Suboxone can interact with several different antibiotics. Those interactions can be dangerous, and in some cases, they can be life-threatening.[3]
Always tell your doctors that you’re taking Suboxone. When you fill your prescription, tell the pharmacist, too. These reminders can ensure your healthcare providers check for medication interactions before you take your first pill.
An antibiotic is a medicine designed to combat bacterial infections. Before antibiotics were developed, the average life expectancy at birth was 47 years old. Infectious diseases like pneumonia and diphtheria were widespread. Antibiotics enabled people to overcome common illnesses and lead longer, healthier lives.[4]
While antibiotics are helpful, they can cause side effects and interact with some medications. Overuse of antibiotics in the population can also lead to resistant strains of infection that are harder to treat.[4] For these reasons, antibiotics should be used sparingly.
Suboxone is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD).
Suboxone contains the following two ingredients:[5]
When used as directed, Suboxone is a safe and effective treatment for OUD. However, anyone using this medication should add other substances carefully. Suboxone can interact with many types of drugs, such as antibiotics and benzodiazepines.[5] Never use another medication with Suboxone without asking your doctor first.
Some antibiotics can interact with Suboxone and cause life-threatening reactions.[3] The liver is to blame for these problems.
The buprenorphine in Suboxone is metabolized in the liver through the enzyme CYP3A4. Some antibiotics inhibit the liver’s ability to produce this enzyme. When that happens, buprenorphine levels build up within the body.[2]
Symptoms of this side effect can include sedation, slow breathing, and blue-tinged skin and lips. Anyone who feels very sedated while using Suboxone should contact a doctor immediately. If the person is unconscious, call 911 and ask the operator for help.
Antibiotics that can increase the effects of Suboxone include the following:[1, 2]
Hundreds of different types of antibiotics are available.[6] If you’re using Suboxone, some of them may interact with your medication. Others may not.
Your doctor and pharmacist will check your medication for known interactions with Suboxone. The team can find solutions that are right for your infection and medication routine. Ensure that they have all of the information they need about your Suboxone, so they can make the right choice for you.
Suboxone interacts with several different types of medications, including benzodiazepines, antiretrovirals and some antidepressants.[5] Ensure that your doctor and pharmacist know you’re using Suboxone before filling a prescription for any other type of medication, and never add anything to your medicine cabinet without asking your doctor first.
Peter Manza, PhD received his BA in Psychology and Biology from the University of Rochester and his PhD in Integrative Neuroscience at Stony Brook University. He is currently working as a research scientist in Washington, DC. His research focuses on the role of the brain dopamine system in substance use disorders and in aging. He also studies brain function in obesity and eating disorders.
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