Why Trust Recovery Guide Subutex, also known as buprenorphine, is a medication used to treat opioid use disorder. Like many medications, it comes with side effects, and one worth knowing about is its potential to lower blood pressure. This happens because Subutex works on the central nervous system, which controls functions like blood pressure, breathing, and energy levels.
Not everyone who takes Subutex will experience a drop in blood pressure, but certain factors can increase the risk. These include adrenal insufficiency, an allergic reaction to the medication, or taking Subutex alongside other substances like alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other opioids.
Learn more about the benefits of taking Subutex for opioid withdrawal
Causes Of Low Blood Pressure While Taking Subutex
Everyone reacts to medications like Subutex differently. Subutex is a central nervous system depressant and opioid-based medication that can affect blood pressure, breathing, and energy.
What can cause low blood pressure while taking Subutex:
- depressed activity in the central nervous system
- adrenal insufficiency (lack of hormone production)
- allergic reaction
- drug overdose
Adrenal Insufficiency From Subutex
Adrenal insufficiency can occur with chronic Subutex use. Common symptoms of this include low blood pressure, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, and loss of appetite. Treatment for adrenal insufficiency while taking Subutex may involve hormone replacement, to make up for the lack of hormones naturally produced by the adrenal glands.
Allergic Reaction To Subutex
Hypotension, or a loss of blood pressure, may be a sign of an allergic reaction to Subutex. If someone develops an allergic reaction to Subutex, switching to an alternative medication for opioid addiction may be recommended.
Low Blood Pressure And Overdose
Low blood pressure can be a sign of a drug overdose. Subutex overdose can occur if combined with other drugs such as alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other opiates. If someone has collapsed, become unresponsive, or is showing other signs of opioid overdose after taking Subutex, call 911 for emergency medical attention.
Learn More About Subutex Treatment
Subutex is commonly prescribed as part of a comprehensive treatment program for opioid dependence and addiction. Although side effects can occur, serious side effects are uncommon.
Treatment services may include:
- counseling
- dual diagnosis treatment
- group therapy
- family therapy
- cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- 12-step recovery groups
Browse our directory or reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for more helpful information about addiction recovery.
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- Johns Hopkins Medicine — Adrenal Insufficiency (Addison’s Disease)
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/underactive-adrenal-glands--addisons-disease - U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — SUBUTEX (buprenorphine sublingual tablets)
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2018/020732s018lbl.pdf