Suboxone Side Effects: What Are They & Is It Worth It?
Suboxone Side Effects
Common side effects of Suboxone include headache, diarrhea, constipation, and nausea. In addition, some people become attached to the relaxation Suboxone can cause, and that can lead to addiction and/or drug relapse.
Suboxone treatment can include a number of side effects, the most severe of which are caused by Suboxone’s status as a partial opioid agonist. According to the drug manufacturer, common side effects of Suboxone can include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- Sweating
- Numb mouth
- Constipation
- Painful tongue
- Dizziness and fainting
- Problems with concentration
- Irregular heartbeat
- Insomnia
- Blurry vision
- Back pain
- Drowsiness
Because Suboxone is a partial opioid agonist, it can cause respiratory depression as opioids can. Respiratory depression is a condition in which breathing becomes too shallow or slow, causing a lack of oxygen in the body. Respiratory depression is perhaps the most severe of the side effects of Suboxone. It is also a fairly common effect of the drug, occurring in 1-10 percent of patients, according to Drugs.com. If users experience this side effect, they should seek medical help immediately. Misuse or overdose of Suboxone can increase the chances for severe respiratory depression.
Users of Suboxone should keep in contact with their treatment professional while they are on this medication.
Are There Behavioral & Mental Health Side Effects of Suboxone?
Other common side effects of the drug are incidences of:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Nervousness
These effects should be monitored as they can potentially lead to opioid relapse.
Alternatives to Suboxone Use in MAT
Suboxone has few alternatives in the way of medication-assisted treatment, with methadone being the primary competitor. Methadone is a full opioid agonist, meaning it has a greater potential for abuse than Suboxone. Both medications block the effect of other opioids by filling the opioid receptors in the brain, and both medications will assist in the treatment of opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Methadone, however, must be administered in a doctor’s office or via a specialized methadone clinic, making it harder on some individuals to opt for this regular commitment. Buprenorphine-based medications, like Suboxone, give users more flexibility.
Some holistic treatment programs shy away from any medication assistance.
In the majority of instances, medications may be employed during opiate detox.
Find out if Suboxone treatment and rehab may be covered by insurance.