How Long After Taking Suboxone Can You Drink Alcohol?
Do not drink alcohol while you are on Suboxone. Its FDA Medication Guide says you should not drink alcohol or take medicines that contain alcohol while taking Suboxone, because this can lead to loss of consciousness or even death; the prescribing information says alcohol and other CNS depressants with buprenorphine increase the risk of slowed breathing, profound sedation, coma and death. The label gives no safe waiting time, so ask your prescriber.
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Can you drink alcohol while taking Suboxone?
No. Suboxone contains buprenorphine (a partial opioid agonist) and naloxone. Its FDA-approved label is direct:
- Medication Guide: you should not drink alcohol or take prescription or over-the-counter medicines that contain alcohol while taking Suboxone, because this can lead to loss of consciousness or even death.
- Prescribing information: because of additive effects, using benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants, including alcohol, with buprenorphine increases the risk of respiratory depression (slowed breathing), profound sedation, coma and death.
How long after taking Suboxone can you drink?
The label gives no waiting time that makes drinking safe, and Suboxone is usually taken once a day as an ongoing treatment. If you plan to stop Suboxone or are thinking about drinking, talk to your prescriber first; do not stop or change your dose on your own.
Signs of a dangerous reaction
The Medication Guide warns that Suboxone with alcohol can cause severe drowsiness, decreased awareness, breathing problems, coma and death, and lists breathing slower than normal among the signs to watch for. If someone is hard to wake or breathing slowly, call 911.
Medicines that contain alcohol
Some cough syrups and other liquid medicines contain alcohol (the NIAAA says up to 10 percent). The Suboxone Medication Guide includes these in its warning, so check labels or ask a pharmacist.
Help with drinking: SAMHSA National Helpline 1-800-662-4357 (free, confidential).
People also ask
Can you drink alcohol on Suboxone?
No. The FDA Medication Guide says not to drink alcohol while taking Suboxone because it can lead to loss of consciousness or even death.
How long after Suboxone can I drink alcohol?
The label gives no safe waiting time. Talk to your prescriber before drinking or stopping Suboxone.
What happens if you mix Suboxone and alcohol?
The label warns of slowed breathing, profound sedation, coma and death because the effects add up.
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