How to Take Suboxone Properly: A Step-By-Step Guide
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) has helped thousands of people recover from drug addiction, and one of the leading medications is Suboxone. Used to manage withdrawals and cravings from opioids, Suboxone is a scientifically proven method to help people taper off from opioids in a controlled, safe process.
However, Suboxone isn’t taken like normal medications, and it can get confusing for many people. Knowing how to take Suboxone isn’t as clear-cut as taking an over-the-counter pain reliever or cold medicine. They’re often given as a strip or film, and there’s a specific process for taking Suboxone that ensures the best results.
Master Center has over a dozen medical providers and addiction psychiatrists trained in prescribing and administering Suboxone, and they’ve helped thousands of patients get started on recovery with the help of MAT. They’ve outlined the steps to taking Suboxone so that you can be prepared and comfortable when starting your treatment plan.
Remember to always consult with a medical provider or doctor before starting Suboxone or any other MAT program. Let’s explore how to take Suboxone properly.
How to Take Suboxone Strips: A Step-by-Step Breakdown
Suboxone strips (or films) dissolve when placed under the tongue or inside the cheek, then melt inside your mouth before moving into your bloodstream. Suboxone has two chemicals: the opioid buprenorphine and the opioid antagonist Naloxone. Together, these chemicals prevent you from craving opioids or experiencing severe withdrawals by blocking the opioid receptors in the brain.
Doctors prefer the strips over pills as the medication can enter your system more effectively through the mouth’s tissues. Although pills are available, medical specialists generally agree that strips are the best way to administer Suboxone. However, always be sure to talk to your doctor about what’s best for you.
10 Steps to Taking Suboxone Strips or Films
Suboxone strips are typically taken once a day and stay in your system for several days. Your medical provider will go over how to take suboxone strips, but our specialists recommend the following steps to take it properly:
- Keep your strips in a cool, dry place, and away from pets, children, and other people.
- Do not eat, drink, or smoke for at least 15 minutes before taking the strips.
- Ensure you don’t have any food in your mouth beforehand.
- Wash and completely dry your hands, open the pack, and grab the strip by the corners.
- Place the strip under your tongue and wait at least 5 minutes for the strip to dissolve.
- Don’t move the strip, eat, drink, or talk.
- When dissolved, wait 15 minutes, and take a sip of water, swish, and swallow.
- Don’t eat or drink for 15 minutes, and don’t brush your teeth for 1 hour.
It’s important to let the film dissolve before eating or drinking anything and allow the medication to fully enter your system. It takes between 6 and 12 minutes for the strip to fully dissolve. If you have residue in your mouth after the strip dissolves, you can either spit out or swallow the residue, whichever you prefer.
4 Tips to Taking Suboxone Strips
Similar to starting any new medication, taking Suboxone can feel a bit daunting. It’s not like a liquid or pill, so we understand if you’re worried about taking it properly.
Our experienced medical providers and addiction psychiatrists have offered a few tips to help you get started:
- Wet your mouth: Suboxone strips need saliva to effectively enter your system, so the wetter your mouth, the better it’ll dissolve.
- Try to relax when waiting: Don’t chew or swallow the strips, as they can make you sick. When waiting for it to dissolve, if you’re feeling anxious, try to do something to distract yourself, like reading, going for a walk, or watching your favorite movie.
- Keep your head elevated: Lying down can cause saliva to pool at the back of your throat, making it taste unpleasant, so sit or stand upright when taking the strips.
- Care for your teeth: Some people experience tooth decay when taking Suboxone strips, so reduce this risk by taking a sip of water after the medication has dissolved and swishing it around your mouth.
The most important thing is to relax, follow the instructions, and let the medication do its job.
Common & Severe Side Effects of Suboxone
Like taking any other medication, there are some side effects of Suboxone that you should be aware of. Be sure to consult with your provider if you have any health conditions that could exacerbate the side effects.
Common side effects of Suboxone typically subside within a few days to a week, and these can include:
- Head and body aches
- Rapid heart rate
- Nausea
- Sore tongue/redness in the mouth
- Insomnia (trouble sleeping)
- Fatigue
- Back pain
It’s uncommon to experience severe side effects of Suboxone, but it’s still important to be aware of them. If you experience severe side effects, be sure to contact your provider immediately. Severe side effects include:
- Breathing problems
- Severe allergic reaction
- Severe withdrawal symptoms
- Liver damage
- Dependency on Suboxone
Dosage Amounts Can Relate to Side Effects
It’s important that you have the correct dosage when taking Suboxone. Of course, side effects depend on a variety of biological factors—like health history, genetics, etc.—but the prescribed dosage can make a difference in side effect experiences as well.
Remember that Suboxone has two chemicals, buprenorphine and Naloxone, and the amount of these varies per dose. Suboxone strips usually come in the following amounts:
- Buprenorphine 2 mg/naloxone 0.5 mg
- Buprenorphine 4 mg/naloxone 1 mg
- Buprenorphine 8 mg/naloxone 2 mg
- Buprenorphine 12 mg/naloxone 3 mg
Of course, your provider will administer the proper dose depending on your situation, and it’s common to fluctuate between dosages throughout your treatment experience. Just remember to always be honest and communicate with your provider when starting any dose amount.
Getting Started with Suboxone at Master Center
Taking medication for addiction can be a new experience for many people, but the benefits of medication-assisted treatment, like Suboxone, are vast and worthwhile. If your provider prescribes it, knowing how to take Suboxone is an important part of your treatment program, so be sure you pay attention and bring up any concerns.
Always remember, too, that Suboxone is just like taking any other medication, like for a cold, diabetes, or another mental health disorder; the only difference is that it comes in a strip. As long as you follow the instructions provided, communicate with your provider, and keep a positive perspective, you’ll feel more confident and successful in your treatment journey.
At Master Center, we offer Suboxone to help with opioid addiction, and our providers are trained in helping you get the most out of your treatment program. They’re available for more information on Suboxone and other medication-assisted treatment, so reach out with concerns and questions.
About Master Center
Master Center is a groundbreaking addiction treatment program headquartered in Glen Allen, Va. Based on a vision of comprehensive outpatient care, Master Center was launched in 2016 and now includes locations throughout the Commonwealth.
Master Center offers a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach rarely seen in the outpatient setting, staffed by experienced addiction physicians, psychiatrists, counselors, therapists, and peer recovery coaches.
