Can You Take Adipex With Suboxone?

Yes, you can generally take Adipex (phentermine) with Suboxone.

The primary concern with taking Adipex if on Suboxone is in relation to any potential misuse that could occur. Someone on Suboxone has a history of an opioid use disorder, and Adipex has the potential for misuse.

Make sure to consult your doctor before taking any medication. Each doctor who is prescribing you any medication should be aware of all medications you take.

Adipex Prescription

Adipex is a brand name of the generic medication phentermine, an amphetamine-like substance that is prescribed for weight loss.[1] It generally works like other amphetamines to suppress appetite and aid in weight loss [2]

A doctor may prescribe a patient Adipex to support their weight loss. It is to be used in conjunction with other means, such as nutritional changes and exercise.

Are There Interactions Between Suboxone & Adipex?

There are no known interactions between Suboxone and Adipex.[3] In fact, it’s not uncommon for a doctor to prescribe Adipex or another form of phentermine to a patient who is taking Suboxone.

What Are the Risks of Taking Suboxone & Adipex Together?

As an amphetamine-like substance, Adipex has the potential for misuse.

Similar to other stimulants, people can experience a high when they misuse these medications. When misused, users may experience euphoria, increased self-esteem, improved mental performance, and less need for sleep.[4]

The prescription information for phentermine advises those with a history of drug misuse to not take the medication.[1] This is advised to mitigate the misuse potential of the medication.

However, many doctors do prescribe both Adipex and Suboxone to their patients. The misuse potential is evaluated on an individual basis. If you have a strong footing in recovery and have been stable on Suboxone, the likelihood of you misusing Adipex is low and most doctors would feel comfortable prescribing it at the same time as Suboxone.

The Importance of Ongoing Medical Supervision

If your doctor determines it is appropriate to prescribe you Adipex while you are on Suboxone, they’ll supervise your prescriptions. While stimulant prescriptions for those with opioid use disorder are associated with a moderate increase in overdose risk, they are also linked with increased retention with buprenorphine treatment.[5]

If you experience any cravings to misuse phentermine, talk to your doctor. They may determine that an alternative medication may work better for you.

Tell your treatment team that you’ll be taking Adipex to aid your weight loss efforts, so they are ready to support you.

Sources

1. Adipex-P. Drugs.com. https://www.drugs.com/adipex.html. Accessed July 2022.
2. Long-Term Drug Treatment for Obesity: A Systematic and Clinical Review. JAMA. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3928674/. April 2014). Accessed July 2022.
3. Suboxone and Phentermine Drug Interactions: A Phase IV Clinical Study of FDA Data. eHealthMe. https://www.ehealthme.com/drug-interaction/suboxone/phentermine/. Accessed July 2022.
4. Drug Fact Sheet: Stimulants. Department of Justice/Drug Enforcement Administration. https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Stimulants-2020.pdf. April 2020. Accessed July 2022.
5. Stimulant Prescriptions Medication Among Persons Receiving Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder With Prior Drug-Related Poisoning — Evidence of a Net Sum Gain. JAMA. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2792180. May 2022. Accessed July 2022.