Suboxone Side Effects: What's Normal and What's Not
The most common Suboxone side effects are headache, nausea, constipation, trouble sleeping, sweating, and numbness or soreness in the mouth from the film dissolving. Most are mild and ease within the first week or two. Serious effects are rare but include severe allergic reactions and dangerously slowed breathing if Suboxone is combined with sedatives or alcohol.
Key takeaways
- Common side effects: headache, nausea, constipation, insomnia, sweating, and mouth numbness or soreness.
- Most mild effects improve within one to two weeks as your body adjusts.
- Constipation and dental problems can persist, so manage them proactively.
- Combining Suboxone with benzodiazepines, alcohol, or other sedatives can be life-threatening.
- Feeling worse with cravings may mean your dose is too low, not a side effect, tell your provider.
Common side effects (usually mild)
When people start Suboxone, the most frequent side effects are mild and tend to settle within the first week or two as the body adjusts:
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Constipation
- Trouble sleeping
- Sweating
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Numbness, soreness, or redness in the mouth or on the tongue from the film
How to manage the common ones
- Constipation, drink water, add fiber, stay active, and ask your provider about a stool softener.
- Nausea, it often eases after the first days, let the film dissolve fully rather than chewing.
- Mouth soreness, allow the film to dissolve completely and rinse with water afterward.
- Insomnia, ask about the timing of your daily dose.
Dental problems: an FDA warning
In 2022 the FDA warned that medicines dissolved in the mouth, including buprenorphine films and tablets, have been linked to dental problems such as cavities and tooth decay, even in people with no prior history. The benefits of treatment still far outweigh this risk, but you can protect your teeth: after the film fully dissolves, gently rinse your mouth with water, wait about an hour before brushing, and keep up regular dental care. Do not stop your medication over this, talk with your provider.
When to get medical help
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction: rash, hives, swelling of the face or throat, or trouble breathing.
- Slow or shallow breathing, extreme drowsiness, or confusion, especially if sedatives or alcohol were involved.
- Yellowing skin or eyes, dark urine, or severe stomach pain, which can signal a rare liver problem.
Side effects versus not enough medication
It is easy to confuse side effects with under-dosing. If you feel anxious, achy, sweaty, or are having cravings, that may not be a side effect of Suboxone at all, it can mean your dose is too low to fully cover withdrawal. The fix is a dose conversation with your provider, not stopping the medication.
Frequently asked questions
Do Suboxone side effects go away?
Most mild side effects, like nausea, headache, and sweating, ease within one to two weeks as your body adjusts. Constipation and dental effects can persist, so they are worth managing proactively.
Can Suboxone damage your teeth?
The FDA has warned that dissolving buprenorphine in the mouth is linked to dental problems in some people. Rinsing your mouth with water after the film dissolves and keeping up dental care lowers the risk. Do not stop treatment without talking to your provider.
What should you not take with Suboxone?
Avoid combining it with benzodiazepines, alcohol, or other sedatives, that combination can dangerously slow breathing. Always tell your provider about every medication and substance you use.
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Sources: SAMHSA, U.S. Food & Drug Administration, and peer-reviewed literature on buprenorphine pharmacology. Medically reviewed by Dr. Daniel Karlin, MD.
This article is for general education and is not medical advice. Talk with a licensed clinician about your own treatment. In an emergency call 911, or call or text 988 for free 24/7 support.