Why Trust Recovery Guide Subutex is a brand name for buprenorphine, a prescription medication used to treat opioid addiction as part of medication-assisted treatment (MAT). The drug comes as a sublingual tablet, which means it’s designed to be placed under the tongue where it dissolves and is absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the mucous membranes. This specific method of administration is essential for the medication to work properly and effectively treat opioid withdrawal symptoms and dependence.
Swallowing Subutex tablets whole instead of letting them dissolve under the tongue can significantly reduce the medication’s effectiveness or prevent it from working at all. This is because buprenorphine has poor oral bioavailability, meaning that when it passes through the digestive system and liver, most of the drug is broken down before it can reach the bloodstream and brain where it’s needed.
Learn more about the use of Suboxone in medication-assisted treatment
Can You Swallow Subutex Pills?
It’s not recommended that people who are taking Subutex swallow their dose. This is not how it’s intended to be taken. This reduces its bioavailability and will cause the drug not to work. People who are taking Subutex should allow the drug to dissolve completely after placing it under the tongue to ensure it absorbs properly.
It can take Subutex about five to 10 minutes to dissolve completely after it’s placed under the tongue. Swallowing it before this could affect its absorption and lead to withdrawal. Do not eat, drink, or talk until the Subutex tablet, or tablets if taking multiple, have fully dissolved.
Side Effects Of Swallowing Subutex
Swallowing Subutex isn’t dangerous, but it will cause the drug not to work. Because it’s prescribed for opioid dependence, this could lead to opiate withdrawal symptoms.
Potential side effects of swallowing Subutex might include:
- nausea
- muscle and bone pain
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- headache
- insomnia
- runny nose
- teary eyes
If you experience opioid withdrawal symptoms after swallowing Subutex, this may be a sign that the drug did not absorb properly, or that you’re taking too low a dose for it to be effective.
Read more about the side effects of Subutex
What To Do If You Swallow Subutex
If you’ve swallowed Subutex, the first thing to do is to contact your doctor. Your doctor can provide guidance on what to do, based on details pertaining to your specific situation. Do not take a second dose, or a reduced dose, without first consulting your healthcare provider.
How Subutex Differs From Suboxone
Subutex and Suboxone are both medications used to treat opioid addiction, but they have important differences. Subutex contains only buprenorphine, while Suboxone contains both buprenorphine and naloxone. The naloxone in Suboxone discourages misuse, if someone tries to inject or snort it, the naloxone causes immediate withdrawal symptoms, whereas it remains inactive when taken properly under the tongue.
Subutex is typically prescribed during early stages of treatment, especially for pregnant women or people who have negative reactions to naloxone. Suboxone is more commonly used for maintenance treatment after initial stabilization. Both medications must be taken sublingually to work properly, and swallowing either reduces effectiveness. The choice between them depends on individual circumstances, treatment stage, and doctor recommendation.
Proper Storage And Handling Of Subutex
Proper storage and handling of Subutex is important for safety and effectiveness. Store tablets in their original packaging at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Keep medication in a secure location out of reach of children, pets, and anyone who might misuse it. Buprenorphine can be dangerous or fatal to people who are not opioid-tolerant, especially children.
Never share your Subutex prescription with others, even those with opioid addiction. Sharing prescription medications is illegal and dangerous. Handle tablets with clean, dry hands. If a tablet becomes contaminated, contact your pharmacy for guidance. Dispose of unused or expired Subutex by flushing it down the toilet or using a drug take-back program. Never throw it in the trash where others could find it.
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- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — SUBUTEX (buprenorphine sublingual tablets)
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2018/020732s018lbl.pdf - U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus — Buprenorphine Sublingual and Buccal (opioid dependence)
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a605002.html