Using Suboxone During Pregnancy: Opioid Use Disorder Treatments

Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), such as products containing buprenorphine/naloxone (commonly known by the brand name Suboxone), can be an important component of a comprehensive recovery plan for people who are managing opioid use disorder (OUD) while pregnant.¹

Proper treatment of OUD, commonly referred to as an opioid addiction, can help support both maternal health and the development of the unborn baby.

Opioid Use While Pregnant

Opioid use disorder in pregnancy can pose numerous risks to both the pregnant person and their unborn baby.^1,2

Research has found that untreated OUD during pregnancy can increase the chances of:^2,3

• Maternal death.
• Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), also known as neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS).
• Poor fetal growth, fetal growth restriction, and low birth weight.
• Placental abruption.
• Preterm birth.
• Intrauterine passage of meconium (the baby’s first bowel movement). 
• Stillbirth or fetal death.

Fortunately, there are safe, effective options for opioid addiction treatment during pregnancy, including treatment that utilizes medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD).¹

Can You Take Suboxone While Pregnant?

Yes, buprenorphine/naloxone combinations (e.g., Suboxone)—a common MOUD used to minimize opioid withdrawal symptoms and cravings—can be used safely and effectively during pregnancy when prescribed and monitored by a physician as part of OUD treatment.^1,4

Research has shown that using MOUD like Suboxone during pregnancy helps the patient maintain recovery, which in turn reduces risks associated with untreated OUD, such as  preterm birth, poor fetal growth, and neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS).^1,5

Does Suboxone Use During Pregnancy Affect the Baby?

The use of Suboxone (a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone)during pregnancy is considered safe and beneficial for both the parent and the unborn child when used as prescribed for OUD, as it helps stabilize the intrauterine environment compared to illicit opioid use.⁶

However, babies exposed to any opioids before birth, including medications for OUD like buprenorphine, may develop signs of withdrawal called neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) or neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS).⁴ t’s important to understand that MOUD helps manage OUD and improve overall maternal and infant outcomes despite the possibility of NAS/NOWS. Studies indicate that buprenorphine may be associated with less severe NAS symptoms and shorter hospital stays for the infant compared to methadone.⁷

Signs and symptoms of NAS related to buprenorphine exposure usually begin within 72 hours after delivery.⁶ Your healthcare team will monitor your baby for these signs and provide supportive care if needed.

Breastfeeding While on Suboxone

Breastfeeding is generally considered safe and is encouraged for new parents who are stable on MOUD, including Suboxone. Discuss this with your physician, as buprenorphine does enter breast milk in small amounts.⁴

Studies have shown that the levels of buprenorphine in human milk are low and are unlikely to have negative effects on the baby.^4,8 

Breastfeeding can also offer benefits for both parent and child, potentially decreasing the severity of NAS and supporting bonding.^9,10

What Other Medications Treat Opioid Use Disorder During Pregnancy?

Both methadone and buprenorphine (the primary active medication in Suboxone) are considered standard-of-care for treating OUD during pregnancy.¹¹

Methadone works similarly to buprenorphine in that it also mitigates withdrawal symptoms and cravings. The main difference is that methadone is a long-acting full opioid agonist,¹² whereas buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist. Suboxone also contains naloxone, an opioid antagonist, to discourage misuse.¹³

Both methadone and buprenorphine formulations are safe and effective for use during pregnancy. However, buprenorphine/naloxone combinations like Suboxone offer several advantages: ⁶

• Buprenorphine is associated with fewer known drug interactions compared to methadone.
• Buprenorphine can be prescribed in outpatient settings, including medical clinics, which can offer more flexibility than daily visits often required for methadone at an opioid treatment program (OTP) though OTPs may also offer mobile methadone dispensing.
• Infants born to mothers treated with buprenorphine tend to have higher average birth weights, greater gestational age at delivery, and larger head circumferences compared to those whose mothers were treated with methadone.¹⁴
• Several trials have shown evidence of less severe NAS (e.g., lower amount of morphine needed for NAS treatment, shorter duration of NAS treatment, and shorter infant hospital stays) in infants exposed to buprenorphine compared to methadone.⁷

However, methadone has a longer history of use in pregnancy. It may be preferred in certain clinical situations, for instance, for individuals who have not been successful with buprenorphine treatment in the past. Decisions about which medication is most appropriate should be made in consultation with a qualified physician, considering individual patient needs and history. Due to metabolic changes during pregnancy, doses of both methadone and buprenorphine may need to be adjusted (often increased or split) during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester, to maintain effectiveness.¹⁶

Pregnant patients receiving medications for OUD also benefit from comprehensive care that includes counseling,, psychoeducational, behavioral therapy, and other recovery supports.¹¹

Does AAC Treat Pregnant Women for Substance Use?

Yes, American Addiction Centers (AAC) treats pregnant women who are struggling with OUD. We are a leading provider of OUD treatment in the U.S., with facilities located across the nation.

Our rehabs offer various levels of care including:¹⁷

• Medical detox, which can help you safely undergo opioid withdrawal with expert medical supervision, medication, and support.
• Inpatient rehab, where you’ll live onsite at our rehab and receive round-the-clock attention and support, while benefiting from different types of therapy, mentorship, and peer support.
• Outpatient treatment, where you can live at home and visit rehab on a regular treatment schedule. There are varying levels of outpatient care, including partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), and standard outpatient care.

Ways to Get in Contact With Us

Seeking treatment for OUD is an important step for your health and the health and well-being of your unborn baby. Using Suboxone under the guidance and supervision of a healthcare practitioner can help prevent negative outcomes associated with untreated opioid use during pregnancy and help you start the path to recovery.^{1 abstract}

Please call us at to connect with a knowledgeable and compassionate admissions navigator, any time of day or night, to learn about your treatment options. We can help you learn more about the admissions process, answer any questions you may have about rehab, and easily verify your insurance.