When people begin to take the steps toward recovery from opioid addiction, one of the most commonly used substances utilized in a medically assisted detox is Suboxone. This prescription medication can help people with opioid addiction fight off the side effects of flushing their system of toxins. However, people looking into joining a rehab program in Levittown, PA, have a common question they want answered before committing — can Suboxone make you sick?

What Is Suboxone?

Suboxone treatments are one of the most common ways medically-assisted recovery programs help wean people off an opioid. This particular drug simulates the feeling of the drug they became addicted to without the addictive properties. So while their system flushes itself of the substance, their body still feels similar effects and does not feel the withdrawal effects.

However, while Suboxone can help deal with these undesirable effects, are there still side effects that you should be mindful of during your recovery?

Why Do I Feel Like I Have the Flu?

While Suboxone can help you deal with withdrawal symptoms, you still need to be mindful of numerous side effects. This particular drug carries the designation of a partial opioid agonist. While the most common side effects include headache, diarrhea, constipation, and nausea, the more severe possibilities can range from the following:

  • Sweating
  • Numb mouth
  • Painful tongue
  • Dizziness and fainting
  • Problems concentrating
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Insomnia
  • Blurred vision

Additionally, Suboxone can cause respiratory depression, as seen in other opioids. As your breath gets shallower, your oxygen levels deplete, and you can experience a severe respiratory event that requires immediate medical attention.

The Top Reasons Why Suboxone Makes You Feel Sick

For most people trying to begin their recovery journey, a medically-assisted program can help mitigate the chances of feeling sick after taking a drug like Suboxone. However, there are still plenty of reasons why you may begin to feel the side effects of taking it.

Precipitated Withdrawal

The reason someone may begin to feel sick after taking Suboxone could relate to taking it too early, causing precipitated withdrawal. This occurs when your system has too many opioids present at one time. This overload of similar substances in your body can cause intense feelings of illness, including nausea and vomiting.

The Dosage Is Wrong

Everyone makes mistakes; if you’re trying to self-medicate through the withdrawal process or have someone watching over you without the proper training, the dosages may be off. Every person’s body metabolizes substances differently from the next, so the dosage that’s right for one may be completely different for someone else.

If someone has a higher tolerance for opioids, they’ll need a stronger dosage for the effects to kick in. Someone with a lower threshold may need a lighter one to feel the benefits. If it’s too high or too low, it could cause you to feel sick.

Missing a Dose

Suboxone can last in the body for between 24-36 hours. If they take a late dose, they often won’t feel any sickness — unless they metabolize the medication faster than expected. If you begin to feel sick due to this unexpected complication, the drug is wearing off and could be the first sign of Suboxone withdrawal.

Improperly Using

Most addiction treatment centers that use Suboxone will administer it in two ways — dissolvable film or a tablet. They’re designed to work best when it dissolves completely under the tongue or in your cheeks. However, its effectiveness will vary if you try to crush, chew, swallow, or take it with food or drink.

Find an Addiction Treatment Program That’s Right for You

Suboxone can prove an effective tool on your road to recovery if you know what to expect and how to administer it properly. With so many variables involved and the possible side effects that could trigger a potential relapse, having a support system you can trust throughout the process becomes vital to your success and survival. Steps to Recovery has helped countless people deal with opioid withdrawal symptoms and ensure they receive the medical advice and attention they need to successfully navigate this difficult period of their recovery.

If you or someone you love is struggling with opioid addiction, don’t hesitate to get the treatment services they need. Contact Steps to Recovery to learn more about our treatments for opioid substance abuse and our addiction therapy programs today.

 

 

 

Sources:

https://www.addictionresource.net/mat/buprenorphine/suboxone/side-effects/sickness/

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325827

https://myhealth.alberta.ca/health/AfterCareInformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=custom.ab_suboxone_homedosing_ac_adult