Can You Do Other Drugs on Top of Suboxone?

Every prescription medication comes with warnings and side effects. It is important to heed these warnings, as to not risk dangerous and even fatal consequences that could occur. This is why your doctor or a medical professional at a treatment facility will ask you if you are on any other medication. Suboxone is a drug that is a combination of Buprenorphine and naloxone. It contains an opioid, used to induce an opioid-like high without the rewarding effects. Suboxone is primarily used to help with opioid withdrawal. Since it contains an opioid, it can be life-threatening if you choose to take other drugs.

Drugs That Have Especially Bad Interactions With Suboxone

You will want to avoid these drugs specifically if you are on Suboxone because they have the most life-threatening risks associated with them.

• Benzodiazepines – People with an anxiety disorder will most often be prescribed a “benzo”. They are prescribed to slow down the central nervous system. Buprenorphine also functions as a depressant, meaning the increased sedation can cause a coma, seizures, or even death.
• Cocaine – Cocaine is a stimulant, which means it works the opposite as the Buprenorphine in the Suboxone. It can cause withdrawal symptoms to appear and counteract the drug. Another, much more dangerous risk is that someone taking cocaine and Suboxone have a greater chance of overdosing.
• Alcohol – Alcohol also depresses the central nervous system. Alcohol poses one of the greater risks because it is readily available to almost anyone and drinking can sometimes be seen as a “normalized” behavior. However, since taking alcohol and Suboxone doubles a user’s depressant intake, it can cause fatal side effects such as respiratory failure.

Talk To Someone About Your Cravings

While suboxone can alleviate some withdrawal symptoms, you may still notice that you crave other drugs or even alcohol. If you notice these cravings persisting, it is important to talk to your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor may need to reassess your needs and move you to a different prescription. You can also call local outpatient centers or support groups to drop in for a few meetings. These support groups will give you personal insight and guidance to stay on the right path.

Do Not Smoke, Snort, or Inject Suboxone

In pill form, Suboxone works by satisfying the addict’s need for a high and also renders opioids ineffective to the brain. When Suboxone’s form is changed, the drug itself changes and produces different results. Crushing, dissolving, or injecting Suboxone stops the Buprenorphine from working properly. The naloxone will be released, completely neutralizing any high received and make the drug not function properly. When Suboxone is not taken as prescribed, users can experience swelling, difficulty swallowing, facial pain and muscle spasms and could even overdose. Always use Suboxone as prescribed by your doctor.

 

Sources

[1] Warning: 3 Dangerous Suboxone Interactions to Avoid. (2019, May 14). Retrieved from https://drugabuse.com/warning-3-dangerous-suboxone-interactions-to-avoid/