Do the Effects of Suboxone Use Outweigh the Effects of Opioid Use?
If you’re addicted to opioids, you may have been considering using suboxone to stave off your cravings. Suboxone is a drug comprised of buprenorphine and naloxone and is the first oral medication that has been approved by the FDA for helping people addicted to opioids. However, because suboxone is a prescription medication, it does come with some scary side effects. The effects of suboxone use can sometimes seem worse than the effects of opioid use, which might make it seem like less of a glamorous option for curbing your addiction.
If you need more help deciding if suboxone is the right treatment option for you, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 888-646-0865 (Who Answers?) . Our experts can talk with you more about potential side effects and benefits of suboxone treatment.
How Does Suboxone Work?
Nausea and the inability to sleep are possible suboxone side effects.
Suboxone is actually comprised of a partial opioid known as buprenorphine. Because of this, it mimics the effects of opioid use on a much lower level by making your brain think you are taking opioids.
In fact, suboxone actually blocks the effects of other opioids, making it harder to get high and eliminating cravings and other withdrawal symptoms. In this way, it helps you lower your physical dependency on other opioids so you can wean yourself off them.
Typically, suboxone is taken once a day until a person begins to experience a leveling off of side effects. Eventually, you may just need to take one pill every other day until you are no longer in danger of relapsing.
What Are the Side Effects of Suboxone Use?
Because suboxone is tricking your brain into thinking it’s getting opioids, many of its side effects are similar to that of opioid use. They can include:
- Feeling achy
- Feeling nauseous or constipated
- Being unable to sleep
- Being moody or irritable
- Having a fever
Some people may also feel more tired than usual or feel dizzy. In rare cases, a person may develop serious side effects involving the liver. These include:
- Dark colored urine
- Yellow eyes or skin
- Bowel movements that are light in color
- A bad stomachache that won’t go away
However, these side effects are generally very rare and do not occur in most people.
What Are the Most Difficult to Deal with Suboxone Side Effects?
What Are the Side Effects of Opioid Use?
Opioids work by attaching to proteins in the body, reducing how you feel pain and leading to myriad side effects. These can include:
- Feeling nauseous or constipated
- Being mentally confused
- Feeling tired
- Slower breathing and heart rate
- Sleep apnea
- Lower hormonal levels, affecting sex drive and function
- Osteoporosis
- Tooth decay
Opioids are a great tool for pain relief when used in small doses on an infrequent basis. However, when opioids are abused, they can cause accidental death by overdose. Additionally, because opioids are addictive, you will experience increased tolerance the more you take, making it easier to suffer an accidental overdose and more severe side effects.
Suboxone Effects Do Not Outweigh Opioid Effects
In conclusion, the side effects of suboxone use definitely do not outweigh the risks associated with opioid use. Even a small overdose of opioids can cause death, while suboxone has no risk of death.
While some people may experience more severe side effects than others when taking suboxone, overall it is a safe drug to help you curb your opioid addiction. Additionally, most side effects diminish in intensity after a short period of time as your brain adjusts, meaning you only suffer from minimal discomfort.
If you’re ready to take the next step and talk to someone about getting a suboxone prescription, please call our hotline at 888-646-0865 (Who Answers?) . One of our treatment experts can talk with you about your options and answer any more questions you might have about the effects of suboxone use.
