Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) is a drug prescribed to treat opioid use disorder. Suboxone can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Examples include headache, nausea, and constipation.

Suboxone is prescribed for adults to treat dependence* on opioid medications, which is also called opioid use disorder.

Suboxone comes as a film that dissolves in the mouth. It can be placed under the tongue or between the gums and cheek. Suboxone contains two active ingredients: buprenorphine and naloxone. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects Suboxone can cause. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.

* Dependence is when your body gets used to a drug and needs it for you to function as usual.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during Suboxone treatment. Examples of the drug’s commonly reported side effects include:

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
† Withdrawal symptoms are side effects caused by suddenly stopping a drug.

Mild side effects have been reported with Suboxone. These include:

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop taking Suboxone unless your doctor recommends it.

Suboxone may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Although they’re rare, serious side effects have been reported with Suboxone. These include:

If you develop serious side effects while taking Suboxone, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
† Withdrawal symptoms are side effects caused by suddenly stopping a drug.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Suboxone, visit MedWatch.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Suboxone’s side effects.

Does Suboxone cause long-term side effects?

Yes, it’s possible. Suboxone is usually taken long term to treat opioid use disorder. It’s prescribed together with behavioral therapy that includes social support and counseling.

When taking Suboxone long term, you may have an increased risk of certain side effects, including:

* With misuse, a drug is taken in a way other than how it’s prescribed. Dependence is when your body gets used to a drug and needs it for you to function as usual.

Suboxone is meant to be a long-term treatment for opioid use disorder. Serious side effects, including misuse of Suboxone, are possible with long-term treatment.

Before starting Suboxone, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you. They’ll tell you about the benefits and risks of this drug, including long-term side effect risks. They’ll also monitor you closely throughout your Suboxone treatment.

If you need to stop the drug, your doctor will gradually reduce your dose to help you avoid side effects, such as opioid withdrawal symptoms. (Withdrawal symptoms are side effects caused by suddenly stopping a drug.)

Be sure to take Suboxone exactly as your doctor prescribes to avoid serious side effects, including overdose, which can be fatal.

Can Suboxone cause different side effects in females versus males?

This wasn’t reported in studies of Suboxone. However, opioids may cause changes in certain hormone levels, which may affect females and males* in different ways. Buprenorphine, which is one of the active ingredients in Suboxone, is an opioid.

Studies have shown that taking opioids long term can lower testosterone levels. This can cause different sexual side effects. Examples include:

If you’re concerned about certain side effects of Suboxone, talk with your doctor. They can describe the risks and benefits of the drug, and will monitor you closely if they prescribe it for you.

* In this article, we use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

What are overdose symptoms of Suboxone?

Taking too much Suboxone poses serious risks, including overdose and death. Be sure to follow your doctor’s dosage guidance exactly, and do not take more than they prescribe. Symptoms of overdose include:

If you think you’ve taken too much Suboxone, call your doctor right away. You can also call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, you should immediately call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Note: Ask your doctor or pharmacist about Narcan (naloxone) for treating opioid overdose. If they prescribe Suboxone for you, they can help train a friend or family member to administer Narcan in case you experience a Suboxone overdose.

Learn more about some of the side effects Suboxone may cause.

Constipation

Suboxone may cause constipation. This was a common but mild side effect reported in the drug’s studies. Symptoms may include:

What might help

Tell your doctor if you have problems with constipation, as taking Suboxone may make this problem worse. If you have severe constipation already, your doctor may suggest a different medication than Suboxone.

You may experience constipation when you begin treatment with Suboxone. It’s important to ask your doctor or pharmacist about ways to manage this side effect. For mild or occasional constipation, your doctor may suggest:

If you have severe, bothersome, or ongoing constipation, talk with your doctor about your options.

Headache

Headache was a common but mild side effect reported in Suboxone’s studies. You may experience headache symptoms when you first start taking the drug. This depends on your body’s response to the treatment.

What might help

If you have bothersome or ongoing headaches with Suboxone treatment, call your doctor. They can diagnose the cause and suggest ways to ease your symptoms.

For mild headaches, they may suggest taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as Advil (ibuprofen) or Tylenol (acetaminophen). If you have a severe headache or symptoms that feel life threatening, get medical help immediately.

Nausea

Nausea was a common but mild side effect reported in Suboxone’s studies. But there may be other causes of nausea, including:

* Withdrawal symptoms are side effects caused by suddenly stopping a drug.

What might help

Nausea symptoms from Suboxoneare usually mild and resolve with ongoing treatment. But if your symptoms are bothersome or severe, call your doctor. They can help determine the cause and suggest ways to ease your symptoms.

For mild nausea, they may suggest staying hydrated, eating and drinking slowly, and avoiding triggers such as strong odors. For more severe nausea, they may prescribe medication to treat your symptoms.

Insomnia

Insomnia (trouble sleeping) was a common but mild side effect reported in Suboxone’s studies. There may be other causes for insomnia, such as your medical condition or other medications you’re taking.

What might help

Insomnia is usually a temporary side effect that goes away with continued Suboxone treatment. But if it’s serious and affecting your quality of life, talk with your doctor.

For mild insomnia, they may suggest ways to manage your symptoms, such as:

  • avoiding caffeine close to bedtime
  • avoiding heavy or large meals close to bedtime
  • limiting stimuli near bedtime
  • trying relaxation techniques

Do not take any medications for insomnia, including over-the-counter or herbal products, without talking with your doctor first. These products may interfere with Suboxone or your treatment for opioid use disorder. Your doctor can suggest safe options to help manage your insomnia during your Suboxone treatment.

Orthostatic hypotension

Taking Suboxone can cause orthostatic hypotension, which is a sudden drop in your blood pressure. This is a serious side effect reported in the drug’s studies. Symptoms may include:

What might help

If you already have low blood pressure, tell your doctor. They’ll determine whether Suboxone is safe for you to take and may monitor your blood pressure closely when you start treatment.

Until you become used to the effects of Suboxone, be careful standing up from sitting. Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated, as dehydration (low fluid level) can also cause a drop in blood pressure.

Talk with your doctor if you’re concerned about low blood pressure with Suboxone treatment.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Suboxone can cause an allergic reaction in some people. This side effect was reported in studies of the drug. Symptoms can be mild to serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • swelling under your skin (usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet)
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms. Examples include:

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Suboxone, they’ll decide whether you should continue taking it.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Suboxone, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Suboxone treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking a new drug or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how your symptoms affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Taking notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Suboxone affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Suboxone may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Suboxone is a good treatment option for you. Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting Suboxone. Factors to consider include those described below.

Liver disease. If you have liver problems, Suboxone may not be right for you, as this drug can cause liver damage. If you have certain liver conditions, including hepatitis, you may experience serious side effects from Suboxone, such as opioid withdrawal symptoms. (Withdrawal symptoms are side effects caused by suddenly stopping a drug.)

If you already have liver disease, this drug could make your condition worse. Tell your doctor about your liver health history. They’ll determine whether Suboxone is safe for you to take.

Lung disease. Tell your doctor if you have any lung conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma. Since Suboxone can cause breathing difficulties, having a serious lung condition could increase your risk of breathing problems with this medication.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Suboxone or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe it for you. Ask them about other medications that might be better options.

Head injury. If you’ve had a head injury or other brain-related problems, Suboxone may not be right for you. This drug can increase the pressure in your head, which can be dangerous with a head injury or other brain condition.

Heart problems. Suboxone can cause long QT syndrome (an electrical disturbance in the heart). Tell your doctor if you have congestive heart failure, slow heart rate, a low blood potassium level, or other types of heart disease. They can describe your risks and determine whether Suboxone is safe for you.

Alcohol and Suboxone

Avoid drinking alcohol during Suboxone treatment. Alcohol can increase your risk of serious side effects from central nervous system depression. Symptoms can include:

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about your risks with Suboxone treatment.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding with Suboxone

There is limited information about Suboxone use during pregnancy and its safety.

Taking Suboxone during pregnancy can cause your baby to have neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS). This means your baby is dependent on an opioid and needs it to feel as they usually would. This is a treatable condition.

If your doctor prescribes Suboxone during your pregnancy, your baby will be monitored for NOWS after it’s born. If they have the condition, they’ll receive treatment for it. Symptoms of NOWS include:

  • excessive crying
  • difficulty sleeping
  • diarrhea
  • difficulty gaining weight

If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant while taking Suboxone, talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of the drug during pregnancy. Keep in mind that untreated opioid dependence also poses risks during pregnancy.

Buprenorphine (one of the active ingredients in Suboxone) passes into breast milk. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed while taking Suboxone, ask your doctor whether it’s safe to do so.

If you breastfeed your child while taking Suboxone, they’ll need to be closely monitored for serious side effects. These include:

If your child has trouble breathing or if they experience side effects that seem life threatening, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

Taking Suboxone long term for opioid dependence may cause physical and psychological dependence on the drug. (Dependence is when your body gets used to a drug and needs it for you to function as usual.) This can lead to misuse, which is when you take a drug in a different way or for a different reason than how it was prescribed. For example, it could mean taking Suboxone more often or at a higher dose than your doctor prescribed.

Taking too much Suboxone can increase your risk of serious side effects, including overdose and addiction. (Addiction is when a drug is taken even if it’s causing harmful effects.) Before prescribing Suboxone for you, your doctor will describe the risks of misuse and of taking too much of the drug. They’ll also monitor you carefully throughout your treatment.

It’s important to take the drug exactly as your doctor prescribes. This helps the drug work effectively to treat your condition.

Suboxone can cause mild to serious side effects. Understanding possible side effects of a drug may help you manage them. If you have questions about Suboxone’s side effects, talk with your doctor. Examples of questions to help get you started include:

  • Will I have an increased risk of opioid withdrawal symptoms* when I first start Suboxone treatment?
  • How do the side effects of Suboxone compare with those of Zubsolv?
  • What can I do if I experience breathing problems with Suboxone?
  • If I have kidney problems, is my risk of certain Suboxone side effects higher?

To learn more about Suboxone, see these articles:

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* Withdrawal symptoms are side effects caused by suddenly stopping a drug.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.