How Do You Properly Take Suboxone?

Suboxone is a prescription medication used in the treatment of opioid use disorder, combining buprenorphine and naloxone to help manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings. When taken as directed by a licensed healthcare provider, it is a safe and effective part of a medication-assisted treatment plan. However, taking Suboxone correctly is essential to getting the most out of the medication and avoiding unnecessary side effects.

Unlike most medications that are simply swallowed, Suboxone is administered in a specific way that directly affects how well it is absorbed by the body. Knowing the proper technique, including how to place the film or tablet and what to avoid before and after taking it, can make a real difference in how effective the medication is.

Learn more about taking Suboxone for opioid addiction

Steps To Taking Suboxone Films And Strips

Suboxone strips and tablets share a similar guide on usage, but there are a few differences to note. Suboxone can either be taken sublingually (under the tongue) or buccally (in the cheek). Suboxone tablets are taken sublingually, and films can be used either way.

How To Properly Take Suboxone Strips

Suboxone strips are small, thin rectangular strips of Suboxone. Make sure you pick up the Suboxone strip with a clean, dry finger to avoid it dissolving outside of the mouth.

Follow these steps when using Suboxone strips:

• Pick up one film at the outer edges of the film.
• Place one strip under the tongue or in either cheek.
• If a second dose has been prescribed by your doctor, place another strip under the tongue on the opposite side and avoid overlap. For buccal administration, place the second strip on the inside of the other cheek.
• Press the film into the cheek and hold.
• Allow the strip to fully dissolve. This should take about five to 10 minutes.
• If a third strip is needed, wait for the first two to dissolve, and then repeat the process.

Read more about how to properly administer Suboxone strips

How To Properly Take Suboxone Tablets

Suboxone tablets look similar to other tablet medications. Some people prefer this form of Suboxone because it blends in more with other types of medications, bringing less attention to the use of Suboxone for opioid treatment.

Follow these steps when using Suboxone tablets:

• Place one tablet under the tongue.
• If your doctor has directed you to take two at once, place both tablets under the tongue at the same time. Try to place them on opposite sides of the tongue and avoid overlap.
• Hold the tablet in place and do not move it.
• Allow the tablet to dissolve completely for five to 10 minutes.
• If a third tablet is needed, wait for the first two to dissolve, and then repeat the process.

It’s best to drink water or some other drink before using tablets or strips because the water will provide more moisture and allow the medication to dissolve quicker. You may also choose to rinse your mouth with water or wet the inside of your cheek with your tongue.

Tips For Proper Usage Of Suboxone

The manufacturers of Suboxone designed it to work when it’s handled correctly. If it’s taken incorrectly, the medicine won’t work to stop the symptoms of opioid withdrawal.

Do Not Eat Or Drink While Using Suboxone

Avoid eating and drinking while using Suboxone. The medication needs to completely dissolve into the cheek or under the tongue in order to be effective. If it’s mixed with food or drinks while it’s already in the process of dissolving, the medication will get swallowed and it won’t produce the desired effects.

Do Not Smoke, Snort, Or Inject Suboxone

Smoking, snorting, or injecting Suboxone can be very dangerous. The naloxone in Suboxone works to block the harmful effects of opioids, and buprenorphine reduces the effects of opioid withdrawal symptoms and cravings. However, if the medication is crushed, dissolved into a solution, or changed in some other way, this will activate the naloxone and render the buprenorphine ineffective.

This will cause a sudden and intense period of withdrawal.

Injecting Suboxone presents its own unique dangers, such as:

• unresponsiveness
• injection-site infections
• cellulitis
• sepsis
• cardiorespiratory failure
• overdose
• death

Read more about snorting Suboxone

When Is The Right Time To Take Suboxone?

In order to properly take Suboxone, it’s important to take it within the correct time frame. Wait to start taking Suboxone until you’ve experienced mild to moderate symptoms of opioid withdrawal. Taking Suboxone too early can result in precipitated withdrawal. Precipitated withdrawal happens when there are other opioids already in the system before taking Suboxone.

Taking it early can result in worsened symptoms of withdrawal, including nausea, sweating, and increased heart rate.

If I Still Have Withdrawal Symptoms Can I Take Another Dose?

Do not take more Suboxone than prescribed without the knowledge and direction of your doctor. It is acceptable to take multiple doses of Suboxone (depending on the strength of the dose), but don’t take another dose unless your doctor has approved it.

Find Suboxone Treatment For An Opioid Addiction

There are a range of addiction recovery programs for people with opioid use disorders. Treatment options for opioid use disorder vary depending on the individual’s needs and the severity of their addiction. Many programs incorporate Suboxone as part of a medication-assisted treatment plan alongside behavioral therapy, counseling, and peer support services. Some individuals may benefit from an residential program, while others may find that an intensive outpatient or standard outpatient program better fits their lifestyle.

Finding the right program starts with reaching out to a healthcare provider or addiction specialist who can recommend the most appropriate level of care. Many rehab facilities across the country are licensed to prescribe and monitor Suboxone as part of their treatment programs, and most accept health insurance or offer financial assistance for those who need it.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff