Using opioids or any other substances with overdose risk can increase the risk of overdose. If you start your journey of recovery from opioid use disorder (OUD) and are prescribed Suboxone, you may be wondering if it’s possible to overdose from the medication. The short answer is yes, it’s possible to overdose from Suboxone. However, it’s quite difficult to do so.
Suboxone is a type of medication that helps reduce withdrawal symptoms, your opioid cravings, and the risk of using opioids again. While it’s unlikely that you’ll overdose, it’s a possible result of taking too much in a short period of time or mixing it with other substances.
We’ll talk about what can lead to an overdose on Suboxone as well as signs of a potential Suboxone overdose. Then we’ll discuss the role that Groups can play in helping you through the recovery journey with Suboxone.
Potential causes of an overdose on Suboxone
Suboxone is a prescription medication that a person takes every day. The medication is taken either as a pill or film strip that’s placed underneath the tongue to dissolve.
When Suboxone is taken as prescribed, it can help you manage the withdrawal process without feeling sick and move along the recovery journey. Plus, the ingredients themselves, buprenorphine and naloxone, have their own ways to reduce overdose. Buprenorphine only provides euphoric and sedative effects at a higher dose. Naloxone reverses the effects of opioids, leading to less risk of using again.
However, there are a few factors that can increase the risk of overdosing on Suboxone:
- Incorrect use — When you’re prescribed with a medication like Suboxone, there are instructions that go along with it. There are guidelines about how much to take, when you should take it, and what you should avoid doing while taking it. If you don’t take it as prescribed — such as taking it on a different schedule than prescribed or mixing it with substances that the prescription warns against — you may increase negative side effects.
- Interactions with other drugs — As is the case with all medications, Suboxone can have a negative impact on the body if it’s mixed with ingredients of other substances. The reaction can lead to an overdose. There’s a long list of drugs that can have a negative interaction with Suboxone, including alcohol, antidepressants, benzodiazepines, muscle relaxants, antipsychotics, and gabapentin. Also, if the individual uses opioids again while taking Suboxone, it can increase the risk of an overdose. Make sure your health care provider is aware of all the medications that you are prescribed so they can safely manage your medications.
- Age — Aging comes with a gradual change in how the body functions, making it more difficult to process certain drugs. An older adult may have issues with their heart, kidney, and liver that can increase the risk of overdose from Suboxone or change the effects of the medication.
- Using the prescribed dosage — Daily prescribed doses of Suboxone can start at 4 mg/1 mg. Taking more than 24 mg/6 mg of Suboxone in one day can potentially cause an overdose.
What a Suboxone overdose can look and feel like
It’s important to be aware of potential signs of a Suboxone overdose so that you or your loved one can receive the emergency medical services needed. There are many physical symptoms of an overdose that can be felt or recognized by other people. Some emotional and mental symptoms may not be easy to pick up on, especially during the early stage of the overdose.
Physical signs and symptoms of a Suboxone overdose include:
- Lightheadedness or feeling faint
- Blurry vision
- Slurred speech
- Trouble walking or lack of coordination
- Vomiting
- Discolored nails, lips, and skin
- Small pupils
- Fainting
- Seizures
- Breathing troubles
Mental or emotional signs and symptoms of a Suboxone overdose include:
- Heightened irritability or being easily angered
- Feeling anxious or worried without a reason
- Out-of-character mood changes
- Memory issues
- Confusion
Groups can help you manage your Suboxone prescription to reduce the risk of overdose
Suboxone can be an important first step in your journey to recovery. However, it must be taken as prescribed for the best results while also reducing the risk of potential issues, such as an overdose.
At Groups, medication management with Suboxone is a central aspect of treatment. Not only will we give you quick access to the medication you need to get through withdrawal symptoms and cravings, but we’ll also help you make other life changes as needed. This daily medication helps you to start overcoming OUD without putting your body at risk from severe withdrawal reactions.
Give our Recovery Support Specialists a call today for more information or to begin your recovery.
