I have been searching site after site looking for the answer on how to maximize Suboxone absorption and still all I have found is "tricks" and products that do not make a difference. I want to post this question and answer this question myself because I have finally found an answer. From an actual neurologist!! (I hope I spelled that correctly)
How do I maximize Suboxone absorption?
Question posted by sarrocks1 on 13 Dec 2009
Last updated on 9 August 2023
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
35 Answers Page 3
subzero58
14 May 2012
hi family,when i first found out about suboxone or subutex,the doctor who tought me the best way to achive max absorbtion is this: drinking hot liquid and holding it under my tongue.then dry out under it with a napkin.put the crushed up pill under tongue,lean foward so no syliva get swollowed,paint the inside of your mouth with your tongue. all this should take about 20-to 30 min. spitting or swollowing depends on if you get headaches,if you do spit if you dont swollow.the longer you hold it in your mouth the better the absorbtion.the only better way I have tryed is by mixing a little baking soda with the hot water it opens up all the pours in your mouth,but we dont always have the time to do all this,but the diffrence is that you can find the least amount of sub that will hold you for the longest time... pete
melissa82
14 May 2012
I have been on suboxone 8mg tablets for two years now. I don't like the strips at all. Anyways I agree that for each individual the answer will vary. I personally cant stand the taste and the method I use is I use a pill crusher to crush my pill , then I pour the whole crushed tab under my tongue and then I take a sip of warm/hot coffee and leave it under my tongue for 20 minutes and spit it out. This almost completely eliminates the taste so I can actually leave it in until it hurts to hold my mouth like that. Every other way ive ever tried doesn't work as well because the taste in my mouth makes me gag and sometimes even vomit... so the pill dissolves almost instantly and the taste is masked by sugary coffee. win.
subzero58
14 May 2012
hi melissa82. R/B Pharmaceuticals even states in there doctors version of their literature on Suboxone that the taste of Suboxone was put in there just to make people NOT LIKE THE TASTE. By doing this it keeps addicts from enjoying the ritual of taking this medication. Studies have been done on what makes addicts go back to doing drugs and it seems that whole process or ritual is very hard to break. From getting money all the way to having the right equipment is all the rituals an addict has to break to fully recover.
melissa82
14 May 2012
I still fully feel like an addict using suboxone. I feel like I can't believe doctors think this is better for me than opiates and that I can legally take this stuff and still pass any drug test for work cuz its prescribed. I feel like one day the doctors are gonna catch on that people actually enjoy the "high" from suboxone and most people on suboxone are still true drug addicts, it's just now a drug that is "ok" to take cuz a dr prescribes it. Which is the same way most people started on opiates in the first place,,, PRESCRIBED BY THEIR DOCTOR SO WE THOUGHT IT WAS OK, it's a viscous cycle
PeachesAL
12 Aug 2016
I have just started today my first time taking it... I am having problems with saliva in my mouth and worried it's not absorbing properly my dr told me today that I only need to hold it in for 5 mins... I am on the non generic brand btw--- and so as soon as I put it under my tongue in my mouth starts to water like crazy I put the timer on and wait five minutes I try to wait longer but I just end up swallowing it I feel really crappy right now and I'm looking on the site to see if anybody has tips on how to stop or a better method to dissolve it and enter my system better
grodriguez15
12 March 2017
I usually take my subscription after I use Listening mouthwash because the alcohol in it "driest out my saliva and I read somewhere that alcohol aids in absorption.
subuser31
14 Dec 2009
I agree, thank you for the post. I am a suboxone user and an ex-opiare abuser and have tried every way to get the most out of my suboxone and this is what works best for me. I think it is sometimes hard because I feel sick if it is too early in the morning and it seems to upset my stomach when it seems to take so so long to dissolve but when I dont take it the right length of time, it seems to make me get a tummy ache and most times I will puke and I gag from the taste of the Suboxone. I appreciate the help and acvice and also I thank mVPT who has helped me to feel better by taking the lesser dose and it works better for my body. I was taking 12mgs and weigh 130..I went down to 10mg, and the little amount made a huge difference, Does anyone ever skip there sub for a day?
sarrocks1
12 Jan 2010
Actually, I have skipped a full dose one day, actually, here and there I will skip a day so that they day after I skip the dose, I can FULLY enjoy sex with my girlfriend. I know alot of you all fell this way as well but when taking Suboxone regularly, my libido is significantly decreased... The only way I can really enjoy sex these days is to skip a full day. Which for me and most other Suboxone users, does not make any difference. Remember, Buprenorphine has a ~37 hour half life. From my own experience, I have gotten away from taking it for 2 days in a row without any significant withdrawl symptoms. Also, I take a high dose so I usually have NIGHTMARES EVERY NIGHT and OIC (opiod-induced constipation) which for me, can be helped by either skipping a dose or significantly lowering the dose temporarily. It's not easy remaining 100% comfortable while taking Suboxone but I do find ways to keep myself happy. I am glad you all like my post as it does hold alot of truth.
I am not switched to generic 8mg Buprenorphine - 10mg daily and it is half the price and for some reason twice as effective as Suboxone. I know, I know, Suboxone 8mg and Subutex 8gm have the same amount of Buprenorphine... Blah blah... I'm just saying for some reason, it is working better for me. Must be that pesky Naloxone!! Be safe everyone and hang in there, "never let go Jack, never let go!!" - LOL!(that was from "Titanic" i you didn't know already)
abm32129
3 Feb 2010
I have a side effect from Suboxone, that my doctor swears cannot be from the medicine. When I take it I sweat profusely. I am positive it is from bupes. This happens to my friend also. But, any discomfort or slight uncomfortable feeling is completely outweighed by the benefits of the medicine. I don't have the constant obsession going on in my brain, I am not withdrawing, I don't have the people, places, things, and chaos that goes with active heroin addiction, and I am not on methadone. With methadone I got high, so it just continued my addiction. I don't mind the taste, I don't mind waiting for it to kick in, I don't mind putting it under my tongue, I've done much worse with heroin. For me it is a miracle pill, and a little bit of sweat(and taking forever to pee) is okay with me. I am able to lead a full and productive life.
Tonygreergalaxy
24 Sep 2016
'abm32129'
I know this is an old post but i just wanted to say that i too have the sweat side effect. while on this med, i can sweat buckets. its almost embarrassing.
Bigone11
17 July 2017
The instructions I was told by my Dr is to drink some water a few minutes before taking strip swishing a little water and spitting out water to get the ph level correct then stick the strip letter side toward tongue for between 15 and 30 minutes and then swallow mine is usually dissolved in 15 to 20 minutes
sandeegts
29 Oct 2017
What a huge relief! I thought I was going thru some terrible illness with all the profuse sweating! Ty
Coltsfan0910
11 March 2018
It causes me to sweat when I'm sitting still and worse when I'm at work cleaning houses. It's embarrassing!!
Will84
5 March 2019
Do you drink alcohol?
Inactive
13 Dec 2009
Thanks so much for going thru the trouble of asking the question, finding the answer, and posting it. I knew that letting it dissolve as slow as possible seemed to work for me, but didn't know that it should take 30 minutes.I have also observed that, for me, it seems that it takes a full 2 hours for it to completely hit my system. I am continually disappointed that people who are prescribed suboxone are given very little information about all the little ins and outs of the drug. I was told it was non-addictive, apparently that is not true. I actually was told that it could cause sensory illusions and so many people aren't told that. I experience that effect full force the second day and luckily for me, I was attending a group counseling session with at least 12 other people who had been on it for longer than I had.
I think the key is that the doctors are being told how great it is by the company that makes it and they get all their info from the company but they are not taking it themselves and don't know what exactly it feels like. They are also not being told that it shouldn't take as much suboxone as they are prescribing to relieve the withdrawals. They are being told to tell patients to take lots more than they should, BY THE DRUG COMPANY and The DRUG REPS. It is frustrating and I hope all new users of suboxone see your post. Seriously, THANK YOU, big time. Patti
Dbluck
3 May 2018
Anonymous,
I know that your post was 9 years ago, but I quickly wanted to post and agree with you. Doctors are told what to believe by Reps, and Reps are there for one reason, to sell belief in the drug to the doctors, and in turn achieve more sales, PERIOD! I doubt that even 1 out of 100 pharm. Reps truly care about the patients receiving the medicine. It's a sad situation, and not because of the Reps, they are just doing their job, but because the doctors aren't doing their own research and in the end it's just all about the more green.
TJ11
11 June 2018
In my opinion, dissolve under your tongue for around 30 min, if your mouth is dry it's twice as long. If you feel a burning sensation on your tounge that's the golden ticket, that's how you wanna do it. Pills can be a pain, I suggest pressing your tounge on the pill that won't hurt it. I personally, hold my tounge right on the gum line or right on it with pills and strips it will dissolve into your tounge for sure that way. Hope this helps someone, also the wait 24 hours after opioids isn't always true. If you have withdrawal symptoms, your good to take it.
JessaP
6 Aug 2018
Yes I agree & thankful this is the first article with any truth , I am curious to know what the sensory illusions are? So thank you both for your post, Do you have an opinion on the film or tablets my insurance stopped and I probably have to get the pill bc they are cheaper 300$ compared to 400$ but I don’t want to compromise quality any feedback would be appreciated!
Yea yea
13 Aug 2018
that dumbass under your tongue bs, every time I put it under my tongue it ends up either stuck to my teeth or if I try to get it off ends up all over my tongue and in turn in the roof if my mouth and/or all over my teeth and tongue
BradshawLady
20 Nov 2018
I 100% agree with the lack of info given about how to take this drug. The most comprehensive education I have discovered comes from asking many sources. When i was prescribed the meds the Doc at the time did a better job teaching about it, then the one in detox from opoids. But i have learned as much and more from reading.
User1983
28 May 2019
You are absolutely correct on this I did this exactly how you said to do it and I felt the best I've ever felt on this so far you feel that burning hurting that means that it's going to hit you the best it possibly can but my problem is I can't get it in that spot to get that perfect absorption every time you know a trick for that
sarrocks1
13 Dec 2009
AFTER MONTHS OF SEARCHING FOR THE ANSWER AND GETTING NOTHING BUT OPINIONS FROM OTHER USERS, I HAVE SPOKE TO AN ACTUAL NEUROLOGIST ABOUT THIS AND HERE IS WHAT HIS ANSWER WAS:
"No matter what, 2 different people will take suboxone the same way and normally get 2 different results. So it is different for everyone. If one person says "hey, I took mine with excedrin and it worked so much better", this might be true for him, but for you, it might be a waste of time. What I can tell you is this: Put it under your tongue, wait for that potent taste to turn completely bitter (about 30min per 8mg), then SWALLOW. There are some people who swear that swallowing the Suboxone activates the Naloxone and makes you sick... blah blah... If you are one of these people, then spit. But swallowing the Suboxone will not make any difference. Besides, there are some <=1% buprenorphine left over after you dissolve for that long anyway.
So don't listen to all those know-it-all's on-line, put it under your tongue. wait a while. swallow. Keep it simple stupid."
==========
I guess he's right... I tried all these "accelorators" and tricks and games and still... back to just under the tongue, waiting as long as i can and swallowing.
I need to post this because SO MANY people are looking for the answer and I know a ton of people will look at this and have to put in their 2 cents... thats fine, but please consider the source and at least try this if you have'nt already. I hope this will help alot of you looking for the best way to squeeze each penny spent out of these distigustingly-expensive pills.
myankee10
25 Oct 2010
dear, you r 100 % correct. maybe im lucky,as some nites i forget to pt 3--- 8mgs under tonuge,as im quite disabled at 57,n damit,i kicked opioids, heavy 10 yr useage,n now im bitten by xanax... three 1mg daily although i want a 4 th.told my medical psych,im ready to get off,n she warned me... its a bitch,but soon ill try.god bless
jolter
14 May 2012
Just thought I,d throw in my drs. instructions. Sit down, place under tongue, close mouth, tilt head forward if you want. Sit there quietly for 5 mins. After that spit or swallow then don,t eat, drink or smoke for another 5 mins.
tlskdsals
7 Dec 2016
Thank you for posting this, I'm looking for the right way to take it to and there are so many different opinions.
Grebbox
15 May 2017
Thanks for the info! It takes me forever I thought till I did some reading on it. I didn't know you weren't allowed to swallow till it was completely desollved. I take 2 doses separately, 6 × 2mg tables at a time. And I sit there for almost an hour most days! I'll try taking one 8mg tablet at a time tomorrow, and not swallow during the desollving process. But that sure is a long time to hold in all that saliva haha..
:) thanks again!!
Chubby1
20 June 2017
Seems right,logical.Your letting it absorb slowly,not swallowing saliva into stomach which defeats purpose of absorbing through membranes of mouth.Hey,just thought of that song-insane in the membrane,going insane,got no brain!
darkcarny420
9 Sep 2017
Neurontin also works
schooleycj
4 Nov 2017
R U saying that you wait 30min for 8 mg to dissolve? I'm trying to understand.
Luvurbody
9 June 2018
I seem to feel as though putting rough side up under my tongue doesn't leave a bad taste but that's me and being on this for years. I never spit but I do swallow with a drink.
welob77
22 July 2018
I know this post is old but I stumbled upon it today so maybe my comment will help someone else. Honest, I will put it under tongue and hold it at least 20 min, I know it sounds long but I keep myself busy and as I go to swallow I sip a coffee behind it. Not a full gulp, and if need be I sip another. Coffee immediately takes the taste away. I wold wait to smoke for sure. Smoking, from what I understand will tighten up veins in your mouth and because the suboxone is absorbed in the veins under your tongue it can't be good to smoke soon after taking it. I am not a professional but I have been taking subs this way for 7 years.
Qwk69buick
17 Aug 2018
This is for jolter, your Dr gave you bad info, you need to keep it in your mouth for a minimum of 20 minutes. I have found though it sounds disgusting, after 20 minutes I spit into an old med bottle, after 3 doses, I get a good 4th one by reusing the spit for another 20 minutes, I refrigerate it of course. There is still a lot of buprenorphine left after 20 minutes, not 1%, more like 30 to 40%
Susan802
23 Sep 2018
You say this was a neurologist ? Called you stupid last word in there was stupid wow ! How professional even though it did make sense very rude to talk to you that way.
Susan802
23 Sep 2018
Now in previous it said per neurologist 30 minutes I dont think anyone has had just one amount of time to leave it there and omg the little white ones in foil are the nastiest tasting thing I have ever had
PerryJr
20 Dec 2018
Ok I can go for what your saying as that's how I administer my medicine as well, but what if it's the strips not the pills? Would it still work the same OR BETTER if instead of putting under the tongue if u took it in your cheek(buccal)
?? I'm only asking because my dose doesn't last me like it use to too, I've been on 2.5 I'm gonna strips for about 11months now give or take... I have been starting to get that feeling within my legs and just that yucky feeling in my body period towards the evening time and would just like to know if it made ANY longterm difference if I took it that way instead?! T.I.A
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