Hi all. I am wondering if I am using the Suboxone strip correctly? I have heard on here that some people spit out the saliva after it has dissolved. I know, gross, but it is what it is.
I have not been spitting anything out, just swallowing after I think it has dissolved. I would appreciate some input on this.
Thanks in advance.
What is the proper way to use Suboxone strips?
Question posted by pup6767 on 2 Oct 2011
Last updated on 7 September 2019
16 Answers
Jezzy211
24 Feb 2018
Your suppose to brush your teeth for 10 min then place the strip under your tongue and tilt your head forward and let sit for 20 min without swallowing.
Ewok35
23 June 2018
You're actually supposed to avoid brushing your teeth before taking your dose. Toothpaste can block absorbtion of the medicine. Same goes for creamy type things like coffee creamer, ice cream, etc.
Dozen sleep
19 Feb 2018
As a person who has been taking it for 6 years now. When it says not to swallow... they mean the whole film. Of course you can if you want but your just wasting medication that you may need... If your getting headaches and are new they will go away soon... And if they keep happening then it means your taking to much... It says not to cut them
..that's B.S... To be completely honest I was looking for an answer to how long because If you dont move your tongue then it will literally stay there for an hour hardly dissolving... I'll tell you what I do... I try to leave it in for at least 25 to 30 minutes... The longer you leave it the more it absorbs into your blood stream... When i can't leave it in for that long drink something to get tou mouth wet before you put it in and it will dissolve faster... Hope that helps...
Rogerio8mg2mg
7 Jan 2018
Well I drink a cup of coffee you know like Starbucks like Ice Carmel macchiato with extra everything and ibuprofen 800 it hit me really good ...
Dozen sleep
19 Feb 2018
For some reason, I can't take mine without drinking a coke at the end... weird maybe but never tried taking something with it to help it does that really help?
Lenabena87
20 Nov 2017
Hi im new to the group and came on looking for answers.i seen this post and felt i should comment.ive taken sub on and off for ten yrs now and i feel the best way to get all of your sub is to let it sit under the tongue for 15-20 and swallow the spit.ive heard them say not to but i had an experience where i somehow had some of the spit choke me up and i ended up coughing i couldbt breath so i ended up losing all the spit i had under my tongue at this point the sub had been under my tongie for a good 25 mins i nvr got my dose cys i didnt swallow it i was sick within two hoyrs so of course i had to take another small amount.i waited to see if what i previously had under my tongue would work even tho i didnt swallow and ut just didnt,i may have gotten some of it by absorption under the tongue but i really feel because i didnt get all that yummy orange spit swallowed it wasnt effective.but also i believe do whT works vest for you.good lyck with your recovery all.
Comptonc
25 July 2017
Do not swallow ur saliva. Spit it out. If u swallow u will spend the day puking. I was told by my dr to swallow and when I went for my follow up he said no spit it out. Its not made to ve swallowed therfore u get sick as a dog
RLstine89
22 Sep 2017
Sorry, but that's just wrong. I can't even begin to tell you how many strips I have taken, and I swallow the spit from taking it every single time, and have never once gotten sick. In fact, I don't know anyone who spits out the left over spit after taking a sub. Yes, you're not supposed to just put the strip in your mouth and swallow it. THAT may make you sick. Because the beupenephrine is only absorbed through the veins under your tongue, and mouth. The beupenephrine is either absorbed in your mouth, or not at all. Meaning if you just put a strip in your mouth and swallowed it, it wouldn't do a thing. But once it has dissolved in your mouth, you can swallow the spit. I myself let it sit in my mouth about 20-25 min, just to make sure I'm getting the maximum absorption, then I swallow it, and as I said, have never once gotten sick because of it. I don't know anyone who has.
Ryan2391
29 July 2013
The proper way to use strips is as follows
1) no eating, drinking, or smoking for 15 minutes before dosing.
2) place strip on the bottom of your tongue
3) hold mouth shut dont swallow or spit for 15 minutes
4) after 15 minutes you can spit or swallow it does not matter
5) do not smoke, eat, or drink for another 15 minutes
BabyDee505
14 Dec 2016
But I wanna eat my cereal lol I just poured the milk in before I took the strip :(
Tiffany_W
9 March 2013
No you are not to spit at all Because while its melting under your tounge the medicine is in the spit as well. But if you would like to spit it won't hurt either.
lilkisses171
13 Oct 2012
on a sub strip you dont spit it out you have to swallow the saliva and you cut a sqaure of 8 and when you put it in you put the 8 faceing down under the tongue you cant eat or drink or smoke or etc after 30 mins and it does work you can make it last for days the whole strip
pootytang
19 May 2012
I seen this question and thought that I would give you some of my personal thoughts on how to take it "best".. I mean over time you will find what works for you the most efficient way.. I have been on Suboxone for 8 years now, when i started the program 8 years ago most people in my area had no idea what it was,, even i was completely confused about what it was back then but through the entire 8 years I have tried different things and been guided by my doctor to really make the medication work better for me.
1st- i will say that it really don't matter if you spit or swallow as long as you don't spit it out to fast.. I do just swallow the juice myself but i will let it build up in a way under my tongue,, in what feels like a pocket that i kinda try to keep it right there,, right above either side of your mandible. The most important thing that I have found that makes it last much longer before you start to feel like you need to take another is that when you take it and put it under your tongue just keep your mouth closed from that moment on,, do not open your mouth to talk or anything,, just breath out of your nose and do not breath out of your mouth.. I recommend to keep your mouth closed for about 15 minutes "at least", and 20 minutes "at most". IF you are a smoker do not smoke during taking the suboxone film,,, if you do you would have to have your mouth open to smoke and that would really affect the amount of suboxone you receive and the strength of the amount of suboxone you receive,,, you will feel like you need to take more suboxone much quicker than if you don't smoke for at least 20 minutes after taking the suboxone, and i recommend waiting 30 minutes after you put the suboxone in your mouth before you smoke,,, and 20 of those minutes with your mouth closed and then you can open your mouth but wait 10 minutes before you smoke a cigarette. But that's the best way that I have found that makes it seem to last the longest before i feel like i'm starting to feel bad and need to take another Suboxone strip.. I take three 8 millagram strips every day,,, there was a time about 5 years ago i was actually up to four 8 millagram strips per day but each person has a different tollerence to that type of medicaiton.. I have a younger brother that actually had a much stronger habit than i did and he was only able to take 1/2 per day or it would make him sick,, so this type of medication takes time to find your exact right amount to take,, but i recommend starting off with 1/4 and moving up by 1/4 of a strip until you find your ideal amount..
Thor283
8 Oct 2011
Hi Pup,
Here is what the concern is. The Naloxone in the Suboxone is a nasty little drug. It can save your life if you're ODing on opioids, but it doesn't make you feel good. As I have explained elsewhere, it's in there to prevent people from shooting up the Sub. Now supposedly the Nalox can't be absorbed in your mouth, only in your digestive tract. So the docs feel you won't get it into you. They also claim that if you do get it into you, it won't be enough to effect you. In theory, anyway. Some of us are more sensitive to drugs than others, like me. The saliva in your mouth has Nalox in it. If you've been swallowing it, and it's not effecting you, fine. But if it is, then you need to spit. Some docs now tell their patients to spit. If you do spit, hold the saliva in your mouth as long as you can to be sure you absorb as much Buprenorphine as you can. I'd say about 1 minute is good.
When I took Subox Tabs I could feel the Nalox. I always felt like I wanted or needed more Suboxone. I eventually wound up on 32 mg a day. 6 months later when I went on Subutex, I noticed I didn't get that feeling of always needing more. I concluded it was from the Nalox. But as I have already pointed out, I am hypersensitive to almost any drug.
The bottom line is if you feel fine, just keep doing what you're doing. I was also told you're supposed to get less Nalox with the strips than you do with the tabs.
Jillynnie
8 Oct 2011
Thor,
Hey there. Did you see my pq? I was worried we hadn't heard from you in a while. How are you doing my friend?
Best,
~Jillynnie
Jillynnie
8 Oct 2011
Thor,
Hey there. Did you see my pq? I was worried we hadn't heard from you in a while. How are you doing my friend?
Best,
~Jillynnie
Jillynnie
8 Oct 2011
Oops, sorry. Trying to do this from my phone!
Thor283
9 Oct 2011
Hi Jilly,
I didn't find any notices of you sending me a pq yesterday. I found a pq from 2 other people. I hear a lot of you say you have to check your inboxes. I'm not sure how to do that? Actually I didn't even know we have an inbox. However, I sent you a pq yesterday.
Thor
Jillynnie
10 Oct 2011
Thor,
I just assumed when you wrote me one that you were answering mine! (I wondered why you started a new thread instead of just answering on the one I sent.) I literally sent it to you and within about 10 minutes you came back here. That is an amazing coincidence! Must have 'heard' me telepathically! lol
I sent it asking where you were and how you were doing, and then saw you answering questions and a while later got your pq.
I hope you are feeling better!!
Best,
~Jillynnie
Coby416
3 Oct 2011
Pups yep your doing it correctly. It still is a bit disturbing though isn't it? LOL.
I actually press it under my tongue so it sticks to teh bottom. Then I close my mouth. If not when i place it on the bottom of my mouth my tongue gets in the way and gest stuck on my teeth. I am so weird about it. Then I brush my teeth again, or did i say I brush first? Anyways, you are doing it right. I have wasted I thought by gettign stuck on my teeth then brushing and spitting it out.
I hope all is well for you. Sent PQ few days ago.
Anyway all my best
Coby
runnermom56
3 Oct 2011
Hi Pup and all my friends
I was given the strip a few times during the 6 yrs I wa on sub. I actually didn't like them so I switched back to the 2 mg tabs at the end of my treament. Here's my opinion on the strip.
They melt REALLY fast..and I did swallow the spit afterward bc I wanted to be sure I got the dose! I honestlly was fearful that it didn't give me the proper dose..maybe bc I was so used to the powder(bc I crushed my pills and divided them into piles of powder to take sublingually) .
The strips,IMO, were hard to store bc they do come in a foil packet which you can put back into after use, but when you get down low to around .5 mg or less, eventho you can make the strips smaller dose bc of cutting them small, they are difficult to handle and store being so small..does any of this make sense? pq me if you want or ask away..in short..I perfered the 2mg tabs during the last phase of treament and fianlly jumping off at 1mg..I can see tho how someone might prefer the film if they use the whole thing and don't have to save a portion of it..and I would swallow..if it was me.HUGS!
runnermom
pup6767
3 Oct 2011
Thanks RM... for your unput... yes, the strps can become sticky very quickly. I have a ways to go before I start to cut them in half... but am oh so ready for that day... but do know that I have some more healing that needs to take place... at the receptor level and deep down inside me...
Thanks... and I want to congratulate u again RM on your "getting over the hump." Now... must take Olivia for a good walk before I leave for work.
Have a good week and keep up the good work... God Bless...
whitfoot
20 June 2017
I have been taking this a long time. My doctor told me it HAS to be absorbed through the veins under the tongue. Anything swallowed will be pooped out and not do anything besides be wasted. This is coming from the doctor. Also don't spit it out. Hold it firmly in place UNDER the tongue. Try to keep saliva away from it. U can swallow plain old saliva but if it tastes orangey, I would try to shift it back to under the tongue. U will really feel it start to tingle under the tongue and you will feel the affects more strongly and feel really well.
Jakepicks4me
11 May 2018
Runner mom I totally agree I like to strips better too because 1 800 mg strip would last me 7 days I would cut them into equal pieces and the round tab only lasted me about 4 and 1/2 you just can't break it small enough and you lose a lot of dust at least I do and I swallow everything because me too I'm afraid I would not get the entire dose
Drummerman
14 Oct 2018
Hey Whitfoot ,, You are absolutely correct. It does have to be ingested under the tongue and in through the skin,, and it also needs to be swallowed, whatever is left,, everything you said is perfect!! Speaking from long experience here too. You are very well spoken.
Inactive
2 Oct 2011
Hey Pup, I would have loved to have some of those back in my opioid days. I just looked it up, you may swallow during and after the strip is dissolving. It says do not swallow or chew the strip, leave in the place you put it, don't 'move it . Thanks
Jillynnie
2 Oct 2011
Hey Di,
Sorry I haven't been online today much. There is a theory going around about spitting the juice out will keep you from getting sick from the strips. This is really just silly talk. You are supposed to keep the film in your mouth until it completely dissolves. Just swallow normally. If you find that Suboxone makes you ill (headache or nausea) then you would need to try Subutex.
Going to be offline for most of the day but if you want to email me, please do.
Love you!
~Jillynnie
Drummerman
14 Oct 2018
Yes Jillynnie. , you are absolutely correct. The juice must be swallowed in order to get the maximum effects.. After all, isn't that the whole purpose of taking it, to make it (enter) our bloodstream.. If a person can just deal with the nasty taste, it will surely be worth their while.. even if you swallow, and then puke and/or get a headache, at least then it will be working inside you. Headache as a result? Just pop a Tylenol or what have you.. If you throw up, you won't be losing the chemicals, because it will already be streaming through. I guarantee this. I have spoken to numerous doctors and I myself have years of experience.. For the taste,, chocolate works very well,, eat any type of food that doesn't contain a citrus flavor, or acidic stuff, which will only intensify the nasty taste..
Many many people go with milk and chocolate, and you can indeed have it in your mouth at the same time, just see to it that you keep the separate inside the mouth as much as you can,, once the strip pretty much becomes a liquid itself, swallow the whole bunch. Chocolate,, strip and all.. Pretty much, the main issue is, is to not swallow it whole. It will be worthless. One could look at it this way,, just think of all the troubles and hassle we went through to get our hands on the pain meds, but once we got it, it was well worth the effort, right??? I thought you'd see it that way, hahaha. If we can put the same energy into dealing with some bad taste, like we did when we'd walk for miles for a little pain relief, then just picture in your mind the nice relief you'll get when all is said and done, you can spend the rest of the day and night gobbling chocolate as a pat on the back. Lolol hey, we have to make a little humor with everything, right?? It's not all so bad is it?? Good luck each and every one of you . One thing that is especially a no no, grapefruit juice, because it attatches itself to the same neurotransmitters as the narcotics do, so if you drink it, It will nearly completely cancel the effects..
Inactive
2 Oct 2011
You guys, I don't know a thing about subs but this is a very good question and very interested to know myself. Von
Inactive
2 Oct 2011
Ok guys, this is what I found out. It really doesn't matter if you spit or not, if swallow and get headaches then spit it out. If it doesn't bother you to swallow its ok. Now this is what I found on line and you all know I know nothing about subs! LOL. But just wanted you to know what I read. Hope you get an answer. Good luck Von
pup6767
2 Oct 2011
Why thank u Von... really appreciate the effort of looking it up for me. I guess I was not looking n the right places. I especially appreciate it becuz u r not even on subs... but I do know how much u like to learn and keep up on things.
And mlk... I hope this helps u also. Good luck and let us know when u r stopping the opiates and wanting to start on subs.
I am no xpert. Have been on subs for 1 month. They have been a godsend for me n getting off the opiates w/o wd.
I was a mess a month ago... lower than low as far as my mood and so so scared. The group here helped me through and supported me through that difficult time. We will b here for u too. There r far more intelligent and experienced folks here that can help u. And I too will help in any way that I can.
It was nice talking to you as I have not personally talked to u yet. Have seen your name n posts so nice to meet u!!
Thanks both of u for responding and thanks vonnie for the answer!! :-)
Inactive
2 Oct 2011
Pup & Mik, that was a shot in the dark! LOL, But thats what I found. I really hope someone that knows alot more than me steps up. But anyway it was good to learn something! LOL. Hope you both have a good day. V
pup6767
3 Oct 2011
Thanks all of you... I will continue to do it that way... I had just heard a few things last week--- I forget from whom... about not swallowing the juice. I have been meaning to ask this question all week and kept forgetting... just kind of wanted to get feedback from all of you who are on the strips also.
I will also remember to ask my doc next time I see him. I will continue the same way as I have been using them as the consensus is exactly that way.
Thanks to all of you. I hope that you all have a wonderful and blessed week...
Inactive
3 Oct 2011
Pup, I think it would be good to ask your doc too, and just keep doing what you are doing. Sorry I could not be of more help, but as you know I know nothing about subs. Have a good week and good nite. Von
suboxquest
17 Jan 2012
I have been taking subs for years. I take 16 mg every morning and do not swallow the "juice". It has worked miracles for me nonetheless. I do know people that have taken it and swallowed everytime and seems to be working for them as well. Although, I had a previous issue swallowing the medication and getting headaches. Now that I do not swallow, I have the same positive effects minus the headaches. I think that since it is sublingual, there is no difference in swallowing or spitting... Sorry to be so blount.
Phellis
10 May 2012
I take the strips. I always swallow the juice. It's fine.
Froggy84
17 Jan 2017
The saliva is also the medicine so you need to swallow it as your sub strip dissolves. I asked my doctor!
Jakepicks4me
11 May 2018
Hey guys I swallow after it has dissolved under my tongue I would think if you spit out that would take away some of the medicine just my opinion
Drummerman
14 Oct 2018
Hello Suboxquest,, I agree with you for the most part,, although one can still get a good result with not swallowing, it will work far more effectively as well as longer if one does indeed swallow.. Not to argue, just what all the doctors have said that I've spoken to.. It's like anything else,, if we want maximum results, we must go all in, you may feel good and it will work, but at the same time, ingesting the ENTIRE thing will definitely give you longer relief. This is not in any way trying to discredit what you say, I only speak from long experience having spoken to numerous doctors about this very topic.
One other quick point,, if ya take one 8mg strip in the morning, then another a very short time later,,you will only get a 10 percent increase / advantage as a result,, so we're better off talking one at a designated time, then take another a good four hours later,, because that 10 percent will be short lived,, taking them separately and a little further apart will give you a desirable effect for a longer stretch of time..the overlap effect.. Of course we are all different, but as a rule, this is what works well for 98percent of people.. I hope I don't sound like a know it all. Absolutely not my intent. I just like to spread the information of my best experiences and good fortune of learning this stuff..
Mrsb1994
26 Nov 2018
I’ve been taking Suboxone strips for a few months now and I was just wondering if it is okay to put them on the inside of your cheek and let them dissolve? Or is it better to put them under your tongue. The first time I took them in the doctors office he told me to put it under my tongue. But didn’t give much information about them. They have worked miracles for me. But I have an ulcer under my tongue and it is so painful to put the strips there at the moment. Help please!
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