Drugs >  Buprenorphine and Naloxone
Buprenorphine and Naloxone
Pronunciation
Brand Names
Therapeutic Categories
What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?
Reasons not to take this medicine
What is this medicine used for?
How does it work?
How is it best taken?
What do I do if I miss a dose?
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
What are the common side effects of this medicine?
What should I monitor?
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
How should I store this medicine?
General statements

Pronunciation
(byoo pre NOR feen & nal OKS one)

Brand Names
Suboxone®

Therapeutic Categories
Analgesic, Narcotic

What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?

Suboxone® is only used to treat drug addiction. Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) or other medicines, and natural products that slow your actions and reactions. These include sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, antihistamines, and pain medicine. Serious reactions may occur.


Reasons not to take this medicine
  • Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 16 years of age.
  • If you have an allergy to buprenorphine, naloxone, or any other part of this medicine.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • If you are breast-feeding.

  • What is this medicine used for?
  • This medicine is used to treat drug addiction.

  • How does it work?
  • Buprenorphine binds to areas in the brain to decrease cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
  • Naloxone prevents abuse of this medicine.

  • How is it best taken?
  • Place sublingual tablet on tongue and let dissolve.

  • What do I do if I miss a dose?
  • Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
  • Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.

  • What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
  • Wear disease medical alert identification.
  • Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
  • This medicine may be habit-forming with long-term use.
  • You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities until you see how this medicine affects you.
  • If you have gallbladder disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have lung disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have mental illness, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have prostate disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have thyroid disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.

  • What are the common side effects of this medicine?
  • Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects you.
  • Feeling dizzy. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing.
  • Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
  • Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
  • Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.

  • What should I monitor?
  • Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
  • Follow up with healthcare provider.

  • Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
  • If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center immediately or dial 911.
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Severe dizziness or passing out.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Excessive perspiration.
  • Fast heartbeat.
  • Significant change in thinking clearly and logically.
  • Severe nausea or vomiting.
  • Severe constipation.
  • Severe diarrhea.
  • Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.
  • Feeling extremely tired or weak.
  • Any rash.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

  • How should I store this medicine?
  • Store at room temperature.
  • Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

  • General statements
  • Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

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