Suboxone strips, sometimes referred to as Suboxone film, is a dissolvable strip containing the opioid buprenorphine and naloxone, the active ingredients in Suboxone. The strips/films can be administered sublingually (under the tongue) or placed inside the cheek where they rapidly dissolve.
What Are Suboxone Strips Used For?
Suboxone is an opioid drug that is commonly used for the relief of withdrawal symptoms related to the use of more powerful opioids such as heroin. It can also be used for the treatment of moderate in low dosages.
The Buprenorphine that is present in Suboxone is a partial opioid agonist – in other words, it works in the brain in the same manner that other, stronger opioids do, but produces milder effects. Naloxone, also present in Suboxone, prevents the medication from being abused. This combination makes Suboxone an excellent medication to treat opioid addiction or ease pain with less risk of dependency or misuse.
Suboxone Strips Side Effects
Side effects of using Suboxone strips are identical to those of Suboxone in pill form. While Suboxone is indicated to treat severe addictions, it’s also a psychoactive drug, so medical professionals must be particularly careful when prescribing it. In the short term, users typically feel relaxed and calm. The drug’s effects include a feeling of peacefulness that can endure as long as two days.
Still, some people may abuse it which may result in side effects, such as the following:
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Constipation
- Confusion
- Nausea
To avoid adverse side effects of Suboxone strips, patients should only use it as directed and in combination with a comprehensive addiction treatment plan.
Unfortunately, some people abuse the drug for non-medical purposes while not participating in a rehab program. If Suboxone is taken in conjunction with the abuse of other depressants such as alcohol or benzodiazepines, side effects can be much more severe. Breathing problems and even death can result from traumatic central nervous system depression.
How To Take Suboxone Strips
There are two ways to administer Suboxone strips- sublingual or through the insides of the cheek. Moreover, the films can be placed under the tongue or on either the left or right side of the inside of the cheek. Either way, the strip is left to dissolve easily without further concern.
The important thing to remember regarding Suboxone strips is they should be dissolved completely. It cannot be chewed, swallowed, or cut to get the expected potency.
Using this sublingual administration, people who need help to recover from opioid dependence don’t need to take Suboxone in form anymore. One of the common disadvantages of taking the drug as a pill is the process is not as discreet compared to the film and also may have a greater potential for abuse.
Signs of an Overdose
If you are concerned that someone is too high, their life may depend on whether or not you leave them alone or take it upon yourself to investigate further and possibly seek medical help. If the person is still conscious, keep them awake and moving if possible and monitor their breathing.
If you note any of the following signs of an overdose, please call 911 immediately.
- Loss of consciousness
- Unresponsive to outside stimulus
- Awake, but unable to talk or respond
- Breathing is slow, shallow, erratic, or has stopped
- Cyanosis – For lighter skinned people, skin tone (particularly fingers or lips) turns bluish or purple, and for darker skinned people, it turns grayish or ashen.
- Choking sounds, or a snore-like gurgling noise (also called the “death rattle”)
- Vomiting
- Body is very limp
- Face is pale or clammy
- Pulse (heartbeat) is slow, erratic, or absent
If someone is making disturbing or odd sounds while they are sleeping or unconscious, it is worth trying to wake him or her. Many loved ones of users think a person is snoring, when in fact the person could be in the midst of an overdose. These situations represent missed opportunities to intervene and save someone’s life.
Moreover, it is relatively rare for someone to die immediately from an overdose. When a person survives, it’s because someone was nearby to respond.
Treatment for Suboxone Addiction
Suboxone addiction is rarely than addictions to other narcotics because effects are milder and the presence of naloxone helps prevent abuse and overdose. It meant to be a treated for addiction to stronger opioids, but addiction, at least a psychological one, is not unheard of.
If you or someone you know is addicted to Suboxone or other opioids, please seek help immediately. Our center offers both inpatient and outpatient treatment that includes evidence-based approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and counseling.
You can regain your life and enjoy the long-lasting sobriety and wellness you deserve – and we can help!
Our programs are structured with various components of evidence-based treatment practices and holistic approaches to treatment that provide our patients with the knowledge and tools they need to be successful in their recovery.
If you or your loved one is suffering from substance abuse, please seek help as soon as possible.