Suboxone overdose symptoms are very similar to the overdose symptoms for other opiates. The Suboxone is actually in the opiate family, but it is used to treat long-term opiate addicts. The drug is a combination of two medications, naloxone and buprenorphine, that block the opiate in the nervous system. Together, the drugs work to appease the physical and psychological dependence that opiate addiction brings, without the feelings of euphoria or the high. It allows the addict to kick the habit more easily. Suboxone only works if it is used as the doctor instructed. When the drug is abused, an overdose can occur.
In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that overdose was common amongst opiate addicts. A 2004 CDC study of opiate drugs users found that 64.6 percent had witnessed an overdose and 34.6 percents had experienced an overdose. Such numbers have led to better outreach programs, emergency response practices and drugs to helps those experiencing an overdose. However, these growing public programs and policies only work if you know how to spot Suboxone overdose symptoms early.
Overdose Causes
The Suboxone overdose symptoms are brought on by improper use of the drug. Doctors prescribe the Suboxone in pill form. The pills are placed under the tongue at the same time each day. The doctor may increase or decrease dosages, but only she can do so. In addition to the strict use regimen, opiate addicts are also warned against using other drugs with the Suboxone. It is a depressant, like other opioid drugs, despite the muted high. Pairing Suboxone with other opiates, alcohol or any other drugs overloads the body systems, leading to an overdose.
Addicts can also exhibit signs of an overdose on Suboxone when they increase the dosage without the doctor’s consent or knowledge. Again, the muted effects of Suboxone make it easy to abuse, if that is the addict’s intent. If you or someone you know is abusing Suboxone, seek medical attention before the Suboxone overdose symptoms appear.
Signs of an Overdose on Suboxone
After using Suboxone with another drug, (especially heroin, Valium or alcohol) or abusing Suboxone alone, the addict will start to feel the signs of the overdose. They include:
- Vomiting
- Seizure
- Confusion
- Shallow breathing
- Clammy skin
- Uncontrollable drowsiness
- Vertigo
- Pupils the size of pen points
The signs of an overdose on Suboxone are often mistaken for overdose of an opiate like heroin, morphine or OxyContin. One of the key pieces of information to give emergency responders is the name Suboxone. The emergency response technicians must know about the Suboxone to treat the overdose properly.
Suboxone Overdose Treatment
Emergency responders have a first priority to re-establish normal breathing (or breathing normal enough to bring oxygen into the body). The overdose patient receives 100 percent oxygen through a mask or tube placed down the throat (done only in very extreme cases). Once the addict is breathing, the next step is preventing the opiates in Suboxone from harming the body further. An injection of an opiate antagonist like Naltrexone is used to block the opiate. All of this is done before the overdose patient reaches the hospital.
Further treatment depends on the amount of drugs taken and the types of drugs taken along with the Suboxone. Suboxone overdose patients may have their stomached pumped after ingesting activated charcoal. Intravenous drugs, and even laxatives are also treatment options. Recovery will entail a new antagonist treatment for the opiate addiction. The addict will also receive treatment for the opiate withdrawals that occur during Suboxone overdose recovery. Then, it is time for an opiate drug treatment program. Contact a treatment facility near you to find the resources and support needed to get through this stage of drug treatment.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Community-Based Opiod Prevention Programs Providing Naloxone.
Drugs.com. Suboxone
