Suboxone strips are FDA-approved dissolvable films used to treat opioid use disorder. They contain buprenorphine and naloxone, two medications that work together to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms while supporting long-term recovery. The strips dissolve under the tongue or inside the cheek and are prescribed as part of a broader treatment plan that may include counseling, peer support, and ongoing medical care. Suboxone films contain buprenorphine and naloxone as the active ingredients. They are available in easily dissolvable strips to be administered sublingually (under the tongue) or buccally (between the gums and the inner lining of the cheek).
Suboxone films contain the same ratio of active ingredients and are available in the same dosage as Suboxone pills. However, the misuse potential is relatively lower for Suboxone films compared to the tablet form as they cannot be crushed and snorted. Suboxone sublingual has also been observed to absorb more quickly and effectively than pills. Suboxone films can be prescribed by doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other medical professionals licensed to prescribe medications.
What Are Suboxone Strips?
Suboxone strips help individuals with opioid use disorder manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings as part of a medically supported recovery plan. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the buprenorphine in Suboxone is a partial opioid agonist medication that works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain to reduce withdrawal symptoms and opioid cravings. And naloxone, on the other hand, is an opioid antagonist (inhibitor) that works by blocking the effects of other opioids to reduce the risk of overdose and relapse. Both work together to help reduce withdrawal symptoms associated with opioid addiction and help individuals in recovery focus on other elements of their rehabilitation program.
How Are Suboxone Strips Taken?
Suboxone sublingual films are administered by either placing it under the tongue or the inner cheeks until it is completely dissolved. These strips generally take around six to 10 minutes to dissolve completely. If two strips are taken, the films should be placed on opposite sides under the tongue or inner cheeks without overlapping them. If more than two strips are taken, the next films should be placed after the first two have completely dissolved.
Suboxone sublingual film strips should not be chewed or swallowed whole. Doing so will not generate the desired effects as they are not designed to be split or broken. Suboxone films should also not be taken with benzodiazepines, alcohol, or other substances. People who take Suboxone with such substances are at higher risk of experiencing serious health effects, including overdose death.
How Are Suboxone Strips Taken?
| Feature | Suboxone Strips | Suboxone Tablets |
| How taken | Dissolves under tongue or cheek | Dissolves under tongue |
| Dosing accuracy | Often more precise | Slight variability |
| Taste | Mild | Bitter for some |
| Provider preference | Common | Less commonly prescribed |
Who Should Not Use Suboxone Strips?
The combination of buprenorphine and naloxone makes Suboxone films an excellent medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) as it possesses a low risk for addiction and misuse. However, Suboxone treatment may not be ideal for everyone with opioid dependence.
Suboxone films may not be recommended for people who are:
- Under the age of 16
- Allergic to buprenorphine or naloxone, or any other ingredient in the medication
- Have asthma or other serious breathing problems
- Have serious liver problems
It’s also important to talk to your healthcare provider if you have any of the following health conditions:
- Thyroid problems
- Prostate problems
- Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
- Adrenal gland problems such as Addison’s disease
- Kidney problems
- Kyphoscoliosis (hunchback disease)
- History of seizures
- Severe mental health issues such as depression or anxiety disorder
- Head injuries or brain tumor
Your healthcare provider can help you by adjusting your Suboxone dosage or provide you with an alternative treatment.
Is Suboxone the Right Treatment Option for Me?
Suboxone strips are commonly prescribed to help people manage opioid use disorder by reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
Suboxone may be an option if you:
- Are experiencing opioid withdrawal or cravings
- Want a treatment option that can be taken at home under medical guidance
- Are looking for support as part of a structured recovery plan
Suboxone isn’t appropriate for everyone. Medical history, other health conditions, and current substance use all play a role in determining the safest and most effective treatment.
A healthcare provider can help you understand whether Suboxone — or another treatment option — may be the right fit for your situation. Learn more about how Suboxone treatment works and what to expect during care.
Side Effects of Suboxone Film Strips
As with any medication, Suboxone can also cause a few negative side effects. Suboxone side effects tend to be mild and are most often similar to opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Some of the common side effects of Suboxone include:
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Nervousness
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Headache
- Excessive sweating
- Dizziness
- Stomach cramps
- Muscle aches
- Joint pain
- Flu-like symptoms such as chills, fever, sore throat, runny nose, and watery eyes
In rare instances, Suboxone can also cause severe side effects. People are advised to contact their healthcare provider immediately if they experience any of the following side effects:
- Reduced sexual desire
- Slurred speech
- Extreme drowsiness
- Hives, rash, or itching
- Hallucinations
- Irregular menstruation
- Swelling of the face, hands, feet, or legs
- Breathing troubles
- Yellowing of the eyes or skin
It’s crucial to refrain from driving or partaking in any hazardous activities while on Suboxone until you know how Suboxone affects you.
How Long Do Suboxone Strips Stay in Your System?
The half-life of Suboxone’s active ingredient, buprenorphine, is estimated to be around 37 to 42 hours. Since it takes around five half-lives for a substance to completely leave the body, it may take around seven to nine days for buprenorphine to leave the body completely. However, as the liver breaks down buprenorphine into metabolites called norbuprenorphine with an estimated half-life of up to 150 hours, buprenorphine can remain detectable in the body for up to two weeks after the last dose.
The naloxone in the medication has a half-life of around two to 12 hours. Thus, it can stay in the body for up to 60 hours, although it generally clears well before buprenorphine.
Suboxone generally takes seven to nine days to leave the body completely. However, this may differ from person to person based on factors such as:
- Age
- Weight
- Metabolism Speed
- Frequency of Suboxone use
- Suboxone dosage
- Liver health
Suboxone Addiction
Although Suboxone is potentially addictive, the risk of Suboxone addiction is relatively low compared to addictions to other opioids. This risk is lowered because Suboxone does not generate as intense of a sedative effect as most opioids. In addition, it also generates a “ceiling effect” that makes it difficult to enhance its intoxicating effects by taking large doses of the medication. But since the buprenorphine in the medication can trigger withdrawal symptoms when Suboxone use is stopped abruptly, individuals are gradually tapered off the medication by medical professionals towards the end of treatment.
Suboxone has attracted numerous headlines for being a game-changer in the battle against opioid addiction. However, for Suboxone to be successful, it has to be provided in combination with other elements of a comprehensive treatment program such as counseling and behavioral therapy.
If you are seeking help with your loved one’s addiction, contact us today to speak with an addiction treatment specialist. Online addiction treatment programs can help you explore care options. Talk with a provider, and decide what support may be right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Suboxone Strips
Yes. Eleanor Health provides Suboxone treatment entirely through telehealth, so you don’t need to visit a clinic in person. During a video appointment, a licensed clinician will talk with you about your health history, opioid use, and treatment goals. If Suboxone is appropriate for your situation, your prescription can be sent electronically to your pharmacy.
Many people choose telehealth because it makes it easier to get care without taking time off work, finding transportation, or arranging childcare.
Many commercial insurance plans and Medicaid programs cover Suboxone treatment. Coverage varies by plan and state, but Eleanor Health will verify your benefits before your first appointment so you understand any potential costs upfront.
Suboxone strips are designed to dissolve under your tongue or inside your cheek. They should not be chewed, broken apart, or swallowed whole.
To take a strip, place it under your tongue or against the inside of your cheek and allow it to dissolve completely. Avoid eating or drinking until it has fully dissolved. Your clinician will explain exactly how to take your medication and answer any questions during your appointment.
Suboxone strips and tablets contain the same active ingredients, buprenorphine and naloxone, and both are effective for treating opioid use disorder.
The biggest differences come down to personal preference, pharmacy availability, and insurance coverage. Some people prefer strips because they dissolve quickly. Others prefer tablets. Your clinician can help determine which option makes the most sense for you.
When taken as prescribed, Suboxone is intended to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, not create a euphoric high.
Buprenorphine, the main medication in Suboxone, works differently than full opioid medications. It helps stabilize the brain’s opioid receptors while lowering the risk of misuse and overdose. For most people in treatment, the goal is to feel normal enough to focus on recovery, work, family, and everyday life.
There isn’t one answer that works for everyone.
Some people take Suboxone for months. Others benefit from treatment for several years or longer. The right timeline depends on your medical history, recovery goals, and overall health.
Your care team will work with you to determine what makes sense for your situation and will regularly reassess your treatment plan over time.
For many people, yes. Suboxone has been studied extensively and has been used safely for opioid use disorder treatment for many years.
Like any medication, it can cause side effects, but many people tolerate it well. Your clinician will monitor your progress and discuss any concerns that come up during treatment.
For people living with opioid use disorder, the risks associated with untreated addiction are often much greater than the risks associated with ongoing medication treatment.
Your first appointment is a video visit with a licensed clinician. You’ll talk about your health history, substance use, current medications, and what you’re hoping to get out of treatment.
You don’t need to have everything figured out before the appointment. The goal is simply to understand your situation and determine what kind of support may help.
If medication treatment is appropriate, your clinician will discuss next steps and create a care plan that fits your needs. Learn more about what your first appointment with Eleanor Health will be like.
