Buprenorphine/naloxone

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 13, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Cassipa
• Suboxone
• Zubsolv

Available Dosage Forms:

• Tablet
• Film

Therapeutic Class: Opioid Dependency

Pharmacologic Class: Opioid Agonist/Antagonist

Chemical Class: Opioid

Uses for buprenorphine/naloxone

Buprenorphine and naloxone sublingual tablet is used to treat opioid (narcotic) dependence or addiction. Buprenorphine and naloxone buccal film, sublingual film, or sublingual tablet is used for induction and maintenance treatment of opioid (narcotic) dependence. It should be used in patients who have already been treated with buprenorphine sublingual tablets.

When a narcotic medicine is used for a long time, it may become habit-forming, causing mental or physical dependence. Physical dependence may lead to withdrawal side effects if the narcotic is stopped suddenly. Severe withdrawal side effects can usually be prevented when a person is switched to buprenorphine and naloxone combination. It acts on the central nervous system (CNS) to help prevent the withdrawal side effects.

Buprenorphine/naloxone is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using buprenorphine/naloxone

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For buprenorphine/naloxone, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to buprenorphine/naloxone or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of buprenorphine and naloxone buccal film, sublingual film, or sublingual tablet in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of buprenorphine and naloxone combination in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney, liver, heart, or lung problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving buprenorphine and naloxone combination.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking buprenorphine/naloxone, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions hav...