Suboxone dosage: A detailed guide

This article describes Suboxone sublingual film’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for Suboxone. If you want to know more about Suboxone, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses and side effects, and more.

Suboxone is a brand-name medication that comes as a sublingual (under the tongue) film. It’s available in a generic version called buprenorphine/naloxone. This article describes dosages of Suboxone.

Because it contains buprenorphine, Suboxone is classified as a Schedule 3 controlled substance. A controlled substance is a drug the government regulates due to the risk of dependence or misuse. For more information about these risks related to Suboxone, see this overview article.

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Form and strengths of Suboxone

Suboxone sublingual film comes as follows:

• Form: sublingual film you let dissolve under your tongue or inside your cheek
• Strengths:
  • 2 milligrams (mg) buprenorphine/0.5 mg naloxone
  • 4 mg buprenorphine/1 mg naloxone
  • 8 mg buprenorphine/2 mg naloxone
  • 12 mg buprenorphine/3 mg naloxone

Dosage of Suboxone

This article describes the recommended dosages for Suboxone sublingual film. The drugmaker provides these dosages.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of Suboxone sublingual film without your doctor’s recommendation.

Usual recommended dosages of Suboxone in adults

Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of Suboxone sublingual film. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of Suboxone sublingual film that gives the desired outcome.

Doctors prescribe Suboxone sublingual film to treat opioid dependence. Opioid dependence is treated in two phases: induction and maintenance. During the induction phase, Suboxone sublingual film helps prevent withdrawal symptoms as you reduce your opioid use. (Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that can occur when you stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent on.) During the maintenance phase, treatment with Suboxone sublingual film continues at a stable dose for a longer period.

Dosage for induction phase

Suboxone sublingual film is only used for induction if you’re dependent on short-acting opioids, such as heroin, codeine, and morphine. For induction, Suboxone sublingual film should be placed under the tongue. You should not use it inside the cheek because it can increase the risk of withdrawal symptoms. The first dose of Suboxone sublingual film should be given:

• when moderate opioid withdrawal symptoms start
• at least 6 hours since your last dose of an opioid

The following table shows the recommended dosages of Suboxone sublingual film for induction treatment. The dosages are in milligrams (mg).

Dosage for maintenance phase

For maintenance, Suboxone sublingual film can be placed under the tongue or inside the cheek. Doctors will adjust your dosage of Suboxone sublingual film to a level that keeps you stable and prevents opioid withdrawal symptoms.

The recommended dosages of Suboxone sublingual film for maintenance treatment in milligrams (mg) are:

• Typical maintenance dosage: ranges from 4 mg buprenorphine/1 mg naloxone to 24 mg buprenorphine/6 mg naloxone once per day
• Recommended target dosage: 16 mg buprenorphine/4 mg naloxone once per day
• Maximum dosage: 24 mg buprenorphine/6 mg naloxone once per day

Dosage adjustments for Suboxone

Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of Suboxone sublingual film based on several factors. These include:

• the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
• your age
• other health conditions you may have

Missed dose of Suboxone

If you realize you forgot to take a dose of Suboxone sublingual film, take the dose as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at your regular time. Do not try to catch up by taking two doses at the same time unless a healthcare professional tells you to do so. If you’re not sure about your dosing, talk with your doctor.

For tips on how to plan your doses of Suboxone sublingual film and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:

• downloading a reminder app on your phone
• setting an alarm
• putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Suboxone sublingual film and its dosage.

How do I know if my dose of Suboxone is too low?

Suboxone sublingual film is used to treat dependence on opioid drugs. It does this by preventing withdrawal symptoms that occur as you reduce or stop opioid use. (Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that can occur when you stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent on.)

If you experience opioid withdrawal symptoms while you are being treated with Suboxone sublingual film, your dose may be too low. Symptoms of opioid withdrawal include:

• restlessness
• anxiety
• eyes tearing up
• runny nose
• sweating
• difficulty sleeping
• yawning
• diarrhea
• stomach cramps
• rapid heart rate
• high blood pressure

If you have more questions about this, talk with your doctor.

Can Suboxone be used for pain? If so, what is the dosage?

Maybe. But Suboxone sublingual film is only approved to treat opioid drug dependence. It’s not approved to treat pain.

In some cases, doctors may prescribe Suboxone off-label for pain. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.

If you have questions about taking Suboxone for pain, talk with your doctor.

Is Suboxone taken long term?

It can be. Doctors may prescribe Suboxone sublingual film as a short-term or long-term treatment. If you and your doctor decide that it’s safe, beneficial, and contributes to your intended treatment goals, you may take it long term.

If you have questions about how long you should take Suboxone sublingual film, talk with your doctor.

Is there a risk of dependence or withdrawal with Suboxone?

Yes. Taking Suboxone sublingual film can cause dependence. (With dependence, your body needs the drug to function as usual.) And if Suboxone sublingual film is suddenly stopped or the dosage is decreased too quickly, it can cause withdrawal symptoms. (Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that can occur when you stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent on.)

Examples of Suboxone sublingual film withdrawal symptoms include:

• diarrhea
• headache
• difficulty sleeping
• irritability
• sweating

Because of these risks, your doctor will likely lower your dosage of Suboxone sublingual film slowly over time until it’s safe for you to stop the drug completely.

If you have more questions about the risk of dependence or withdrawal with Suboxone sublingual film, talk with your doctor.

How Suboxone is taken

Depending on your phase of treatment, you’ll place Suboxone sublingual film under the tongue or inside the cheek once per day. Keep the film in place until it dissolves completely. You should not eat or drink anything until the entire film is dissolved.

You should place the Suboxone sublingual film whole. Do not cut or chew the film.

If you are placing Suboxone sublingual film under the tongue, place it close to the base of the tongue on the left or the right side. If you are using two films to make up your dose, place one film on each side of the tongue and try not to overlap the films. If you are using three films to make up your dose, let the first two films dissolve first. Then, place the third film on either side under the tongue.

If you are placing Suboxone sublingual film inside the cheek, place the film inside the right or left cheek. If you are using two films to make up your dose, place one film inside each cheek. If you are using three films to make up your dose, let the first two films dissolve first. Then, place the third film inside either cheek.

After Suboxone sublingual film has completely dissolved, take a sip of water, swish the water around your mouth, and swallow. Wait at least 1 hour before you brush your teeth.

Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. And that can help the drug work better.

Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you are having difficulty taking your medication. They can recommend ways to take it.

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Overdose of Suboxone

It’s important that you do not take more Suboxone sublingual film than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.

Symptoms of Suboxone overdose

Symptoms of an overdose can include:

• small pupils, which are known as “pinpoint” pupils
• sedation
• low blood pressure
• low blood sugar
• slowed or shallow breathing
• death

What to do if you take too much Suboxone

If you think you’ve taken too much Suboxone, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosages for Suboxone sublingual film. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Do not change your dosage of Suboxone sublingual film without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take Suboxone sublingual film exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How often will you be changing my dosage of Suboxone?
• Will you be changing my dosage of Suboxone if I take other drugs with it?
• Will a higher dosage of Suboxone increase my risk of side effects?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.