Prescription medication · Partial Opioid Agonist / Antagonist

buprenorphine/naloxone

Also sold as Suboxone. Suboxone film is used to treat opioid dependence.

Data updated 2026-05-15

788
FDA reports
19
InteractionsSeveral interactions
$17.24
Brand price (NADAC)

What the data shows

buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) is a prescription Partial Opioid Agonist / Antagonist, with 788 FDA adverse-event reports on file, with 19 documented drug interactions.

Reporting volume reflects how widely a drug is used and studied, not how dangerous it is, a FAERS report documents a temporal association, never proof of cause.

buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) is a prescription Partial Opioid Agonist / Antagonist. Suboxone film is used to treat opioid dependence.

Suboxone film contains buprenorphine and naloxone. It is used to treat opioid dependence as part of a complete treatment plan.

Verify with FDA → · CMS NADAC pricing →

Drug Pricing (NADAC)

Brand Price

$17.24/unit

Generic Available

No

Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →

Compare with Another Drug →

What it does

Suboxone film is used to treat opioid dependence.

Common side effects

Mouth numbness, Tongue pain, Mouth redness

Key warnings

Buprenorphine can be abused, like other opioids.

The sections below are summarized in plain English from buprenorphine/naloxone's FDA-approved prescribing information. They describe what the official label says, and are not personal medical advice.

How It Works

Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, meaning it has some opioid effects. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist, which blocks the effects of opioids. Together, they help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms without causing a strong "high."

Side Effects (from patient reports)

Based on 788 FDA adverse event reports.

Most-reported reactions

Adverse reactions in FAERS for buprenorphine/naloxone, by number of reports

reports

What this shows Bars show how often each reaction was reported, not how likely it is to happen, a report records a temporal association, never proof that the drug caused it.

Source FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS)

Serious Warnings

Buprenorphine can be abused, like other opioids. Taking Suboxone with other depressants like alcohol or benzodiazepines can cause serious breathing problems, coma, or death. Keep Suboxone out of the reach of children, as it can cause severe breathing problems and death if they take it. Using opioids for a long time during pregnancy can cause withdrawal symptoms in the newborn.

Known Drug Interactions

minor gabapentin

Examples: Alcohol, benzodiazepines and other sedatives/hypnotics, anxiolytics, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, general anesthetics, antipsychotics, gabapentinoids (gabapentin or pregabalin), and other opioids.

Mechanism: These medicines are both sedatives that can slow down your breathing and brain activity. Using them together makes these side effects much stronger and more dangerous.

minor trazodone

Examples: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), triptans, 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, drugs that affect the serotonin neurotransmitter system (e.g., mirtazapine, trazodone, tramadol), certain muscle relaxants (i.e., cyclobenzaprine, metaxalone), monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (those intended to treat psychiatric disorders and also others, such as linezolid and intravenous methylene blue).

Mechanism: These drugs both increase a brain chemical called serotonin. Taking them at the same time can cause a dangerous buildup of serotonin in your body.

minor tramadol

Examples: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), triptans, 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, drugs that affect the serotonin neurotransmitter system (e.g., mirtazapine, trazodone, tramadol), certain muscle relaxants (i.e., cyclobenzaprine, metaxalone), monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (those intended to treat psychiatric disorders and also others, such as linezolid and intravenous methylene blue).

Mechanism: Both of these medicines affect serotonin levels and can cause heavy sedation. This increases the risk of a serious reaction called serotonin syndrome and can make you very sleepy.

minor cyclobenzaprine

Examples: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), triptans, 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, drugs that affect the serotonin neurotransmitter system (e.g., mirtazapine, trazodone, tramadol), certain muscle relaxants (i.e., cyclobenzaprine, metaxalone), monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (those intended to treat psychiatric disorders and also others, such as linezolid and intravenous methylene blue). Examples: cyclobenzaprine, metaxalone Diuretics Clinical Impact: Opioids can reduce the efficacy...

Mechanism: Both drugs can increase serotonin levels in your brain, which may cause a rare but serious reaction called serotonin syndrome.

minor pregabalin

Examples: Alcohol, benzodiazepines and other sedatives/hypnotics, anxiolytics, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, general anesthetics, antipsychotics, gabapentinoids (gabapentin or pregabalin), and other opioids.

Mechanism: These drugs both slow down your brain and breathing, which can make you very sleepy or cause dangerous breathing issues.

Check all your medications →

This is a plain-language summary of FDA-label interaction records and does not provide individual medication-combination directions.

Common Questions

Can I cut the film?
No, you must use the film whole.
How often should I take this medicine?
Take Suboxone film once a day.
What should I do if I feel like I'm going to overdose?
Use naloxone if you have it, and call for emergency help right away.
Can I drink alcohol while taking Suboxone?
No, drinking alcohol while taking Suboxone can cause serious side effects, including coma and death.
Will I experience withdrawal symptoms if I stop taking Suboxone?
Yes, you may experience withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking Suboxone. Talk to your doctor about slowly stopping the medicine.
Can my child accidentally take this medicine?
Yes, keep this medicine stored in a safe place out of reach of children, because it can cause breathing problems and death.
What if I have liver problems?
Tell your doctor if you have liver problems, as Suboxone may not be right for you.
Can I take other medications with Suboxone?
Some medicines can interact with Suboxone. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take.
What if I am allergic to buprenorphine or naloxone?
You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to buprenorphine or naloxone.
How will I know if the medicine is working?
You should experience reduced cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
What are the common side effects of buprenorphine/naloxone?
The registry lists Mouth numbness, Tongue pain, Mouth redness, Headache, Feeling sick to your stomach among the most-reported FAERS reaction terms for buprenorphine/naloxone. The compiled record contains 788 FDA adverse-event reports. These counts are not an individual symptom assessment.
Does buprenorphine/naloxone interact with other medications?
The registry has 19 documented interaction rows for buprenorphine/naloxone. Notable source-record pairings include gabapentin, trazodone, tramadol. These rows are not a complete medication review.
What drug class is buprenorphine/naloxone?
buprenorphine/naloxone belongs to the Partial Opioid Agonist / Antagonist drug class. It requires a prescription (Rx). Suboxone film is used to treat opioid dependence.
What pregnancy or breastfeeding source fields are listed for buprenorphine/naloxone?
The FDA label for buprenorphine/naloxone contains product-specific pregnancy or breastfeeding language. PlainMeds does not apply that source text to an individual.

Related Medications in Partial Opioid Agonist / Antagonist

Other drugs grouped near buprenorphine/naloxone - same-class peers and common alternatives.

acamprosate

Campral

Acamprosate is a medicine that can help you stay away from alcohol if you are alcohol-dependent and have already stopped drinking.

Compare with buprenorphine/naloxone →

alprazolam

Xanax

Alprazolam (Xanax) is a medication that can help you with anxiety and panic disorders.

Compare with buprenorphine/naloxone →

amitriptyline

Elavil

Amitriptyline is a medicine used to treat depression.

Compare with buprenorphine/naloxone →

amphetamine/dextroamphetamine

Adderall, Adderall XR

Adderall XR is a stimulant medicine.

Compare with buprenorphine/naloxone →

aripiprazole

Abilify

Aripiprazole (Abilify) is a medicine used to treat certain mental disorders and mood problems.

Compare with buprenorphine/naloxone →

Compare buprenorphine/naloxone vs acamprosate side-by-side →

Medication Guides

Understanding Drug Interactions

How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications

Generic vs Brand Name Drugs

FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters

Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs

FDA bioequivalence and label-record context for narrow therapeutic index medicines

Common Drug Interactions

Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself

Save on buprenorphine/naloxone

Compare prices and find discounts at pharmacies near you. Free coupons can save up to 80% on prescriptions.

Check Prices on GoodRx →

Disclosure: This link may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. See our terms.

What the FDA Data Shows for buprenorphine/naloxone

The FDA label for buprenorphine/naloxone (sold under brand names such as Suboxone) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Partial Opioid Agonist / Antagonist class. Suboxone film is used to treat opioid dependence. Official labeling lists 12 commonly reported side effects, including Mouth numbness, Tongue pain, Mouth redness.

Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 788 voluntary reports. The database also lists 19 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated minor severity. NADAC pricing from CMS.

Report counts do not establish causation, a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information are separate source-record fields. This page is a public FDA/CMS registry and does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions.

Data Sources

Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).

FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. This registry does not provide medication decisions.

Last updated: December 22, 2025

PlainMeds is rendered directly from FDA openFDA/FAERS extracts, DailyMed labels, and CMS drug-pricing files, no number is typed in by an editor. FAERS counts, recalls, shortages, and price figures on this page are queried live from those federal extracts. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026-05-15. Primary sources: openFDA / FAERS, DailyMed and CMS Part B ASP.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled from the source snapshot dated . See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a data issue.

All federal data sources used on this page