The effects of opioid and heroin in America is growing at an alarming rate. Since these drugs are highly addictive nature, many people find quitting hard. As the number of addicts doubles each year, the situation is becoming a public health concern. This has made the medics to turn their focus to suboxone drugs, as a remedy to the situation. Suboxone is an FDA-proven drug used to treat addiction to opioids. The drug contains a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone elements. Even though these drugs are effective in treating drug addiction, they do have side effects that need to be treated properly. So, before we discuss the suboxone side effects in detail, let’s first understand how it works.
How Does Suboxone Work?
Suboxone acts like opioid drugs, but it is less addictive. Buprenorphine attaches to opiate receptors in the brain and body. When that happens, other opioids cannot attach to the receptors hence bringing down the withdrawal effects. Additionally, naloxone blocks some of the buprenorphine’s effects in case a patient tries to use other opioids. With both drugs working together, patients can detox and then maintain sobriety for a long time without any problem.
What Are the Side Effects and risks Of Suboxone?
Some of the notable side effects of suboxone include:
Irregular Heartbeat
Increased heart beat and skips are the most severe side effects of suboxone. The main reason for this side effect is presence of buprenorphine compound, which does have an effect on heart activity. In case of overdose, the effect may be even worse. Therefore, if you feel an irregular heartbeat, make sure you contact your medic for the best course of action.
Shallow Breathing
Suboxone is an opioid drug, and therefore shallow breathing is always evident in some cases. When one stop using opioids abruptly, they may develop respiratory depression, which manifests in shallow breathing.
Nausea
Because it is similar to most narcotic drugs, suboxone can sometimes cause nausea. While vomiting can be a hard experience, it does not affect suboxone efficacy. However, if vomiting becomes severe, you can stop using the drug and consult your doctor.
Loose Skin and Other Skin Problems
Skin problems are very common among opioid users. When you stop using or taking opioids for a few days, it may have an effect on the skin. Some of the problems you may experience include acne, rashes, and cracked skin. These side effects are temporary when you first start using this drug. However, they can go away altogether as your body readjusts to new condition
Constipation
Patients who take a lot of opioids experience constipation more often. Since suboxone contains buprenorphine that affects bowel movements, you will experience some constipation.
Dry Mouth
Dry mouth is another suboxone side effect patients are likely to experience when they first start using the drug. But since this is a short-term side effect, it goes away once you stop taking the drug.
Raised Blood Pressure
The other notable side effect of suboxone is raised blood pressure. This is a risky side effect as it can lead to stroke and heart attack if not attended to. For this reason, people suffering from hypertension or pre-existing conditions, should first consult their physician before taking suboxone.
Loss of Appetite
As an opioid drug, suboxone can cause appetite suppression. But that’s a small enough price to pay to get rid of the withdrawal symptoms. Some patients may still find themselves hungry or not feeling full while they are taking the drug, though the effect wears off quickly.
How To Treat Suboxone Side Effects?
Since Suboxone is an FDA-approved drug, it is not recommended to take it without your doctor’s knowledge. For mild side effects such as itching, you can use ice to cool off the skin. Also, you can use a skin moisturizer or take a warm shower or mouthwash to address dry mouth and other related side effects. However, if the side effects become a bother, you should check with your doctor.
Final Words
Suboxone is a drug that will help you achieve sobriety and make your life better. But it also has some side effects. It is only when you get the dosage right that you can comfortably use this drug without the fear of harmful side effects. Nevertheless, if you experience any of the symptoms on this list, do not hesitate to contact us today at 833-846-5669.