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.
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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.
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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35Downsides
- 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.
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What to expect from Suboxone, on one page
Download Fact SheetHow 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
Prices and coupons
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See more prices and coupons in your areaWhat to expect when you take Suboxone (buprenorphine / naloxone) for Opioid dependence
Skip what to expect section. Skip to side effects section.- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Effectiveness
- Starts to kick inFull effects
- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Possible side effects
- Headache
- Pain
- Withdrawal syndrome
- Nausea
- Difficulty sleeping
- Sweating
Side effect rates for Suboxone (buprenorphine / naloxone)
From 214 clinical trials of Suboxone when taken for opioid dependence (16 mg buprenorphine/4 mg naloxone)
- Headache36%36%22%22%
- Withdrawal25%25%37%37%
- Pain22%22%19%19%
- Nausea15%15%11%11%
- Difficulty sleeping14%14%16%16%
- Sweating14%14%10%10%
- Constipation12%12%3%3%
- Stomach pain11%11%7%7%
- Dilation of blood vessels9%9%7%7%
- Chills8%8%8%8%
- Vomiting8%8%5%5%
- Weakness7%7%7%7%
- Infection6%6%7%7%
- Hay fever5%5%13%13%
- Back pain4%4%11%11%
- Diarrhea4%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)
Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.- 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
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)
Final section. Do you want to return to drug navigation?Price
- Not worth itBig hassleReviewed 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 EFFECTS28WomanTwo years or moreOpioid 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.
- Worth itBig hassleReviewed 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 ..45ManTwo years or moreOpioid dependence
- Not sureSome hassleReviewed Suboxoneon 5/29/2019I have never had my hand go so painfully numb or swell at all. Now I have constantly since being on this medication. The Dr said it's carpel tunnel syndrome, but obviously this medication is doing some damage to nerves. I say this because the exact same thing is happening to my boyfriend and we started at the same time. Neither of us had any problems before taking Suboxone.39WomanA year or soOpioid dependence
- Not sureBig hassleReviewed Suboxoneon 4/4/2019I use this drug for severe nerve pain. It is more effective that a drug such as Percocet, Vicodin, or ultram. But, the severe constipation is making me wean off this drug. My bowels will not move at all without using at least 10- 12 duclolax. I’m still in the process of weaning off which is hell. I’m down to about 1/8 of a strip per day, and that low of a dose is VERY effective for nerve pain! Yet, that low of a dose is just as constipating as a higher dose-42WomanA year or soWould rather not say
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.