Suboxone comes in two dissolving formulations: tablets and films. Both are dissolved under the tongue or cheek (“sublingually”). This usually takes anywhere from 1-10 minutes. Afterward, people may notice a small amount of residue under the tongue which can have an unpleasant flavor or consistency. First-time Suboxone users sometimes worry about spitting or swallowing this residue, but either one is safe. Some people prefer the “Suboxone spit trick” of spitting out the residue, which may help reduce the aftertaste. People also self-report that the Suboxone spit trick helps decrease the risk of side effects like migraines and constipation.
Suboxone is the brand name combination of buprenorphine (a partial opioid agonist) and naloxone (an opioid antagonist that minimizes the risk of overdose).[2]
Buprenorphine controls drug cravings and can help you avoid withdrawal symptoms that could trigger a relapse. This medication is powerful but can be a little tricky to get the hang of how to take it.
If you have been prescribed Suboxone as a Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT), it is essential to take it as directed.
Your physician will provide you with specific advice, but in general, follow these steps per the product you’re provided:[1]
When the medication is in place, hold your mouth firmly closed and wait for the medication to dissolve—usually anywhere from 1 to 10 minutes. Try not to move the dose around in your mouth and avoid talking or eating. Don’t chew or suck on the tablet or strip as this can negatively affect absorption and efficacy.
People taking Suboxone should let their doses melt completely before eating drinking water, or otherwise opening their mouths.[1] If you take your Suboxone dose properly, you shouldn’t have much residue left over. However, the naloxone component of Suboxone is not dissolved in the mouth, and so some people notice a little bit of residue even once the strip is fully dissolved. This residue can have a bitter taste.
If you do have residue, you can either spit out the residue—known as the Suboxone spit trick—or swallow it with a sip of water. The choice is up to you—both are safe. Some people don’t like the taste of the residue or they feel it bothers their stomach in which case they prefer to spit it out. Others don’t mind swallowing it.
In the so-called “Suboxone spit trick,” people using Suboxone will wait until their medication is fully dissolved and then spit out the residue, rinse, and spit again.
If your mouth feels sticky, chalky, or dry after using your medication, this could be a good option for you. Likewise, if you dislike the aftertaste, this could help minimize it. Just make sure you wait until your medication is fully dissolved, which can be up to 10 minutes for some people.
People who take Suboxone and use the spit trick report that it helps reduce side effects, such as:
As long as you wait for your Suboxone to fully dissolve before spitting out the residue, there is no harm in trying this strategy to see how it works for you.
People following the FDA’s recommendation swish water around in their mouths and swallow the residue after their doses have completely dissolved.[4]
This method won’t get you high or make you sick. And it could help with any chalky taste too.
Buprenorphine products can be hard on your oral health, causing low saliva levels/dry mouth in the short term and potentially tooth decay in the long term (usually over the course of years).
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends the following to help protect your oral health long-term: [4]
Unlike most pills which absorb well through the stomach lining, only about 10% of an oral dose of Suboxone gets absorbed through the stomach, but up to 55% is absorbed through oral membranes.[3]
For this reason, it comes in a tablet/strip to be dissolved in the mouth so that it becomes more “bioavailable” (more of it is actually absorbed and can act in the body).
You should avoid the following:
Suboxone doesn’t absorb well through the stomach. It may cause you to feel some nausea or upset stomach if the dose is accidentally swallowed. Most importantly, you will likely not get adequate relief from the medication if the dose is swallowed, meaning you may still experience opioid withdrawal symptoms or opioid cravings.
While oral bioavailability is low, it’s not zero. If children or pets who have never used buprenorphine swallow your Suboxone, they could get very sick. [5] If there has been accidental ingestion of your Suboxone, go to the emergency room immediately.
Keep your medications in a safe, secure location locked away from others inside your home.
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.
Our science-backed approach boasts 95% of patients reporting no withdrawal symptoms at 7 days. We can help you achieve easier days and a happier future.
Get Startedor book an enrollment call
