Should I take Suboxone pills or Suboxone strips?

You can take either. Buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) films/strips vs tablets/pills have similar clinical outcomes, which means both films and tablets reduce opioid cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and overdose risk. There are a few main differences:

Buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) tablets are less expensive than Suboxone films, which is most notable for patients paying out-of-pocket for their medication (that is, folks with no health insurance to cover prescription costs).
Some people have a taste preference for buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) films vs tablets, though both need to dissolve in the mouth (Do not swallow either films or tablets). Many people prefer buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) films because they dissolve faster and may taste less bitter.

Regardless of if you choose treatment with buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) films or tablets, both are well-supported by research to reduce opioid cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and overdose risk.

Rebekah L. Rollston, MD, MPH

Dr. Rollston is a Family Medicine Physician at Cambridge Health Alliance, Affiliate Editor-in-Chief of the Harvard Primary Care Blog, and Founder of Doctors For A Healthy US, LLC. She earned her Medical Degree from East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine and her Master of Public Health from The George Washington University. Her professional interests focus on social influencers of health & health disparities, addiction medicine, sexual & reproductive health, homelessness & supportive housing, and rural health.