Suboxone is often promoted as a helpful tool for people recovering from opioid addiction. And yes, when used correctly and under medical supervision, it can help manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings. But just because something helps in one area doesn’t mean it doesn’t cause problems in another. Suboxone is far from harmless. In fact, over time, it can cause severe physical, emotional, and mental damage, and many people taking it are not fully aware of all the risks.
Suboxone contains two active ingredients: buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, which means it only partly activates the opioid receptors in your brain.This helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Naloxone, on the other hand, is an opioid antagonist. It blocks opioid effects and discourages misuse. On paper, it appears to be a safe and effective treatment, but in real life, we’ve seen the opposite occur.
Some of the most severe effects of Suboxone use come from long-term exposure, primarily through its sublingual form, where the drug dissolves under the tongue. The side effects have become so common that lawsuits have been filed against the drug’s manufacturer. Attorneys are handling Suboxone dental injury cases, which is why this issue has become so widespread and severe.
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Side Effects of Suboxone Use
These are some of the damages that result from the use of Suboxone:
Short-Term Physical Effects
These short-term side effects might not all show up at once, but when they do, they can impact your ability to work, sleep, and live comfortably.
Common short-term side effects include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation
- Headaches
- Muscle aches
- Light-headedness or dizziness
- Sweating or feeling too hot
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Swollen legs
- Painful tongue or numbness in the mouth
- Urinary retention
Respiratory Depression
One of the most dangerous short-term physical effects is respiratory depression. This happens when your breathing becomes slow and shallow. If it gets too severe, it can reduce oxygen levels in your body to dangerous levels, potentially becoming life-threatening.
This can happen in up to 10% of users. If someone takes too much Suboxone or misuses it, the chances of this side effect increase significantly.
Mental and Emotional Side Effects
Suboxone can also affect how you think and feel. Many people don’t expect this, but it’s a real part of what the drug can do. Some users experience depression, anxiety, or nervousness while taking it.
These can grow into more serious mental health struggles that interfere with everyday life. And if those feelings are ignored, they can make someone more likely to relapse.
Suboxone is supposed to be a recovery aid, but it can sometimes feel like another barrier to wellness when it starts affecting your mood and thinking.
Long-Term Physical Damage
These are some of the more serious long-term issues that can develop:
- Chronic constipation that doesn’t respond well to treatment
- Stomach bleeding
- Sleep-related breathing problems like sleep apnea
- Cardiovascular risks like heart failure or a heart attack
- Hormonal disruptions leading to infertility or a low sex drive
- Increased pain sensitivity (called hyperalgesia)
- Brain and nerve toxicity (neurotoxicity)
- Weak bones and higher fracture risk
- Immune system weakening
- Major weight loss and poor hygiene
- Risk of blood infections, especially with injection use
Dental decay and oral infections
One of the most significant hidden risks is damage to your mouth and teeth. The sublingual delivery method, which is where the film or tablet dissolves under your tongue, exposes your teeth to long-term acid and chemical exposure.
Over time, this can cause your teeth to rot, loosen, or fall out altogether. For many people, this side effect wasn’t even mentioned before they started using the drug.
Long-Term Behavioral Damage
As Suboxone use continues, the drug can start to take over a person’s ability to live normally. It might begin as a helpful medication, but over time, it can end up being just another thing they rely on and sometimes abuse. The consequences can extend into the following:
- Difficulty keeping a job
- Trouble maintaining relationships
- Legal problems
- Losing custody of children
- Ongoing drug cravings
- Getting involved with other substances
- Increasing mental health struggles
- Total disconnection from regular life activities
Precipitated Withdrawal
One side effect that’s specific to Suboxone is something called precipitated withdrawal. This happens when Suboxone kicks other opioids off their receptors in your brain too quickly.
Since buprenorphine is weaker than most full opioids, this causes a sudden and intense withdrawal. It can feel like you’ve jumped headfirst into detox with no preparation. This reaction is not only painful but can be dangerous if not handled correctly.
Dependency and Withdrawal
Even though Suboxone is meant to help fight addiction, it’s still an opioid-based drug. This means it can cause dependency, mainly when used for months or years.
Coming off Suboxone isn’t always easy, either. If you try to stop cold turkey or taper off too quickly, withdrawal symptoms can hit hard. These might include:
- Headaches
- Muscle and joint pain
- Insomnia
- Jitteriness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Intense cravings
- Depression and anxiety
Unfortunately, these symptoms can be just as severe as the ones you were trying to avoid in the first place.
