What Are The Side Effects Of Zubsolv?

Zubsolv, a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone, is an opioid drug. When taking opioids there are always certain precautionary measures to take and side effects to be fully aware of.

There are multiple physical, mental, and emotional side effects of Zubsolv.

Those who use Zubsolv will not have all of these side effects, but many of the side effects listed below are possible.

Learn more about the benefits of taking Zubsolv for opioid withdrawal

Physical Side Effects Of Zubsolv

Zubsolv can cause a range of mild to severe side effects. Some of these may be short-term effects, and others are long-term side effects.

Many of the side effects of Zubsolv are common, while others are rare to experience.

The most common side effects of Zubsolv include:

• headache
• pain
• increased sweating
• constipation

Less common physical side effects of Zubsolv are:

• decreased lung function
• abscess, a swollen area of the body filled with pus
• watery eyes
• sore throat
• runny nose
• indigestion
• fever
• flu-like symptoms
• chills
• cough
• diarrhea

Very rare physical side effects of Zubsolv can include:

• adrenal gland problems (when the body makes too much or not enough of the hormone cortisol)
• anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction
• liver failure or abnormal liver function
• hepatitis
• jaundice, yellow eyes or skin

Zubsolv can cause life-threatening respiratory depression.

If you notice any of the following symptoms, seek emergency help right away:

• difficulty breathing, or slowed breathing
• dizziness
• feeling faint

Most of the physical side effects are temporary and mild, but if symptoms persist and become extremely uncomfortable, contact your doctor.

Effects On Weight

It is possible to gain weight while using Zubsolv, but it’s not clear whether weight gain is specifically caused by the medication.

In a study conducted in 2018, patients who took a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone for opioid treatment gained on average a little over 10 pounds.

Weight gain may be caused by swelling of the extremities, usually the legs and hands. This swelling can cause rapid weight gain because of the excess fluids in the body.

Some patients may also experience weight loss as a result of Zubsolv-induced effects on the liver. One of the symptoms of liver dysfunction is weight loss.

Read more about how Zubsolv affects weight

Troubles Sleeping

Zubsolv has been known to produce many issues related to sleep. For some, Zubsolv produces drowsiness and makes them feel very tired.

Others may experience trouble falling asleep, or insomnia. This can be due to the mental and emotional turmoil of withdrawal, or it can be a result of the physical side effects of Zubsolv.

For those who have severe nausea and stomach issues when taking Zubsolv, it can be very difficult to fall asleep.

Zubsolv may also cause interrupted breathing during sleep, which is known as sleep apnea. This can cause multiple awakenings throughout the night, making it difficult to stay asleep.

Nausea Or Stomach Issues

One of the most common side effects of Zubsolv is nausea, vomiting, and stomach problems. For the most part, nausea is fairly common and nothing to be concerned about.

You may also experience nausea in the initial stages of treatment while withdrawing from opioids.

Nausea can be a sign of liver damage, so it’s important to be on the lookout for other co-occurring side effects if you’re experiencing nausea.

Other signs of liver problems include:

• jaundice
• dark urine
• loss of appetite
• pain, or tenderness on the right side of your stomach
• light-colored stools

Effects On Your Hair

The combination of buprenorphine and naloxone can cause hair loss in some individuals. This is not a common side effect, but it is possible.

In most cases, hair loss is a result of long-term use of the drug combination, but it can occur after a short period of use.

Hair loss may also be a result of emotional factors, such as the stress of going through addiction recovery and quitting opioids.

Read more about hair loss as a result of taking Zubsolv

Feelings Of Anxiety

Zubsolv is not known to cause feelings of anxiety.

If this is a new medication and a person is worried about using Zubsolv or some other outside factor related to opioid withdrawal, anxiety can occur. But it’s likely not caused by Zubsolv.

A person may feel anxiety in the early stages of medication use because their body is still going through the symptoms of opioid withdrawal.

Additionally, abusing the medication by injecting it can cause sudden and severe withdrawal, and one of the side effects is anxiety.

Someone may also experience heightened feelings of anxiety if they suddenly cease taking the medication, which can cause withdrawal.

Effects On Blood Pressure

One of the potential side effects of Zubsolv is a decrease in blood pressure. This is a serious side effect and requires immediate medical attention.

If you feel dizzy after standing up quickly, you may have a severe drop in blood pressure. This can be caused by a serious allergic reaction to the medication.

Zubsolv may also cause adrenal insufficiency, which can cause fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and low blood pressure.

If you have an existing condition that causes low blood pressure, such as orthostatic hypotension, taking Zubsolv may be extremely dangerous.

Constipation

Any opioid drug can cause constipation. Using Zubsolv daily may lead to blockages and extreme discomfort.

To help with the side effect of constipation, it’s recommended that patients start using a laxative as soon as Zubsolv treatment begins.

It’s also best to drink plenty of water, exercise, and eat fiber-rich foods when using Zubsolv to help the body to process foods and stay hydrated.

Mental Side Effects Of Zubsolv

When taking Zubsolv, you might have a few side effects that influence your mental health.

Some of the mental side effects of Zubsolv include:

• depression
• sexual dysfunction
• impaired driving abilities
• addiction to Zubsolv or another substance

Zubsolv may worsen existing mental issues, such as depression or hallucinations. Speak with your doctor before taking Zubsolv if you have any existing mental health concerns.

Emotional Side Effects of Zubsolv

You may also experience emotional side effects when taking Zubsolv for opioid dependence.

A few of the emotional effects of Zubsolv are:

• loss of appetite
• trouble sleeping
• mood swings

If any of these symptoms or other emotional effects of Zubsolv do not go away or worsen with time, contact your doctor. A dose adjustment may be necessary in some cases.

Get Zubsolv Treatment Today

Medications like Zubsolv are best used when integrated into a larger addiction treatment program.

Combining methods of medical and behavioral therapies can provide a more stable framework for recovery from an opioid use disorder.

If you or a loved one would like to learn more about how Zubsolv can be an effective treatment method, contact our helpline today.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff