How Do You Properly Take Suboxone?

Medicines that interact with Suboxone may either decrease its effect, affect how long it works, increase side effects, or have less of an effect when taken with Suboxone. An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of the medications; however, sometimes it does. Speak to your doctor about how drug interactions should be managed. The systemic exposure of buprenorphine between buccal and sublingual administration of SUBOXONE sublingual film is similar.

  1. This will depend on your specific situation and the treatment plan you and your doctor agreed on.
  2. Short-acting opioids include heroin, codeine, morphine, and oxycodone (Oxycontin, Roxicodone).
  3. Naltrexone is also approved to treat opioid dependence.
  4. Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech.

However, your doctor will prescribe the Suboxone dosage that’s right for you. It is acceptable to take multiple doses of Suboxone (depending on the strength of the dose), but don’t take another dose unless your doctor has approved it. However, if the medication is crushed, dissolved into a solution, or changed in some other way, this will activate the naloxone and render the buprenorphine ineffective. The medication needs to completely dissolve into the cheek or under the tongue in order to be effective. Suboxone tablets look similar to other tablet medications.

You’ll continue to meet with your doctor at least once per week during the first month of treatment. If you’re having trouble reading your prescription label, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you’re not sure how to take it. Treatment with Suboxone, therapy, and counseling can help you manage your opioid use disorder or dependence. Due to its partial agonist effects, buprenorphine may reduce the pleasurable effects when mu-opioid receptor agonists are used. The following information is provided for clinicians and other healthcare professionals. Drinking grapefruit juice while taking Suboxone might increase levels of Suboxone and increase your risk of side effects. If you’re taking Suboxone, don’t drink grapefruit juice.

Additional Dosage Information

Because of this, taking St. John’s wort with Suboxone can cause your body to get rid of Suboxone more quickly. Typically, your doctor will start you on a low dosage and adjust it over time to reach the dosage that’s right for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect. After several months to a year or longer, your doctor may stop your Suboxone treatment using a slow dosage taper. Weight gain or weight loss are not side effects that have been reported in clinical trials of Suboxone.

If you have questions about the dosage of Suboxone that’s best for you, talk with your doctor. Tapering your Suboxone dose could last several weeks or even months. The exact time needed to taper your dose depends on your Suboxone dose and how long you’ve taken it. However, you should skip the missed dose if it’s nearly time for your next dose. Do not use more than one dose of Suboxone at once, unless specifically instructed to do so by your doctor.

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If your doctor recommends Suboxone for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. To help make sure you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. To view step-by-step instructions for using Suboxone, refer to the drug’s medication guide. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist for help. The highest recommended dose of Suboxone in one day is 24 milligrams (mg) buprenorphine/6 mg naloxone. Check out this article to learn more about Suboxone, including possible side effects the drug can cause.

Klonopin (clonazepam) is classified as a benzodiazepine. Taking Suboxone with benzodiazepines, including Klonopin, can increase the risk of severe side effects. These include severe sedation (sleepiness), breathing problems, crack withdrawal timeline coma, and death. Taking Suboxone with benzodiazepines, including Xanax, can increase the risk of severe side effects. Suboxone and Bunavail contain the same drugs and are used in the same way to treat opioid dependence.

Suboxone dependence can cause drug-craving and drug-seeking behavior, which may lead to misuse (also called abuse). Misuse refers to taking a drug in a way that’s not prescribed, such as taking too much of it. It is recommended that an adequate maintenance dose, titrated to clinical effectiveness, be achieved as rapidly as possible. In some studies, a too-gradual induction over several days led to a high rate of drop-out of buprenorphine patients during the induction period.

You and your doctor will decide whether Suboxone is the right medication for you, based on factors like your medical history and personal preferences. How long it takes to taper off your medicine depends on the type and dose of the opioid you’ve been taking and how long you’ve been taking it. You may need weeks, months or even longer to slowly and safely lower your dose and stop taking your opioid medicine. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. What is the most important information I should know about SUBOXONE Sublingual Film? If a child accidentally takes SUBOXONE Sublingual Film, get emergency help or call 911 right away.

Stimulation of the mu receptor causes analgesia, respiratory depression, euphoria, and dependence. Long-term use of Suboxone can lead to physical and psychological dependence. Suboxone dependence can cause drug-craving and drug-seeking behavior, which may lead to misuse. Misuse refers to using https://sober-house.org/ a drug in a way other than how it’s prescribed, such as taking too much of it. Taking Suboxone with Ambien (zolpidem) can increase the risk of severe side effects. Certain medications that block an enzyme called cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) can decrease how fast the body breaks down Suboxone.

Is there a recommended dosage chart for Suboxone?

Naloxone belongs to a group of medicines called opioid antagonists. Because it dissolves inside your mouth, Suboxone is easier to take while you’re in addiction recovery. You just place the tablet or film under your tongue, and it melts on its own.

Treatment should be initiated with supervised administration, progressing to unsupervised administration as the patient’s clinical stability permits. SUBOXONE sublingual film is subject to diversion and abuse. Suboxone can slow or stop your breathing, and death may occur.

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