Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat opioid dependence. This condition is now called opioid use disorder. Suboxone is typically prescribed for long-term treatment.

Here are some fast facts about Suboxone:

  • Active ingredients: buprenorphine and naloxone
  • Drug class: partial opioid agonistand opioid antagonist
  • Drug form: sublingual film that dissolves when placed under the tongue

As with other drugs, Suboxone can cause side effects (adverse effects). Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects. For a general overview of Suboxone, including details about its uses, see this article.

Suboxone can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. Side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if side effects last longer, bother you, or become severe, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are some of the more common side effects reported by people who took Suboxone in clinical trials:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Suboxone withdrawal symptoms” below.
† For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Mild side effects can occur during Suboxone treatment. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more, you can refer to Suboxone’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Suboxone include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Suboxone and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Suboxone withdrawal symptoms” below.
† For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Suboxone may cause serious side effects. These are rare if Suboxone is taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more, you can refer to Suboxone’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Suboxone, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

  • Respiratory depression (breathing problems). Symptoms can include:
    • slow breathing
    • shortness of breath
    • tiredness
  • Adrenal insufficiency (an adrenal gland problem that leads to certain hormone changes). Symptoms can include:
    • weight loss
    • dizziness
    • weakness or fatigue
    • lightheadedness when standing up
  • Severe dental problems, including:
    • tooth loss
    • broken teeth
    • cavities
    • dental fillings falling out
  • Orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure when changing position, such as sitting up or standing up). Symptoms can include:
    • dizziness
    • weakness
    • confusion
  • Problems with coordination and balance, including an inability to drive, operate machinery, or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
  • Liver damage.*
  • Withdrawal and dependence.†
  • Misuse and addiction.‡
  • Severe allergic reaction.*

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† For more information about this side effect, see “Suboxone withdrawal symptoms” below.
‡ To learn more about this side effect, see the “Suboxone and misuse” section below.

Suboxone can cause physical dependence when used long term. With dependence, your body needs the drug in order to function as usual. Withdrawal symptoms may occur when you stop taking a drug your body is dependent on.

If you stop Suboxone suddenly or don’t take it exactly as prescribed, you may have opioid withdrawal. This is a serious condition in which your body doesn’t function as usual due to not having opioids.

Keep in mind that Suboxone is used to treat opioid dependence. People taking Suboxone will likely be stopping use of opioids. Suboxone acts like a weak opioid in the body to help reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms during treatment.

Because Suboxone acts like a weak opioid, withdrawal from it is usually milder compared to withdrawal from stronger opioids. However, Suboxone can cause “stronger” withdrawal symptoms if it’s taken by someone still taking an opioid that has a stronger or longer-lasting effect in the body. Examples of these opioids include morphine and methadone.

Withdrawal symptoms from Suboxone may include:

  • headache
  • anxiety
  • stomach cramps
  • depression
  • tremors
  • sweating
  • restlessness
  • seizure

Learn more about some of the side effects that Suboxone may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see Suboxone’s prescribing information.

Constipation

Constipation was a common side effect of Suboxone reported in clinical trials. However, it didn’t lead to people stopping treatment.

Some symptoms of constipation include:

  • straining during a bowel movement
  • having lumpy stools
  • passing less than three stools per week

What you can do

Many factors can lead to constipation, including diet, other medications, and low fluid intake. Talk with your doctor if you experience constipation during Suboxone treatment. They can evaluate your symptoms and discuss treatment options.

Your doctor may recommend:

  • drinking more water
  • eating foods high in fiber
  • taking medications such as docusate (Colace) or bisacodyl (Dulcolax)

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Suboxone can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Allergic reactions with Suboxone occurred in clinical trials and after the drug was approved for use.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • hives
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and decide whether you should keep taking Suboxone.

However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Your doctor will likely not prescribe Suboxone again if you have had a severe allergic reaction to it.

Headache

You may experience a headache while taking Suboxone. In clinical trials, headaches were a common side effect of the drug. It’s unlikely that you’ll stop Suboxone treatment due to a headache.

Signs of headache include a dull pain that can occur on either side of your head. Headaches may go away on their own or can be managed with medications.

Keep in mind, there are many different causes of headaches. These include diet, stress, other medications, or lack of sleep.

What you can do

Talk with your doctor if you’re having bothersome headaches or headaches that won’t go away while taking Suboxone. Your doctor will assess your symptoms and may recommend over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen (Motrin IB, Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol).

Nausea

Nausea was a common side effect of Suboxone in clinical trials. It’s unlikely that having nausea will lead to stopping Suboxone treatment. Nausea is typically mild and can go away on its own, depending on its cause.

Symptoms that may occur with nausea include:

  • sweating
  • stomach pain
  • loss of appetite

It’s worth noting there are many possible causes of nausea, such as stress, indigestion, pain, and other medications. It can also be a symptom of adrenal insufficiency, a rare but serious side effect of Suboxone.

What you can do

Talk with your doctor if you experience bothersome nausea while taking Suboxone. Your doctor can evaluate your symptoms. They can also recommend the best way to treat your symptoms. Eating slowly and drinking more water may help you avoid nausea.

Liver damage

Liver damage is a serious side effect that can occur with Suboxone. In clinical trials, liver damage was a rare side effect.

Your body relies on your liver to metabolize (break down and clear) Suboxone. You’re more likely to experience liver damage from Suboxone if you have a history of liver disease.

Liver damage may cause:

What you can do

Your doctor will likely order blood tests to check your liver health before having you start treatment with Suboxone. During treatment, you can help your doctor monitor your liver health by having recommended blood tests, even if you aren’t having symptoms.

Talk with your doctor if you experience any symptoms of liver damage during Suboxone treatment.

Suboxone is used longterm to treat opioid dependence. As with most drugs, long-term use increases the risk of side effects. Additionally, some side effects can have long-term effects, even after treatment with a drug is stopped.

Serious long-term side effects of suboxone include:

  • liver damage*
  • misuse and addiction†
  • adrenal insufficiency (an adrenal gland problem that leads to certain hormone changes)‡
  • severe dental problems‡
  • problems with coordination and balance, including an inability to drive, operate machinery, or perform other possibly dangerous tasks

Long-term side effects are rare if Suboxone is taken exactly as a doctor prescribes. Your doctor and dentist may recommend routine checkups to monitor your risk for long-term side effects with this medication.

If you have questions or concerns about long-term side effects, talk with your doctor.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† To learn more about this side effect, see the “Suboxone and misuse” section below.
‡ For more information about this side effect, see the “Serious side effects” section above.

Suboxone may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Are sexual side effects possible with Suboxone?

Sexual side effects were not reported in the drug’s clinical trials. However, long-term use of opioids can lower certain hormone levels, including testosterone. This can possibly lead to sexual side effects. Keep in mind that Suboxone acts like a weak opioid in the body.

Lowering certain hormone levels can cause sexual changes, including:

Talk with your doctor if you have any concerns about sexual side effects with Suboxone. Your doctor can evaluate your symptoms and overall health for possible causes of sexual dysfunction. They may be able to recommend treatment for your symptoms.

Does Suboxone cause different side effects in males and females?

Differences in Suboxone’s side effects between males and females* weren’t reported in the drug’s clinical trials.

It’s possible that certain hormone levels may be lowered with Suboxone treatment. And this may possibly lead to sexual side effects, which can vary between males and females. For more information, see the question directly above.

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the terms “male” and “female” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.

What are Suboxone’s overdose symptoms?

Suboxone contains buprenorphine, which is an opioid. Similar to other opioid medications, there is a risk of overdose with Suboxone. Taking more Suboxone than your doctor prescribes can lead to overdose.

Symptoms of Suboxone overdose include:

Suboxone overdose can be fatal in extreme cases.

If you’ve taken more Suboxone than prescribed, call your doctor. Or you can call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222. However, if your symptoms are severe or feel life threatening, call 911 or go to the closest emergency room.

Should I expect weight gain with Suboxone treatment?

No, weight gain was not a side effect reported during clinical trials of Suboxone. That said, edema (fluid retention) has been reported since Suboxone was approved for use. With edema, you may feel as if you’re gaining weight.

Talk with your doctor if you feel like you’re retaining fluid while taking Suboxone. Your doctor can recommend treatments to help manage edema.

What are the side effects of Suboxone shots?

Suboxone comes as a sublingual film and sublingual tablets. (Both forms dissolve when placed under your tongue.) Suboxone is not available as an injection.

Some drugs similar to Suboxone are given by subcutaneous injection. One example is Sublocade, which is a buprenorphine injection. To learn more about Sublocade, see this article.

If you have additional questions about how Suboxone is administered, view this article. Or talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before taking Suboxone. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These are considered drug-condition or drug-factor interactions. The conditions and factors to consider include:

Head and brain injuries. Suboxone can increase the pressure of cerebrospinal fluid in your brain. If you have a history of head injury or certain other brain conditions, you may have an increased risk for the condition to worsen.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Suboxone or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Suboxone. Ask your doctor about other medications that may be better options for you.

Liver disease. Suboxone may increase the risk of liver disease. If you have or have had hepatitis, elevated liver enzymes, or liver disease, you may have a higher risk of liver damage with Suboxone.Talk with your doctor about your liver health history before starting Suboxone.

Suboxone and alcohol

If you drink alcohol, you should not drink it during treatment with Suboxone.

Alcohol can cause respiratory depression, which is a serious breathing problem that causes your breathing to become slow and shallow. This is also a side effect of Suboxone. Respiratory depression can lead to coma, seizures, and in some cases, death.

Combining Suboxone and alcohol can significantly increase your risk of respiratory depression and other serious side effects. This can occur even when you take Suboxone as your doctor prescribes.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Suboxone

Read below for information about Suboxone treatment during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Suboxone and pregnancy

It’s not completely understood whether Suboxone is safe to use while pregnant.

It’s known that taking Suboxone during pregnancy can lead to a condition called neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS). With NOWS, a newborn exposed to an opioid during pregnancy may experience symptoms of withdrawal after birth. (Withdrawal symptoms occur when you stop taking a drug your body is dependent on. With dependence, your body needs the drug to function as usual.)

NOWS is likely to occur if you’re taking Suboxone during pregnancy, but it is treatable. A doctor will check for NOWS after delivery and begin treatment right away. This condition can be life threatening to a newborn if left untreated.

Even though there is risk for NOWS, guidelines recommend continuing Suboxone therapy during pregnancy. Keep in mind that the medication is used to treat opioid dependence. The risk of opioid dependence causing harm to a pregnant person and a newborn is greater than the risk of using Suboxone during pregnancy.

Note: It’s important to talk with your doctor if you’re pregnant or can become pregnant. Also, tell your doctor if you become pregnant while taking Suboxone. They can discuss the risks and benefits of different treatments for opioid use disorder during pregnancy.

Suboxone and breastfeeding

It’s not known if it’s safe to breastfeed during Suboxone treatment. Talk with your doctor if you’re breastfeeding during treatment. They’ll discuss the risks and benefits of doing so. If you breastfeed while taking Suboxone, monitor your child for drowsiness and breathing problems.

Similar to other opioids, it’s possible to misuse Suboxone. Misuse means a drug is taken in a way other than how it’s prescribed.

One of the active drugs in Suboxone, called buprenorphine, is an opioid. Long-term use of buprenorphine can cause physical and psychological dependence. (With dependence, your body needs the drug to function as usual.)

Dependence can lead to cravings and drug-seeking behaviors. This may lead to Suboxone misuse. Misuse may lead to addiction to Suboxone. Addiction means a drug continues to be taken, even if doing so is causing harm.

Misusing Suboxone can lead to serious side effects and possibly overdose. Because of this risk, your doctor will likely monitor you during treatment with Suboxone. If you have questions or concerns about misuse with Suboxone, talk with your doctor.

As with many medications, Suboxone can cause side effects. Side effects are typically mild but can be serious. Talk with your doctor if you experience serious side effects while taking Suboxone. For more information about possible side effects, refer to the sections above.

To learn more about Suboxone, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects of Suboxone.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

  • More information about Suboxone. For details about other aspects of Suboxone, refer to this article.
  • Drug comparison. Learn how Suboxone compares with Sublocade and methadone. You can also find out how Suboxone compares with Subutex, Zubsolv, Vivitrol, and others in this article.
  • Interactions. To find out about Suboxone’s interactions, see this article.
  • A look at your condition. For details about opioid dependence, which Suboxone is prescribed to treat, see this article.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.