Can you take Suboxone right after you eat?

Quick Answer

You shouldn't take Suboxone right after eating or drinking. Because Suboxone is absorbed under the tongue, food and liquid can wash the dissolving medication away before your body takes it in—lowering the dose you actually receive. The simple fix is the 'Rule of 15': wait at least 15 minutes after eating or drinking before dosing, and another 15 minutes after before you eat or drink again.

How does Suboxone get into your system?

Suboxone may be taken buccally (inside the cheek) or sublingually (under the tongue) and is available as a tablet or film. If more than one film is prescribed, it should be taken as prescribed (inside the cheek or under the tongue) and placed on the opposite side of the first film.

If a third film is required, it can be placed on either the right or left cheek/under the tongue once the first two films have dissolved.

If Suboxone tablets are prescribed, all tablets (two at a time) may be placed under the tongue in different spots at the same time. The Suboxone film or tablet should be allowed to dissolve for at least 15 minutes.

Suboxone should not be chewed, swallowed, or moved after placing in the mouth.

Which foods and drinks should be avoided with Suboxone?

Alcohol should be avoided while taking Suboxone due to the risk of a severe breathing emergency or death from excessive sedation.

There are no specific foods that are known to decrease the absorption of Suboxone. However, grapefruit juice and grapefruit should be avoided while using Suboxone as it may increase the potential side effects of buprenorphine (one of the active ingredients of Suboxone).

Since some people experience gastrointestinal side effects like upset stomach or nausea from Suboxone, it may be prudent for individuals who experience these side effects to eat before taking their daily dose if they are overly bothersome.

Why Eating Too Soon Lowers Your Suboxone Dose

Suboxone works through sublingual absorption: the film or tablet dissolves under the tongue, and buprenorphine passes directly into the bloodstream through the tissue there. Unlike a pill you swallow, it isn't meant to be processed by the stomach—in fact, the naloxone component is poorly absorbed when swallowed. If you eat or drink too soon, saliva and liquid can rinse the still-dissolving medication down your throat before it's fully absorbed, so you swallow part of your dose and feel less benefit. Acidic foods and drinks (coffee, citrus, soda) can also change your mouth's pH and further reduce absorption. [1]

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I accidentally ate or drank too soon after taking Suboxone?

Going forward, follow the "Rule of 15": wait 15 minutes before and after dosing to eat or drink, and let the film or tablet fully dissolve without chewing, swallowing, or moving it. Because Suboxone is absorbed under the tongue, eating or drinking too soon can wash some of the still-dissolving dose away, so protect the timing next time and tell your provider if you think you're not absorbing your full dose.

Can I drink coffee, smoke, or brush my teeth before taking Suboxone?

While taking Suboxone, avoid alcohol, and avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice, which can raise side effects. For eating and drinking around your dose, follow the Rule of 15: wait 15 minutes before and after.