If you’re battling opioid addiction, it can often feel like there is no end in sight. Everything around you is crumbling down, and you have no idea where to turn.
Thankfully, you don’t have to keep living like this. Suboxone Sublingual Film, also known as Suboxone strips, has emerged as a beacon of hope for people like you struggling with addiction. This innovative medication-assisted treatment (MAT) combines buprenorphine and naloxone in a film form that dissolves under the tongue, offering a discreet, effective option for those addicted to heroin and other opiates.
Read on to find out about the advantages, usage, and critical information about Suboxone Sublingual Film, and why it’s a preferred choice for MAT addiction recovery treatment.
Key Takeaways
- Suboxone Sublingual Film combines buprenorphine and naloxone to relieve opioid withdrawal symptoms and block misuse, effectively treating opioid use disorder.
- Suboxone film must dissolve completely under the tongue without cutting, chewing, or swallowing, and standard dosage is 8 mg of buprenorphine and 2 mg naloxone for the first dose.
- Suboxone treatment at SaVida Health includes behavioral counseling, dual-diagnosis support, and flexible insurance options for patients with Medicaid, Medicare, Aetna, Cigna, Humana, and others.
The Advantages of Suboxone Sublingual Film for Addiction Treatment
Suboxone Sublingual Film offers several benefits over traditional opioid addiction treatments. Its unique formulation enhances patient compliance, reduces potential misuse, and delivers consistent medication.
The film’s sublingual application allows for rapid absorption, offering quick relief from withdrawal symptoms and cravings, which is crucial for early recovery stages.
How Suboxone Sublingual Film Works
Suboxone Sublingual Film works by simultaneously activating and blocking opioid receptors in the brain.
Buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist, provides relief from withdrawal symptoms without producing the euphoria associated with opioids. Naloxone, an opioid antagonist, prevents misuse by causing withdrawal symptoms when injected, encouraging sublingual use as intended.
How to Take Suboxone Film Correctly
The correct usage and dosage of Suboxone strips are vital for its effectiveness. It’s typically prescribed as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes counseling and behavioral therapies.
Suboxone Use Procedure
Those using Suboxone film for opioid addiction treatment should follow these simple steps:
- Drink water before taking a Suboxone strip to moisten your mouth
- Place the film under your tongue until it is fully dissolved
- Do not eat or drink anything until the film is completely dissolved
- Do not cut, chew, swallow, or move the film after placing it under the tongue
- After the film has totally dissolved, take a sip of water, then swish gently around your teeth and gums and swallow. Wait at least one hour after dissolution before brushing your teeth.
Suboxone Dosage for Opioid Addiction Treatment
The exact dosage of Suboxone Sublingual film addiction treatment will differ based on the patient, as SaVida provides personalized recovery plans for all patients due to the nuance of addiction. However, there are general guidelines that apply to mostly all Suboxone dosing.
The following are the most common Suboxone Sublingual Film doses:
- For initial treatment of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD):
- Day 1: Up to 8 milligrams (mg) of buprenorphine and 2 mg of naloxone in divided doses.
- Day 2: Up to 16 mg of buprenorphine and 4 mg of naloxone taken as a single dose. If you have been taking methadone, heroin, short-acting, or long-acting opioid addiction treatment medicines, your doctor may recommend you to take buprenorphine by itself.
- For long-term treatment of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD):
- 4 milligrams (mg) of buprenorphine and 1 mg of naloxone to 24 mg of buprenorphine and 6 mg of naloxone taken as a single dose every day.
Suboxone Interactions With Other Drugs
For addicts who are considering taking Suboxone to treat opioid addiction, it is important to consider some of the reactions that can occur between Suboxone and other substances. Using Suboxone with any of the following medications is not recommended:
- Bepridil
- Cisapride
- Dronedarone
- Fluconazole
- Isocarboxazid
- Ketoconazole
- Levoketoconazole
- Mesoridazine
- Naltrexone
- Phenelzine
- Pimozide
- Piperaquine
- Posaconazole
- Safinamide
- Samidorphan
- Saquinavir
- Sparfloxacin
- Terfenadine
- Tranylcypromine
- Ziprasidone
Side Effects of Suboxone Sublingual Film for Addiction Treatment
Along with its top tier treatment of opioid addiction, Suboxone does come with some side effects. It is important to note that not all of these effects are guaranteed to occur, but you should contact your doctor immediately if they do.
These are the most common Suboxone side effects:
- Chills
- cough
- feeling faint, dizzy, or lightheaded
- feeling of warmth or heat
- fever
- flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck
- headache
- hoarseness
- lower back or side pain
- painful or difficult urination
- sweating
The Role of Suboxone Sublingual Film in Addiction Recovery
Suboxone Sublingual Film plays a pivotal role in the substance abuse recovery process, offering a manageable way to overcome opioid dependence. It allows individuals to function normally in their daily lives, attend therapy, and rebuild their lives without the constant battle against withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
Suboxone Sublingual Film represents a significant advancement in MAT for opioid addiction. Its ease of use, effectiveness, and role in supporting long-term recovery make it a valuable tool in the fight against the opioid epidemic.
If you or a loved one are considering Suboxone Sublingual Film as part of your recovery journey, consult with a SaVida Heath addiction specialist to determine if it’s the right choice for you.
SaVida Offers Personalized Addiction Treatment
SaVida Health outpatient rehab centers are committed to providing innovative and compassionate care for those struggling with substance use disorders. Find the Savida Health closest to you today to learn more about how we can support your journey to recovery.
SaVida Health addiction rehab centers and suboxone clinics also provide behavioral counseling, dual-diagnosis treatment for simultaneous addictions and mental health conditions, and accept Medicaid, Medicare, and most private insurance plans, including Aetna, Cigna, and Humana.
SaVida Health has a number of substance abuse rehab clinics for your recovery needs in the following states. Find the rehab facility closest to you!
- Outpatient Suboxone Treatment in Delaware
- Suboxone Clinics in Maine
- Outpatient Rehab / Suboxone Facilities in Massachusetts
- Suboxone Treatment in New Hampshire
- Outpatient Addiction Rehab in Vermont with Suboxone Treatment
- Suboxone Rehab Centers in Virginia
- Opiate Addiction Treatment Facilities in Tennessee