Suboxone

(buprenorphine / naloxone)

●●●●●
4.0/ 5 average rating with 35 reviewsforSuboxone
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Treats opioid addiction.

Skip Upsides & Downsides section. Skip to side effects section.

Our bottom line

Suboxone (buprenorphine / naloxone) works well to reduce cravings and treat opioid dependence. It's most effective if you have an addiction to heroin or short-acting opioids.

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Quick facts about Suboxone
  • Drug class: Pain
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (buprenorphine / naloxone)

Upsides

  • Suboxone (buprenorphine / naloxone) works best for people addicted to short-acting opioids or heroin.
  • Your doctor can adjust the dose to a level that controls withdrawal symptoms until you're stable.
  • Suboxone (buprenorphine / naloxone) has fewer side effects and drug interactions compared to other similar medicines.
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What to expect from Suboxone, on one page

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People’s experience with Suboxone

35reviews so far. What do you think?

Downsides

  • Suboxone (buprenorphine / naloxone) is not as good for people who are dependent on long-acting opioids or methadone because of the risk of a long withdrawal.
  • Like all opioids, it can cause slowed breathing, coma, and death from overdose, especially if you mix with other depressants, like pain medicine or alcohol.
  • You have to be very careful with your dose. Changing the size or strength of a film can affect the amount of drug absorbed into your body, and could cause under- or over-dosing.
  • The film can cause reduced sensation in your mouth, painful burning tongue, or burning mouth syndrome.
  • The film may not be appropriate for you if you have lung disease.
Get our free fact sheet

What to expect from Suboxone, on one page

Download Fact Sheet
How it works

Suboxone (buprenorphine / naloxone) is a combination medicine with two parts that work together to treat opioid dependence. Buprenorphine is an opioid pain reliever. Naloxone is added to prevent overuse or abuse of this medication or other opiates.

Quick facts about Suboxone
  • Drug class: Pain
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (buprenorphine / naloxone)

Used for

Dosage forms

  • Pill
  • Sublingual film
  • Dissolving tablet
People’s experience with Suboxone

35reviews so far. What do you think?

Prices and coupons

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What to expect when you take Suboxone (buprenorphine / naloxone) for Opioid dependence

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  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
  • Effectiveness
  • Starts to kick in
    Full effects
  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
  • Possible side effects
  • Headache
  • Pain
  • Withdrawal syndrome
  • Nausea
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Sweating
Skip side effects section. Skip to risks and warnings section.

Side effect rates for Suboxone (buprenorphine / naloxone)

From 214 clinical trials of Suboxone when taken for opioid dependence (16 mg buprenorphine/4 mg naloxone)
  • Headache
    36%36%
    22%22%
  • Withdrawal
    25%25%
    37%37%
  • Pain
    22%22%
    19%19%
  • Nausea
    15%15%
    11%11%
  • Difficulty sleeping
    14%14%
    16%16%
  • Sweating
    14%14%
    10%10%
  • Constipation
    12%12%
    3%3%
  • Stomach pain
    11%11%
    7%7%
  • Dilation of blood vessels
    9%9%
    7%7%
  • Chills
    8%8%
    8%8%
  • Vomiting
    8%8%
    5%5%
  • Weakness
    7%7%
    7%7%
  • Infection
    6%6%
    7%7%
  • Hay fever
    5%5%
    13%13%
  • Back pain
    4%4%
    11%11%
  • Diarrhea
    4%4%
    15%15%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Where we got our data »

The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Suboxone.

Suboxone (buprenorphine / naloxone)
Placebo

People taking Suboxone felt side effect more

People taking Suboxone felt side effect less

No difference

Risks and Warnings for Suboxone (buprenorphine / naloxone)

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    • Higher risk if:
    • › Cardiovascular disease
    • › dehydration
    • › taking drugs that lower blood pressure

    Suboxone (buprenorphine / naloxone) can cause severe low blood pressure, fainting, and a drop in blood pressure when you change positions, called orthostatic hypotension. You might be more sensitive if you're already taking medicine to lower your blood pressure so be careful. It's important that you tell your doctor about these symptoms before changing your dose or stopping your medication.

Pharmacist Q&A

Suboxone (buprenorphine / naloxone) questions for

Frequently Asked Questions

Suboxone treats drug addiction when the drug is in the opioid family.

Who is this drug for?

Suboxone treats drug addiction when the drug is in the opioid family.

Common concerns from people taking Suboxone (buprenorphine / naloxone)

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Price
  • Not worth it
    Worked so-so
    Big hassle
    Reviewed Suboxoneon 6/5/2019DONT TAKE UNLESS YOUR SURE YOU CAN HANDLE THE DETOX! WE LOST A DR AFTER 8 YRS TO RAISED PRICES OF OFFICE VISITS EVERY 6 MONTHS BUT THE STRIPS CAUSED FEET AN LEG SWELLING SO BAD I COULDNT FIT EVEN LARGE HOUSE SHOES. AND MY HANDS WENT NUMB. WHY YOU THINK I FOUND THIS SIGHT I WAS GOOGLING SUBOXONE SIDE EFFECTS
    28
    Woman
    Two years or more
    Opioid dependence
Interactions
  • Suboxone (buprenorphine / naloxone) has fewer side effects and drug interactions compared to other similar medicines.
Alcohol
  • Avoid taking Suboxone (buprenorphine / naloxone) with alcohol and other sedating drugs. The combination of the two can be very dangerous.
Pain
  • The film can cause reduced sensation in your mouth, painful burning tongue, or burning mouth syndrome.
  • Not worth it
    Worked so-so
    Big hassle
    Reviewed Suboxoneon 7/31/2020My side effects were extreme edema, severe pain after a few days. Facial numbness and itching and blistering, peeling skin around my nose. Itching! It was BAD. I really wish I was not allergic to this medication.
    43
    Woman
    Less than a week
    Would rather not say
  • Worth it
    Worked so-so
    Low hassle
    Reviewed buprenorphine / naloxoneon 1/10/2020I love this medicine it saved my life. I was on pain pills for 6 years and got so sick of the meds not working having to take more and more to help my pain then I'd run out and withdraw severely so I went to my doc myself told him I was done he suggested suboxone for my pain not being I used drugs strictly for my pain I waited couple days took it and instantly withdraw gone pain gone only issue I have is I still hurt some days I take Tylenol with it and then I'm great
    41
    Woman
    Two years or more
    Would rather not say
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Big hassle
    Reviewed Suboxoneon 6/8/2019Was taking between 30 and 60 narcotic pain pills daily and now I take just 2 suboxones daily..With proper treatment & supervision (frequent urine screens ,outpatient treatment ,regular counseling, meetings ,weekly pickup times,and regular appointments with your outpatient physician or prescriber) it is a very effective drug if closely monitored ..
    45
    Man
    Two years or more
    Opioid dependence
Sleep
  • Suboxone (buprenorphine / naloxone) can make you drowsy and dizzy. Avoid activities that need you to be fully alert until you know how Suboxone (buprenorphine / naloxone) affects you.