Suboxone is a brand-name oral film prescribed to treat opioid dependence. It contains the active drugs buprenorphine and naloxone. Suboxone may not be safe to take during pregnancy but may safe to take during breastfeeding.

If you can become pregnant, it’s important to consider whether Suboxone is a safe choice for you.

Suboxone contains two drugs: buprenorphine and naloxone. Research is limited on how these two drugs might affect a human pregnancy.

Available clinical trials have not found congenital anomalies (also known as birth defects) or other effects on the fetus when buprenorphine was given during pregnancy. For naloxone, there’s not enough information available about its use during pregnancy to know its effects, if any.

Despite the limited research, it’s clear that taking Suboxone during pregnancy can cause a condition called neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome in newborns. Symptoms can include:

  • irritability
  • diarrhea
  • vomiting
  • excessive crying
  • trouble sleeping
  • failure to gain weight

In addition, people who take Suboxone while pregnant may need additional pain medication during labor and delivery. This is because Suboxone blocks the effects of opioid medications, which healthcare professionals may use during labor and delivery to help relieve pain.

The American Society of Addiction Medicine recommends treatment with methadone rather than Suboxone for pregnant people who are opioid dependent. They also recommend buprenorphine alone (not the Suboxone combination) as an alternative treatment.

Treatment for opioid dependence is still important if you’re pregnant. Untreated opioid dependence during pregnancy carries serious risks. It’s been linked with low birth weight, early (preterm) birth, and pregnancy loss.

If you’re pregnant and dependent on opioids, talk with your doctor. They can help you determine the best treatment for you during your pregnancy.

If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, it’s important to consider how Suboxone may affect you and your child.

Suboxone contains two drugs: buprenorphine and naloxone. These drugs are both thought to be safe to take during breastfeeding.

However, if you’re taking Suboxone and breastfeeding, it’s important to watch your child for side effects such as:

  • excessive sleepiness
  • failure to gain weight
  • inactivity or lethargy (lack of energy)
  • trouble breathing

If any of these symptoms occur, contact your doctor right away. If your child is not breathing or you cannot wake them, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Besides learning about how Suboxone may affect your reproductive health, you may want more information about Suboxone. These additional articles might be helpful:

  • More about Suboxone. For information about other aspects of Suboxone, refer to this article.
  • Side effects. To learn about side effects of Suboxone, see this article. You can also look at the Suboxone prescribing information.
  • Drug comparison. To find out how Suboxone compares with Sublocade, read this article.
  • Interactions. For details about what Suboxone interacts with, see this article.
  • Details about your condition. For details about opioid dependence, see this article.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.