When we think about taking medication, we might just assume that it will automatically fix the “bad stuff” we’re feeling. While that’s the goal of medications, it’s often a bit more complex than that. If you’ve started medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), like Suboxone, read on to learn more about it.
Suboxone is prescribed for opioid use disorder (OUD). It can help you manage withdrawal symptoms, including cravings. It can also prevent misuse by deterring injection or snorting. By learning what to expect from the medication, you can be better informed about your treatment. You’ll also know when something needs to be checked out by a provider.
Read on to learn the basics of taking Suboxone and what you can expect when you start MOUD. Then we’ll discuss how we incorporate and manage Suboxone during your time with us at Groups.
How to take Suboxone
Suboxone is a daily medication that you can administer yourself. It’s a sublingual tablet or film, meaning that it dissolves when it’s placed under the tongue.
Your first dose of Suboxone should be taken once you start experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Having other opioids in your system when you start the medication can lead to precipitated withdrawal. This refers to sudden, severe withdrawal symptoms that can be overwhelming.
6 things you can expect when taking Suboxone
When you’re prescribed Suboxone by a provider at the start of your OUD treatment, they will give you the rundown, like potential interactions to avoid. Through research from medical professionals and patient experiences on Suboxone, we can give you a deeper insight into what you can expect from the medication.
Here are six things to expect when taking Suboxone:
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You may still experience withdrawal symptoms at the beginning of your prescription.
The main goal of buprenorphine, one of the main ingredients of Suboxone, is to help you manage your withdrawal symptoms. However, it doesn’t completely stop the symptoms with your first dose. Since you don’t start the prescription until you’re already going through withdrawal, the symptoms may linger. Withdrawal can take up to 24 hours to start after taking a short-acting opioid, and up to 48 hours after a long-acting opioid.
During the first few days of your Suboxone, you may still experience mild withdrawal symptoms. Examples include shaking and anxiety. Your provider will likely start you on a low dose as your body gets used to it. Then, they’ll slowly increase the dosage to minimize the symptoms as much as possible.
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It will start working in an hour or less.
It doesn’t take long for the ingredients of Suboxone to kick in and start affecting your body. It takes between 30 and 60 minutes for it to enter your bloodstream. That’s when the buprenorphine gets to work on partially attaching to the same receptors as opioids do. It gives you the same effects as opioids do, but at a milder level, to reduce withdrawal symptoms, including cravings.
The time frame that buprenorphine stays in your system can vary. It depends on factors such as your metabolism and how long you’ve been taking the medication. However, it has a half-life of approximately 37 hours, meaning that its potency takes more than a day to drop by 50%.
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You won’t experience a “high.”
As we mentioned in the earlier point, buprenorphine is meant to give you similar effects as opioids do, just not to the same extent. Because it doesn’t completely activate the same brain receptors as opioids do, taking Suboxone won’t make you feel high, which is a common misconception.
Buprenorphine teams up with the other ingredient of Suboxone, naloxone, to deter you from IV misuse in an attempt to reach a high.
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Your breathing can change, but it’s not life-threatening.
Respiratory depression is a common side effect of all opioids; your breathing can slow down or become shallow. It can also occur while taking Suboxone, but this symptom doesn’t happen as much or as severely as with full opioids.
Respiratory depression can become a medical emergency if it becomes severe enough. But Suboxone has a “ceiling effect,” meaning that the respiratory issues will eventually level off, even at higher doses.
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You may feel tired for a while.
Fatigue is a common symptom of opioid use and withdrawal that can have an impact on your everyday routines and productivity. Likewise, feeling drowsy and tired can also be a side effect of taking Suboxone. This comes from the effects of the medication on your brain receptors, causing slow reaction times. Being tired while on Suboxone can also be linked to feeling dizziness or lightheaded.
The good news is that your fatigue is likely going to be mild. It should go away as time goes on and your body gets used to the medication. In the meantime, it’s important to avoid driving or handling heavy machinery until you have a better understanding of how your body reacts to Suboxone.
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You may have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.
It’s also possible to experience insomnia while taking Suboxone. Insomnia is a sleep disorder that can make it challenging to fall asleep or sleep through the night. Clinical trial data submitted to the FDA showed that approximately 14% of people on the medication experienced insomnia during a four-week study.
As with other Suboxone side effects, insomnia is likely temporary and your sleep quality may improve with time. If it’s a regular issue, talk to your provider about potential options for improving sleep. They may recommend melatonin supplements. You can also try to create a self-care routine before bed to help you fall asleep, such as not looking at a screen or listening to a relaxing playlist.
If you’re experiencing severe side effects that are affecting your daily functions, talk to your provider.
Groups helps to prepare you for taking Suboxone
Suboxone is one of the gold standard treatments for opioid use disorder, which is why we provide a fast prescription to Groups members. However, we don’t just give you the prescription to figure it out on your own. We provide medication management throughout the entirety of your treatment. This means checking in to see if you’re having any issues with your Suboxone that need to be addressed, or if changes need to be made to your dosage.
Along with Suboxone, the comprehensive treatment at Groups also involves weekly group meetings (in person or virtually through our app) as well as custom life-goal assistance. We’re here to help you in every aspect of your OUD recovery journey, from mental health support to personal goal setting. We can help you achieve sustainable recovery while working toward being the person you want to be.
Give our Recovery Support Specialists a call today at 888-858-1723 for more information or to begin your recovery. We provide treatment across the country — and we’re always expanding. See if we offer care in your state, either online or at one of our 130+ local offices. If Groups doesn’t offer treatment in your area, you can locate other treatment options here.
