SUBOXONE® Sublingual Film
SUBOXONE® sublingual film, which contains buprenorphine and naloxone, is a prescription drug used to treat opioid dependence in adults. It treats dependence on both opioid prescription painkillers and heroin. Its manufacturer, Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals Inc., instructs that it should only be used "as part of complete treatment program that also includes counseling and behavioral therapy." SUBOXONE film is designed to suppress opiate withdrawal symptoms and reduce opiate cravings. It comes in the form of rectangular orange film featuring a white printed logo. Each film is packaged individually, and in child-resistant packaging. The film is placed under the tongue, and the medication it contains is absorbed into the bloodstream through the blood vessels beneath the tongue.
SUBOXONE film can be used at home, which makes it a discreet way of treating opioid dependence/addiction. It comes in 2 mg, 4 mg, 8 mg and 12 mg doses, essentially eliminating problems with under- or overmedicating.
Side Effects of SUBOXONE Sublingual Film
Common side effects of SUBOXONE film include the following:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- Sweating
- Drug-withdrawal syndrome
- Constipation
- Numb mouth
- Painful tongue
- Redder-than-usual oral cavity
- Feeling of intoxication
- Irregular heartbeat
- Insomnia
- Disturbance in attention
- Blurred vision
- Back pain
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Sleepiness
SUBOXONE film can be addictive in and of itself, and a patient who suddenly stops using it can experience symptoms of withdrawal. A patient should not stop taking SUBOXONE film before consulting with a physician.
Benefits of SUBOXONE Film
In addition to helping with opioid withdrawal and the cravings that accompany it, because it comes in a form that cannot be crushed into a powder, SUBOXONE film discourages misuse or abuse. Another benefit is that its manufacturer offers support to SUBOXONE patients through its Here to Help® Program, which teaches, among other things, how to manage opioid dependence as a chronic disease. The program also offers e-mail support that gives patients guidance about treatment.