Why Does Suboxone Taste Bad?

Suboxone contains two active ingredients that don't readily absorb via your digestive tract. You must dissolve the medication through your mouth (“sublingually”), and unfortunately, both ingredients have a bitter aftertaste.[1]

Drug manufacturers try to help by masking these bitter materials with an orange or mint flavor. But many people find that the pills and strips taste unpleasant.

You may adjust to the flavor in time. If you don't, you could switch to a different Suboxone formulation.

These medications can be lifesaving in the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) symptoms. But your treatment should be as pleasant as possible. Is there anything that can be done to improve the taste of Suboxone?

What Can I Do to Make Suboxone Taste Better?

If you dislike the way your Suboxone tastes, these tips may help:

Rinse With Water 

When your pill or strip is completely dissolved, swish and swallow cold water.[2] 

Switch to a New Formula

In one study, more than 70% of people using buprenorphine/naloxone medications said the film tastes better than the tablets.[3] You may disagree with the majority and find that tablets taste better than strips. Every palate is different; if you don't like the film, ask your doctor to try the tablets instead. 

Wait & See

You may grow accustomed to your medication's taste. While you might never love it, you could find that it's more tolerable after repeated use. 

Do Not Brush Your Teeth

Suboxone is acidic, and after your therapy, your teeth are slightly soft and vulnerable. If you brush right after your medication dissolves, you could wipe away your mouth's natural protection.

Wait at least one hour after your medications dissolve to brush your teeth.[4] 

Do Not Suck on Something Sweet 

Since Suboxone is acidic and can cause dry mouth, your medication can enhance your risk of tooth decay. In one study, people using Suboxone had an average of 5.2 cavities that started after they began using the medication.[5]

Candies place sugars on your teeth, and that raises your risk of cavities even more. Avoid all sugary snacks while you're taking Suboxone to protect your smile. 

Do Not Drink Alcohol

A bolt of alcohol could remove Suboxone's taste, but this sedative drug could combine with your medication and slow your breathing to dangerous levels. Never drink any amount of alcohol while you're taking Suboxone. 

Do Not Swallow the Strip

Active Suboxone ingredients don't interact with your digestive tract. To get the full power of your medication, you must let the substance dissolve in your mouth.[1] Try to make sure it is fully dissolved before you swallow or spit out any residue, as this will ensure maximum absorption of the medication into your body.

Sources

1. Pharmaceutical and Pharmacokinetic Characterization of a Novel Sublingual Buprenorphine/Naloxone Tablet Formulation in Healthy Volunteers. Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4364559/. January 2015. Accessed July 2022.
2. Buprenorphine for Opioid Dependence: Are There Really Differences Between the Formulations? Mental Health Clinician. https://meridian.allenpress.com/mhc/article/4/1/17/37056/Buprenorphine-for-opioid-dependence-Are-there. 2014. Accessed July 2022.
3. Buprenorphine: Drug Safety Communication—FDA Warns About Dental Problems with Buprenorphine Medicines Dissolved in the Mouth to Treat Opioid Use Disorder and Pain. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/safety/medical-product-safety-information/buprenorphine-drug-safety-communication-fda-warns-about-dental-problems-buprenorphine-medicines. January 2022. Accessed July 2022.
4. Sublingual Buprenorphine and Dental Problems: A Case Series. The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3907320/. October 2013. Accessed July 2022.