Suboxone

Suboxone is formulated from a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is one kind of opioid drug which is similar to other opioids for instance codeine, morphine, and heroin but, it produces less euphoric or the "high" effects, as a result it is easier for patients to stop taking it. On the other hand Naloxone prevents the effects of opioids for instance codeine, morphine, and heroin. When Suboxone is injected, naloxone blocks the effects of buprenorphine and eventually leading to withdrawal symptoms in a patient with an opioid addiction. Doctors usually prescribe Suboxone to treat opiate addiction. It may also be recommended for other health problems.

What are things patients need to know before taking Suboxone?

You should not take Suboxone if the drug was not prescribed by a registered doctor or physician for you; or you are allergic to naloxone, buprenorphine, or any substances of the tablets.

Before starting to have Suboxone, you should inform your doctor if you have: brain problem or a head injury; difficulty breathing or lung problems; kidney problems; liver problems; adrenal gland problems, for instance Addison's disease; gallbladder problems; abnormal prostate gland; low thyroid or hypothyroidism; an abnormality in the spine which may affect breathing; problems urinating; alcoholism; hallucinations or serious mental problems.

How should you take Suboxone?

You should take Suboxone exactly the same way as prescribed by your physician or doctor. You should not take in smaller or larger amounts or for shorter or longer than recommended. You should also follow the instructions on your prescription label. You need to keep it in your mind that your doctor or physician may sometimes change your dose of medicine to ensure that you get the best results.

You should not chew, crush, break, or open an extended-release pill bottle. You must swallow it whole because breaking the pill may lead to you a situation when you have too much of the pill into your system released at one time.

What happens if a patient misses a dose?

In many occasions patients forget their dosing schedules. If a patient is taking Suboxone regularly, he should take the missed dose whenever he can remember. When it is the time to take the next dose he should skip that and more to his regular dose afterwards. However, never take a double dose of this drug.

What happens if you overdose?

You need to seek emergency medical assistance if you feel you have taken Suboxone more than you have been prescribed. In some situation an overdose of Suboxone can cause serious health problems such as seizures, slow breathing, weakness, dizziness, coma, loss of consciousness, tiredness, confusion, small pupils and clammy skin.

What are the possible side effects of Suboxone?

Sometimes Suboxone can lead to drug dependence. In that case your doctor or physician would most likely to reduce the dose gradually to minimize or avoid the withdrawal symptoms.

You should call your doctor immediately and seek medical assistance as soon as possible if you experience slow breathing; allergic reaction such as difficulty breathing; swelling of the tongue, lips, or face; closing of the throat; confusion or dizziness or; liver problems for instance yellowing of the eyes or the skin, light colored stools, dark colored urine, reduced appetite for quite a few days or longer, stomach pain or nausea,.

Some other less severe side effects are more common. You can continue taking Suboxone and but you should also inform your doctor if you have pain; headache; nausea; sweating; problems sleeping; constipation or stomach pain.

Taking Suboxone during pregnancy

Suboxone can cause problems to the fetus. It could cause low birth weight, premature birth, or withdrawal symptoms in a baby if the mother takes Suboxone during her pregnancy. If you are pregnant or decided to conceive you need to tell your doctor or physician before taking this medicine.

Again, Suboxone may pass into the breast milk and might cause a lot of harm to a nursing baby. Thus when you are breast feeding a child, you must not take the medicine without discussion with your doctor about taking Suboxone.

Like all other medicines proper precautions and safety measures should be taken before taking Suboxone. Again this medicine should only be taken in a proper way after consulting with a doctor.