Suboxone side effects

What is Suboxone?

Suboxone is a medication used to treat patients with opioid use disorder. Suboxone is a brand name for the combination of naloxone and buprenorphine. It is a fixed dosage combined with some medication that includes Buprenorphine and naloxone.
As a combination of the two drugs (ingredients) mentioned above, Suboxone is available in four
strengths, which include:
• 0.5 mg naloxone/ 2 mg buprenorphine
• 1 mg naloxone/ 4 mg buprenorphine
• 1mg naloxone/ 8 mg buprenorphine
Any patient who is addicted to opioids can be treated with this medication in the above-mentioned strengths and combinations, which have been shown to help reduce up to 50% of the opioids found in the body.
Although effective and helpful, Suboxone should only ever be taken under the supervision of a physician because it can lead to certain side effects, especially when taken incorrectly.
The human body will always react to whatever you take in and suboxone is no different. It has its own host of side effects which we are going to look at in order to help anyone who is under this prescription to understand what to expect and, hopefully, not to panic.

Can this medication be controlled?

Studies have shown that Suboxone is very effective at reducing opioid use and it is a substance that can be managed and controlled. Any doctor who handles this medication is well trained and can help you control the dosage and usage of it so that you can get the most out of your treatment.
With that said, this medication can have serious long-term side effects, like:
• Liver damage
• Dependency

• Hormonal problems such as adrenal insufficiency
• Breathing problems
• Severe allergic reactions
• Can lead to a coma
• Severe withdrawal symptoms

Nine common side effects of Suboxone

Some of the most common side effects of this medication include respiratory depression, dizziness, and fainting, problems with concentration, back pains, blurry vision, anxiety, depression, headache,
constipation, weight loss or gain, sweating, hair loss, brain damage, insomnia, rash, etc. Let’s discuss these common side effects in detail:

1. Respiratory depression
   This refers to a situation where breathing becomes shallow and slower than usual, thus leading to
   oxygen loss in the body. Respiratory depression tends to be the most severe of all the side effects and
   can cause death if not treated in a timely manner. This is one of the reasons why it is very important to
   keep your physician’s details on hand at all times when taking Suboxone, in case such situations occur.
2. Headaches
   This is one of the common side effects of Suboxone and over 36% of users face it. Although unpleasant,
   it is often fleeting.
3. Constipation
   Constipation is another side effect that Suboxone users should expect. However, the more you consume
   the drug the more the side effects go away but if it doesn’t, consult your doctor.
4. Losing weight or gaining weight
   Although some users experience weight gain or weight loss while taking Suboxone, the percentage of
   this occurrence isn’t as large as that of other side effects. Plus, studies are yet to determine if Suboxone
   is responsible for this side effect and there’s no way to confirm such a claim except with anecdotal
   evidence.
5. Rash
   While Suboxone can cause the skin to break out in a rash, this mostly happens to users who are allergic
   to the dosage. They may develop a rash or their skin may start aching. Some reactions may include facial
   swelling and even trouble breathing. If you encounter any of this, let your doctor know, he may help you
   with another dosage that is more suitable to your constitution. If your allergy is too severe, call your
   doctor immediately.
6. Sweating
   This is another common side effect of Suboxone that can be experienced by patients at certain doses.
   Should this occur excessively, it is advisable to speak to your physician about possible treatment
   options.
7. Driving problems
   Suboxone can make you feel lightheaded, weak, sleepy, and it may even cause blurry vision. That’s why
   it’s advisable to rest after taking it and avoid driving because it might make you cause an accident.
8. Hair loss
   Although some Suboxone users have experienced hair loss after taking the substance, studies have not
   yet confirmed the connection between Suboxone and hair loss. So it is not entirely clear if Suboxone is
   the cause of hair loss or not although some users have experienced it.
9. Insomnia

Some users have complained about having difficulty sleeping and this is actually another common side- effect that Suboxone users face.

Symptoms of overuse

Although rare, some users have been found to abuse and overuse Suboxone. Doing this can significantly
increase the chances of experiencing side effects and even cause symptoms such as severe headaches,
vomiting, nausea, too much sweating, diarrhea, etc.

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