Buprenorphine / naloxone (Suboxone)

What is Suboxone?

Suboxone contains a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is an opioid medication, sometimes called a narcotic. Naloxone blocks the effects of opioid medication, including pain relief or feelings of well-being that can lead to opioid abuse.

Suboxone is used to treat narcotic (opiate) addiction.

Suboxone is not for use as a pain medication.

Possible Suboxone side effects may include:

• dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision, feeling drunk, trouble concentrating;
• withdrawal symptoms;
• tongue pain, redness or numbness inside your mouth;
• nausea, vomiting, constipation;
• headache, back pain;
• fast or pounding heartbeats, increased sweating; or
• sleep problems (insomnia).

What other drugs will affect Suboxone?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Narcotic (opioid) medication can interact with many other drugs and cause dangerous side effects or death. Be sure your doctor knows if you also use:

• other narcotic medications - opioid pain medicine or prescription cough medicine;
• a sedative like Valium - diazepam, alprazolam, lorazepam, Ativan, Klonopin, Restoril, Tranxene, Versed, Xanax, and others; or
• drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing - a sleeping pill, muscle relaxer, tranquilizer, antidepressant, or antipsychotic medicine.