Suboxone is a brand-name medication that comes as a film that dissolves when placed under the tongue. It’s also available in a generic version that’s a combination of the drugs buprenorphine and naloxone.
This article describes possible side effects of Suboxone. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for Suboxone.
You can explore this overview article to learn more about Suboxone, including the drug’s uses, dosage, ways to save on cost, and more.
More common side effects of Suboxone
Suboxone may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of Suboxone include:
- burning sensation in your mouth
- mouth sores
- mouth or tongue numbness
- restlessness
- headache
- nausea
Mild side effects of Suboxone
Suboxone may cause certain mild side effects. Most often, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of Suboxone that occurred in studies include:
- blurry vision
- burning sensation in your mouth
- chills
- constipation
- diarrhea
- difficulty paying attention
- fatigue (low energy) or weakness
- feeling intoxicated
- headache
- insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
- nausea
- pain, such as back pain or abdomen pain
- restlessness
- mouth sores
- mouth or tongue numbness
- sweating more than usual
- vomiting
- mild allergic reaction*
Suboxone may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Suboxone in detail” section below.
Serious side effects of Suboxone
Suboxone may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from Suboxone, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Suboxone.
Serious side effects of Suboxone that have been reported include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Common questions about side effects of Suboxone” section below.
† To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Suboxone in detail” section below.
Common questions about side effects of Suboxone
Here are answers to some common questions about the side effects of Suboxone. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Can Suboxone lead to misuse, dependence, or withdrawal?
Yes, Suboxone can lead to misuse. It may also cause dependence and withdrawal symptoms. To learn more about dependence and withdrawal with Suboxone, see the “Side effects of Suboxone in detail” section below.
Misuse means a drug is taken in a way other than how it’s prescribed. Misusing Suboxone can lead to overdose and other serious side effects, including difficulty breathing.
It’s important to discuss any concerns about misuse with your doctor as soon as possible. There are treatment options other than Suboxone that may be better for you.
How do the side effects of Suboxone in females compare with those in males?
Side effects of Suboxone are expected to be the same in females and males.* If you have concerns about side effects of the drug related to this, talk with your doctor.
* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.
Are sexual side effects possible with Suboxone?
No, it’s not thought to do so. Sexual side effects weren’t reported in Suboxone’s studies.
That said, Suboxone is prescribed to treat opioid use disorder. Long-term opioid use is known to cause sexual side effects and changes in sexual health, including:
Treating opioid use disorder may help treat sexual side effects caused by the condition. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your sexual health during treatment for opioid use disorder.
Does Suboxone cause long-term side effects?
Yes, it’s possible to have long-term side effects from taking Suboxone. They may start during treatment and continue for a long time, possibly after you’ve stopped treatment. Or they may start after you’ve taken the drug for a long time or stopped treatment.
Long-term side effects that are possible with Suboxone include:
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about these side effects and how to manage them. Ask your doctor for more information about other possible long-term side effects of Suboxone.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Suboxone in detail” section below.
Coupon for Suboxone
Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for Suboxone when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.
Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.
Side effects of Suboxone in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of Suboxone.
Respiratory depression
Respiratory depression (difficulty breathing) is a possible side effect of Suboxone. It’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in the drug’s studies. In rare cases, this side effect can lead to coma or be life threatening.
Suboxone contains the drugs buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is an opioid and may cause difficulty breathing. Most reports of respiratory depression with buprenorphine occurred when the drug was:
- misused, which means it was taken in a way other than how it was prescribed
- taken with other drugs that can cause this side effect
Examples of drugs that can cause respiratory depression include benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin). Consuming alcohol can also cause this effect.
Having certain medical conditions can also increase your risk of respiratory depression while taking Suboxone. These conditions include:
Ways to manage
Due to the risk of respiratory depression, people taking Suboxone should have naloxone (Narcan) on hand. It’s a nasal spray used to reverse breathing problems from opioids in an emergency. Your doctor or pharmacist can provide information about Narcan, including how to get it and use it.
If you have breathing problems that feel life threatening while taking Suboxone, seek emergency medical care right away. Narcan should be given as soon as possible, and 911 (or your local emergency number) should be called.
Central nervous system depression
Suboxone can cause central nervous system (CNS) depression, which may cause balance or coordination problems. CNS depression may occur at any time while you’re taking Suboxone. It’s not clear how often CNS depression occurred in the drug’s studies.
The CNS consists of your brain and spinal cord. It’s responsible for regulating many functions throughout the body.
In addition to problems with balance and coordination, other symptoms of CNS depression include:
- confusion, which can impair your ability to make decisions
- inability to drive a car, operate machinery, or carry out other activities that require mental alertness
- slowed heart rate
Ways to manage
Due to this risk, your doctor will likely suggest that you avoid possibly dangerous activities until you know how the drug affects you. Examples of these activities include driving or operating heavy machinery.
If you have symptoms of CNS depression while taking Suboxone, call your doctor right away. They may recommend stopping Suboxone and trying other treatments.
Continue taking Suboxone exactly as prescribed until you talk with your doctor. Skipping a dose or taking it late may lead to withdrawal symptoms. Also, do not stop taking Suboxone unless your doctor recommends it. They can advise how to safely stop the drug to help reduce the risk of withdrawal symptoms. For more details, see the section directly below.
Dependence and withdrawal symptoms
Suboxone can cause dependence. With dependence, your body needs a drug to function like usual. Withdrawal symptoms may occur if you suddenly stop taking Suboxone or don’t take it exactly as prescribed.
Withdrawal symptoms of Suboxone are related to one of its active drugs, buprenorphine. This active drug is an opioid. An active drug is the ingredient that makes medication work.
Withdrawal symptoms from Suboxone are expected to be milder than those caused by other opioids. But they may not appear right away after stopping Suboxone.
Possible withdrawal symptoms Suboxone can cause include:
- muscle aches
- headache
- nausea
Ways to manage
If you are interested in stopping treatment with Suboxone, talk with your doctor first. Do not suddenly stop taking the drug.
If it’s safe for you to stop taking Suboxone, your doctor can plan a drug taper schedule for you. With a drug taper, your doctor will slowly lower your dose over time until you can safely stop taking the drug.
If you have concerns about dependence or withdrawal from Suboxone, talk with your doctor.
Allergic reaction
For some people, Suboxone can cause an allergic reaction. These reactions were rarely reported in the drug’s studies but may still occur.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Suboxone, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication.
Warnings for Suboxone
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking Suboxone.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take Suboxone if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether Suboxone is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking Suboxone, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:
Suboxone and pregnancy
Taking Suboxone while pregnant can lead to a condition called neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS). With NOWS, a newborn may have withdrawal symptoms after birth. This is because they were exposed to the drug while in the womb and their body became dependent on it. With dependence, your body needs the drug to function like usual.
Symptoms of NOWS may include:
- irritability
- tremors (uncontrollable shaking in a part of the body)
- difficulty feeding
- seizures (changes in the electrical activity of the brain)
Without proper treatment, NOWS may be life threatening for the newborn.
The American Society of Addiction Medicine recommends treatments other than Suboxone for opioid use disorder in pregnant people. Talk with your doctor to learn more about treatment options if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or can become pregnant.
Suboxone and breastfeeding
Breastfeeding while taking Suboxone may cause drowsiness and breathing problems in a child who is breastfed. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking Suboxone while breastfeeding.
Suboxone and alcohol
Suboxone is known to interact with alcohol. You should avoid drinking alcohol during treatment with Suboxone.
Consuming alcohol during Suboxone treatment can cause serious side effects, including:
Talk with your doctor if you have more questions about the risk of drinking alcohol during Suboxone treatment. If you consume alcohol, ask your doctor about ways to stop drinking before you start treatment.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of Suboxone. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Does my health history increase my risk of side effects from Suboxone?
- If I have side effects from Suboxone, should I try a lower dosage?
- How do the side effects of Suboxone compare with those of other treatments for opioid use disorder?
- Should I carry Narcan with me during Suboxone treatment, and under what situations should it be used?
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.
