal symptoms. Seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following serious side effects:

an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat, swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
slow breathing;
dizziness or confusion; or
liver problems such as yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark colored urine, light colored stools (bowel movements), decreased appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or lower stomach pain.

Other less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Suboxone and talk to your doctor if you experience

headache;
pain;
problems sleeping;
nausea;
sweating;
stomach pain; or
constipation.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Suboxone?

Suboxone can cause death from overdose, especially if it is injected with a tranquilizer. Use this medication exactly as directed by your doctor.

Do not take this medicine without first talking to your doctor if you are taking:

a benzodiazepine such as alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), clonazepam (Klonopin), clorazepate (Tranxene), lorazepam (Ativan), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), oxazepam (Serax), triazolam (Halcion), temazepam (Restoril), estazolam (Prosom), quazepam (Doral), or flurazepam (Dalmane);
erythromycin (Ery-Tab, E.E.S., E-Mycin, others) or clarithromycin (Biaxin);
itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral);
an HIV protease inhibitor such as indinavir (Crixivan), ritonavir (Norvir) or saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase);
rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane), rifapentine (Priftin), or rifabutin (Mycobutin);
phenytoin (Dilantin);
carbamazepine (Tegretol);
a barbiturate such as phenobarbital, mephobarbital (Mebaral), and others.

You may not be able to take Suboxone, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medications listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with this medication. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist may have additional information about Suboxone written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Buprenorphine and naloxone is available with a prescription under the brand name Suboxone. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

Suboxone 2mg/0.5 mg (buprenorphine/naloxone)-hexagonal, orange tablets
Suboxone 8mg/2 mg (buprenorphine/naloxone)-hexagonal, orange tablets
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

There are many effective behavioral treatments available for suboxone/opiate addiction. These can include residential and outpatient approaches. Several new behavioral therapies are showing particular promise for heroin addiction. Contingency management therapy uses a voucher-based system, where patients earn "points" based on negative drug tests, which they can exchange for items that encourage healthful living. Cognitive-behavioral interventions are designed to help modify the patient's thinking, expectancies, and behaviors and to increase skills in coping with various life stressors. In addition, personal and private drug testing will reinforce the behavior which leads to discontinuance of suboxone/opiate/herion use. Go to https://www.homedrugtestingkit.com/zshop for purchase of FDA Cleared/Approved easy-to-use drug testing kits right now.

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Suboxone - This webpage contains information about the use of Suboxone, effects of Suboxone, detection of Suboxone in the human body, and manufacture of Suboxone.