Suboxone is a medication meant to help treat opioid addiction, but it, too, has proven controversial. While meant to curb drug abuse, Suboxone has faced legal scrutiny over its use and distribution. With millions taking the drug each year in hopes of kicking their habit, understanding both its promise and peril has never been more important.
What Is Suboxone?
Suboxone is a medication that can help ease symptoms of opioid withdrawal. The two active components are naloxone and buprenorphine.
Buprenorphine lessens cravings and withdrawal symptoms without having the same potent effects as other opioids like heroin or oxycodone. Patients find it simpler to stop taking opioids as a result of this.
Naloxone is also included to help prevent misuse. If the medication is dissolved and injected, the naloxone can cause rapid withdrawal to discourage improper use. Being a partial opioid agonist, buprenorphine also has a dose-limiting effect that prevents it from becoming more effective. When compared to other opioids, this reduces the danger of overdosing.
Doctors began prescribing Suboxone in 2002 as a treatment for opioid addiction. It is available as a film that dissolves under the tongue, a tablet, or as an implant under the skin of the arm, lasting six months.
While medication-assisted treatment is important, Suboxone is generally part of a comprehensive program, including counseling, support groups, and treatment for any co-occurring mental health conditions. The goal is to not only manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings but also support long-term recovery.
What Health Complications Have Led to Legal Actions Against Suboxone?
According to TruLaw, the use of the medication Suboxone has been associated with several dental health complications, according to legal filings. These issues include severe tooth decay, cavities, tooth loss, oral infections, and gum and tongue injuries.
Developing such dental problems from Suboxone use can negatively impact someone’s psychological, emotional, and financial well-being through diminished self-esteem, social anxiety, and high medical costs.
Lawsuits, like the Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit, have been filed against Suboxone. These lawsuits claim that the drug, often prescribed for opioid addiction treatment, can lead to dental damage because of its acidic properties. Those primarily affected used the sublingual film form of Suboxone.
The manufacturers are accused in the cases of not providing patients with enough warning about the risk of tooth decay and other oral health problems.
Defendant companies named in Suboxone lawsuits include Indivior Inc., Aquestive Therapeutics Inc., and Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals Inc. In November 2023, lawyers representing individuals with dental issues caused by Suboxone proposed consolidating the related legal cases.
In December 2023, the defendants agreed to consolidation and it’s expected that multidistrict litigation (MDL) will soon be established to handle the cases collectively. The United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio is likely to oversee the multidistrict litigation centralizing the Suboxone dental injury lawsuits.
Are There Any Alternatives to Suboxone?
Methadone is a long-acting opioid medication that works on the same brain receptors as other opioids but does not produce euphoria or a high. Methadone is given orally daily at an opioid treatment center. When used as directed, withdrawal symptoms and cravings are prevented.
Naltrexone functions differently, obstructing the brain’s opioid receptors. It doesn’t lessen cravings or symptoms of withdrawal like methadone or buprenorphine does.
However, taking naltrexone means a person cannot feel the effects of opioids if they use it. Typically, naltrexone is initiated during detoxification as a component of an all-encompassing rehabilitation regimen. It is available in both oral and injectable form.
Lofexidine hydrochloride and clonidine are non-opioid medications that can help alleviate acute withdrawal symptoms over a short period of around 2 weeks. They work to ease some of the physical discomfort experienced when stopping opioid use.
While detox addresses the physical dependence, cravings, and triggers remain challenging to manage without further support. Relapse risk is high if a person only completes detox and limited counseling. Ongoing medication-assisted treatment, along with counseling and behavioral therapies, can significantly improve long-term recovery outcomes.
Counseling provides tools to cope with personal and social factors that may underlie substance use. Common therapeutic approaches include motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral therapy, family therapy, contingency management, 12-step meetings, and peer support groups.
Together, medication and counseling aim to support long-lasting behavior change and abstinence. Ongoing treatment addresses both the biological and psychological components of opioid addiction.
FAQs
- Which drug category does Suboxone belong to?
A: Suboxone, along with other buprenorphine-based medications, is classified as a Schedule III drug due to its potential for misuse. However, it’s considered less risky compared to some other substances. Additionally, products containing less than 90 milligrams of codeine fall under this category.
- Is Suboxone classified as a narcotic?
A: Technically, yes. The buprenorphine component of Suboxone is an opioid that falls under the category of narcotics. However, it’s important to note that naloxone, another component of Suboxone, acts as an antagonist to narcotics rather than being one itself. Furthermore, while buprenorphine is an opioid, it’s not as potent as drugs like heroin or oxycodone.
- What are the common side effects of Suboxone?
A: Common side effects of Suboxone may include nausea, vomiting, headache, and sweating. Additionally, other reported side effects may encompass numbness in the mouth, constipation, painful tongue, dizziness, fainting, and problems with concentration.
While Suboxone aims to help those suffering from opioid addiction, its use and potential complications require close oversight. As with any treatment involving medication and addiction, balancing effectiveness and safety is paramount.
With open communication between patients, doctors, and manufacturers, as well as continual progress in clinical research, the promise of Suboxone and other emerging therapies can be maximized. This is especially true for those seeking freedom from dependence. Recovery is a journey that honors both compassion and care.
