What Are The Long-Term Side Effects of Suboxone?

Suboxone is a prescription medication that is approved by the FDA to treat opioid dependence. It comes in the form of a sublingual film that dissolves under the tongue and is taken on a daily basis. Suboxone contains two active ingredients: buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine helps stop drug cravings and reduce withdrawal symptoms, while naloxone prevents misuse of the medication. When taken as prescribed and combined with a comprehensive addiction treatment program, Suboxone can reduce the risk of relapse in people who were addicted to opioids.

Unfortunately, no medication is 100% risk-free, especially when taken in the long term. Suboxone can be used on a short and long-term basis, however, there are a few significant long-term risks of Suboxone. Learning about these risks can help you decide whether or not Suboxone treatment is right for you.

Short-Term Side Effects of Suboxone

Suboxone may cause mild to severe side effects. Most of the more common side effects are relatively mild and include:[1]

• Headache
• Body aches
• Abdominal cramps
• Anxiety
• Increased heart rate
• Insomnia
• Sweating
• Depression
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Back pain
• Burning tongue
• Redness in the mouth

These side effects usually go away within a couple of days or weeks. If you end up taking Suboxone and these side effects persist,  your doctor or pharmacist may change your treatment regimen.

Other serious side effects are very rare. These include:

• Allergic reaction
• Breathing problems
• Coma
• Hormone problems
• Abuse and dependence
• Withdrawal symptoms

If you take Suboxone and experience any of these side effects, you should call your doctor immediately or dial 911 if you think you are having an emergency.

Consequences of Taking Suboxone Long-Term

Suboxone is generally only used as long as it needs to be. Most people will be weaned off of the medication after a few months. In certain circumstances, long-term maintenance using Suboxone is used to treat opioid dependence. However, there are significant risks associated with long-term Suboxone use. The three most concerning health consequences include physical dependence, hormonal problems, and liver damage.

Physical Dependence

Buprenorphine is one of the two medications in Suboxone. It is a partial opioid agonist that reduces physical withdrawal symptoms and psychological cravings. However, the medication has opioid properties that can be physically addictive. Anyone who takes Suboxone for a long time will develop a physical dependence on the medication. Similarly, stopping the medication cold turkey will result in opioid withdrawal symptoms.[2]

If you participate in a Suboxone treatment program, you should never stop taking the medication without first speaking with your doctor. Your doctor can give you a tapering schedule and dose to follow that slowly and safely weans your body off of buprenorphine.

Get The Care You Need and Deserve

Woburn Addiction Treatment is a leader in the addiction treatment field, with proven success in facilitating long-term recovery. Our team of top clinical & medical experts specializes in treating addiction coupled with mental illness, ensuring that each person receives individualized care. Call us – we’re available 24/day, 7 days/week.

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Hormone Problems

Some people who take opioid medications long-term, including buprenorphine, develop reduced cortisol levels. Cortisol is a steroid hormone that regulates several bodily functions ranging from metabolism to immune response. Chronically reduced cortisol levels lead to a condition called adrenal insufficiency.[3]

Symptoms of adrenal insufficiency include:

• Depression
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Low blood pressure
• Dizziness

Some researchers believe secondary adrenal insufficiency caused by opioid replacement therapy is more common than we currently realize.[3]

Liver Damage

Some studies have suggested that long-term Suboxone use can lead to increased liver enzymes. Increased liver enzymes can cause inflammation or damage to the liver. However, it’s important to note that liver damage was more likely in patients who were living with Hepatitis C (HCV.) HCV causes increased liver enzymes, which is thought to be the sole cause of liver damage in most affected patients. Liver damage is also more likely in patients who misuse and inject Suboxone.[4,5]

Although extremely rare, your doctor may conduct tests to check and monitor your liver function and enzyme levels if you are at high risk for liver disease. Symptoms of liver damage may include:

• Stomach pain
• Fatigue
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes)

Your doctor will ask you to stop taking Suboxone if you show signs of liver damage.

Find the Support You Need

Even though there are long-term risks associated with Suboxone, it is a highly effective treatment medication when used correctly. Here at Woburn Addiction Treatment, we can help you decide whether or not opioid rehab with Suboxone is right for you. Our team of renowned doctors, nurses, and addiction specialists know how to use the medication correctly to help you recover from addiction–and we monitor you on a regular basis to prevent adverse side effects. With our opioid treatment program, all of your needs will be met. If you or a loved one are struggling with opioid addiction, give us a call today.

References:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5855417/
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8632309/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4496564/
4. https://pcssnow.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/PCSS-MATGuidanceMonitoringLiverFunctionTests-and-HepatitisInBupPatients.Saxon_.pdf
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548871/

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