What Are The Long Term Side Effects of Suboxone?

When it comes to opioid use disorder, Suboxone is a commonly prescribed medication used for long-term treatment and recovery. While the short-term effects of Suboxone are well known (and we'll discuss them in this article later as well), there has been much debate over what the long-term effects may be.

In this blog post, we will discuss the potential minor and major side effects of taking Suboxone in the long term and how you can minimize them. We’ll also look at how Suboxone affects your emotional response, psychomotor skills, and liver function. Read on to find out more about these possible long-term risks associated with taking Suboxone.

Long-term side effects of Suboxone?

What is Suboxone?

Suboxone is a prescription medication that is used to treat opioid use disorder. It contains both buprenorphine and naloxone, two medications that work together to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings for opioids, as well as help prevent relapse. Suboxone has been approved by the FDAand is classified as a Schedule III controlled substance.

Buprenorphine, which is the main active ingredient in Suboxone, is a partial opioid agonist, meaning that it binds to the opioid receptors in the brain but only produces a milder effect than full agonists like morphine or oxycodone.

Naloxone, on the other hand, is an opioid antagonist that prevents any further opioids from binding and producing effects in the body. It also blocks the effects of opioids like heroin and prescription painkillers from producing any feelings of pleasure or euphoria.

Suboxone has been around since the early 2000s and has been proven to be effective in helping people with opioid use disorder manage their addiction, reduce cravings, and ultimately stay clean.

However, as with all medications, there are potential side effects associated with using Suboxone in the short and long term. Patients should be aware of the potential risks associated with taking this medication, which we will discuss in the following sections.

Minor Side Effects of Suboxone

To start, there are a few minor side effects associated with taking Suboxone, which includes any of the following:

Physical side effects:

• Constipation or diarrhea

• Drowsiness

• Nausea, dizziness, and vomiting

• Stomach and back pain

• Excessive sweating

• Mouth numbness or redness

• Fatigue

• Irregular heartbeat

• Nasal congestion and sneezing

• Opioid withdrawal symptoms

Mental/Emotional Side Effects:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Insomnia

• Agitation

• Confusion

• Irritability or restlessness

These minor side effects are usually short-lived and dissipate after the patient has been on Suboxone for an extended period of time. It is important to note that these side effects may vary from person to person, so it's best to discuss any potential side effects with your Suboxone doctor before starting treatment.

Major Side Effects of Suboxone

Some side effects of Suboxone can be more serious and potentially dangerous if not monitored or managed properly. Some of them are even unintended, but can still be serious. These include:

• Severe allergic reactions – Allergic reactions may range from mild to severe and can include hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face and throat, dizziness, or rash.

• Liver damage – Suboxone has been known to cause liver problems in some patients when taken for an extended period of time. It is important to discuss this potential side effect with your doctor and get regular liver function tests while on Suboxone.

• Seizures – Suboxone may increase the risk of a seizure, although the risk is very low when taken as prescribed by a doctor.

• Drug dependence – Suboxone can be habit-forming, as it is an opioid. It should only be taken as prescribed by a doctor and any changes to the dosage should also be discussed with your doctor before making them.

• Respiratory Depression – Refers to a decrease in breathing rate and can be very dangerous. This is why Suboxone should never be taken with other medications that may cause respiratory depression, such as alcohol or benzodiazepines.

Other major side effects that you should watch out for include:

• Fever or chills

• Constant headaches

• Irregular menstruation

• Blurred vision and slurred speech

• Pain in the tongue

• Decreased libido

• Dark-colored urine + pain while urinating

• Yellowish skin

• Low blood pressure

It is important to remember that these side effects, while more serious, are rare and should not be taken lightly. If you experience any of the above symptoms after taking Suboxone, contact your Suboxone doctor immediately.

What Are the Long-Term Effects of Suboxone? 

Suboxone treatments typically last for 6 months to a year and longer, depending on the severity of the opioid use disorder. During this time, patients may experience a number of long-term side effects due to taking Suboxone for an extended period of time. These include:

• Decreased emotional response – Suboxone has been known to reduce the ability to experience emotions, such as joy and sadness. One study showed that long-term Suboxone usage can cause decreased self-awareness, leading to feelings of detachment and a lack of connection to the world around you.  This can be dangerous, as it may promote a lack of motivation and poor decision-making.

• Liver damage – Suboxone has been known to cause liver damage when taken in the wrong way. Suboxone is meant to be taken orally or sublingually, however, some people inject it directly to their bloodstream. This can cause serious damage to the liver as this method delivers a high concentration of the drug directly to the body, putting the liver into overload.

• Dependence –  Suboxone creates a physical and psychological dependence upon it, which can be difficult to break. Long-term usage of Suboxone may result in increased tolerance, meaning that more of the drug is needed to experience the same effect.

Other long-term side effects that have been reported include:

• Chronic constipation

• Anxiety and depression

• Decreased pain tolerance

• Confusion and disorientation

• Lack of motivation

• Hormonal problems

• Social isolation

• Decreased feelings of sexual desire

• Hair loss

It is important to discuss any potential long-term side effects with your doctor before taking Suboxone. Your Suboxone doctor will be able to help you understand the potential risks associated with long-term usage and answer any questions or concerns that you may have. They can also help create a tapering plan, if needed, to safely stop taking Suboxone.

Minimizing Suboxone Side Effects

The best way to minimize the potential side effects of Suboxone is to take it exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

This includes taking it at the same time each day and not exceeding or reducing the dosage without prior approval from your doctor. It is also important to get regular checkups with your doctor to ensure that Suboxone is still the best treatment for you and is working correctly.

If any side effects become too severe, contact your Suboxone doctor immediately for advice. Your doctor may reduce the dosage or recommend other treatments to help relieve symptoms.

Find a Reputable Suboxone Doctor Near You Today

Overall, Suboxone can be an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder and minimizing withdrawal symptoms. However, it is important to be aware of the potential side effects and long-term effects so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not Suboxone is right for you.

If you think that Suboxone may be beneficial for you, seek out a reputable Suboxone doctor near you today with the help of SuboxoneDoctor.com. They will be able to walk you through the process and answer any questions that you may have regarding Suboxone usage.