Why is suboxone taken under the tongue

The naloxone portion, however, is not absorbed and remains in the mouth, either to be swallowed or spit out. Naloxone is a very powerful opioid antagonist, meaning it once taken, it will cause an abrupt and powerful withdrawal syndrome, characterized by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle cramps, etc. However, for this to take place, the naloxone must enter the blood stream, usually by injection. Taken orally, as is the case with Suboxone, the naloxone has no action.

If swallowed, the medication does not get absorbed into the blood stream via the stomach or intestines. This is the reason the manufacturers combined naloxone with buprenorphine. Quite simply, it is to prevent people from crushing the tablets and injecting them.

What this means is that once the molecule is attached to a receptor site on the brain, it does not activate or light up that receptor to the same extent most other opioids do, including methadone. You can think of it like a light switch.

It is often used in emergency situations, but it has other uses as well What is Buprenorphine? Buprenorphine is used in medication-assisted treatment to treat dependence on opioids including heroin and prescription painkillers like hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, and fentanyl. Contact your doctor if you experience any negative side effects associated with Suboxone. Some of those side effects can include:. Additionally, never discontinue Suboxone without first talking to your doctor.

Stopping treatment immediately can cause adverse effects and potentially lead to symptoms of opioid withdrawal, such as:. Medication Information Suboxone Film is intended for administration under the tongue or inside the cheek and is available in various dosage strengths.

Suboxone Film contains the ingredients buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is known as a partial agonist. It can attach to the same receptors as other opioids and reduce their effects by blocking them from the same receptors. If a person who is dependent on a full opioid agonist attempts to inject Suboxone Film, the naloxone is likely to cause withdrawal signs and symptoms.

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This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. If symptoms become worse, patients should contact their prescribing clinician, as they may have precipitated withdrawal. Later that day, patients should take another 4 mg or the rest of the film they previously cut into pieces. The next day, patients can start taking their prescribed dose.

Below is more detailed information for prospective patients on how to take sublingual films:. Always take your Suboxone film exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Fold along the dotted line and tear downward at the slit to open the film package.

You can also use scissors to cut along the arrow if you prefer. Before taking Suboxone, it's a good idea to drink some water to moisten your mouth.

This will help the film dissolve more easily. Ensure that your hands are dry, and hold the Suboxone film between two fingers by the outside edges. Place one film at a time under your tongue, close to the base.

Lean your head slightly forward, and let the film dissolve completely. Suboxone is absorbed into the bloodstream through the veins under the tongue. Develop a daily routine so that it's easier to remember when to take Suboxone.