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Important Safety Information (ISI)

SUBOXONE® (buprenorphine HCl/naloxone HCl dihydrate sublingual tablets) (CIII) is indicated for the treatment of opioid dependence.

It is extremely dangerous to take benzodiazepines or other depressants while taking SUBOXONE. A serious overdose and death may occur if benzodiazepines, sedatives, tranquilizers, antidepressants, or alcohol are taken at the same time as SUBOXONE.

SUBOXONE has potential for abuse and produces dependence of the opioid type, with a milder withdrawal syndrome than full agonists.

Cytolytic hepatitis and hepatitis with jaundice have been observed in the addicted population receiving buprenorphine.

Allergic reactions including bronchospasm, angioneurotic edema, and anaphylactic shock have been reported in patients taking buprenorphine.

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of SUBOXONE (a Category C medication) in pregnancy.

Caution should be exercised when driving cars or operating machinery.

Always store buprenorphine-containing medications safely and out of the reach and sight of children. Destroy any unused medication appropriately.

The most commonly reported adverse events with SUBOXONE include: headache (36%, placebo 22%), withdrawal syndrome (25%, placebo 37%), pain (22%, placebo 19%), insomnia (14%, placebo 16%), nausea (15%, placebo 11%), and constipation (12%, placebo 3%). Please see full Prescribing Information for a complete list.

To report an adverse event caused by taking SUBOXONE, please call 1-877-782-6966. You are also encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see full US Prescribing Information for SUBOXONE.

I have read and understood the Important Safety Information.

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Talking to your friend or loved one about treatment

When you're in treatment for opioid dependence, having the support of your friends and family can make an enormous difference. A trusted friend or family member can give you valuable perspective on how well you're doing, and offer constructive advice, companionship, and encouragement along the way. Often, all you need to do to get that support is to ask for it.

The same is true if you want to offer your own support, or simply talk with someone you care about so you can understand what he or she is going through: it starts with a conversation.

If you're in treatment

If you're in treatment or beginning treatment and want your friend or your loved one's support, let him or her know.

If someone you care about is in treatment

If your friend or loved one is in treatment or beginning treatment and you want to help, find out how.

Talk to a friend or loved one about your own treatment

Opioid misuse can affect your family, and may put a burden on your relationships. But getting treatment is a positive thing to do. And so is letting someone you care about know you've made a commitment to doing what you need to do to deal with your opioid dependence.

How do you start? Tell your friend or loved one you want to have a talk about where you are now, where you want to be, and how you plan to get there: your treatment.

  • Find a private place where you can really talk, without being disturbed
  • Take the pressure off by chatting for a few minutes first
  • Talk honestly and openly about how you got to where you are—and how you plan to get back to where you really want to be
  • Listen carefully to any questions, and answer them
  • Ask if you can talk again, and schedule a time

Ways to approach your conversation:

  • Listen—get your friend or loved one's point of view
  • Focus on the present and the future—this isn't the time to be sorry, angry, or disappointed about the past
  • Talk about your concerns—these are issues that affect both of you
  • Discuss boundaries—be honest about what your family member or friend can and cannot do to help
  • Stay positive—don't get discouraged
  • Ask for the help you need. That way, your friend or loved one can be there to support you when you need it
  • Agree to keep talking—ongoing communication is important

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Things you may want to talk about:

  • What your family member or friend may not know about opioid dependence
  • How opioid dependence causes long-term changes to the structure and function of the brain—so getting well is often more difficult and complicated than simply using willpower
  • How SUBOXONE® therapy works, and how it can help with the physical aspects of opioid dependence
  • How counseling can help with the aspects of opioid dependence involved with how you feel and act
  • Changes you want to make in your behavior and lifestyle
  • High-risk situations, along with ways to avoid them
  • The risk of relapse. Because opioid dependence is a chronic medical condition, relapse can happen—but you'll have a plan to avoid it, and help in dealing with it if it happens
  • The kinds of help and support that could make a difference. Be specific. Support can be as simple as:
  • Having ongoing talks
  • Scheduling healthy activities together
  • Assistance on doctor visits
  • Helping to educate other family members and friends about opioid dependence
  • Being available if things get difficult (encourage your friend or loved one to be honest about his or her situation and how available he or she can be)
  • Other ideas you come up with together

Not in treatment yet?

Let us help you make your first appointment: call 866-973-HERE (4373)

We're Here to Help you through every stage of your treatment. Enroll in the Here to Help™ Program to get the most out of your SUBOXONE treatment. You'll have exclusive access to a Care Coach ready to support and encourage you along the way. You'll also get online tools, counseling options, and e-mails to help you stay motivated as you work to get your life back on track.

Back to Top

Talk to your friend or loved one about his or her treatment

Drug misuse can affect a family, and may put a burden on relationships. But getting treatment is a positive thing to do: it means the person you care about has made a commitment to doing what needs to be done to get his or her life back on track.

How do you start? Tell your friend or loved one you want to have a talk about their struggle with opioid dependence—and to get the help he or she needs.

  • Find a private place where you can really talk, without being disturbed
  • Take the pressure off by chatting for a few minutes first
  • Help the person you care about develop a plan to get back to where he or she really wants to be
  • Talk honestly and openly about how your friend or loved one's dependence affects your life as well as his or hers—and about what you can do to support him or her in treatment
  • Listen carefully to any questions, and answer them
  • Ask if you can talk again, and schedule a time

Ways to approach your conversation:

  • Listen—get your friend or loved one's point of view
  • Focus on the present and the future—this isn't the time to be sorry, angry, or disappointed about the past
  • Talk about your concerns—these are issues that affect both of you
  • Discuss boundaries—be honest about what you really can and cannot do to help
  • Stay positive—don't get discouraged
  • Ask what you can do to help—let the person you care about know you're ready to support him or her
  • Agree to keep talking—ongoing communication is important

Things you may want to talk about:

  • What your friend or loved one thinks you need to understand about opioid dependence
  • How SUBOXONE therapy works, and how it can help with the physical aspects of opioid dependence
  • How counseling can help with the aspects of opioid dependence involved with how the person you care about feels and acts
  • Behavior and lifestyle changes he or she wants to make
  • High-risk situations, along with ways to avoid them
  • The risk of relapse: because opioid dependence is a chronic medical condition, relapse can happen. Discuss your friend or loved one's plan to avoid it, and how he or she will deal with it if it happens
  • Specific kinds of help and support the person you care about needs and you or other family members or friends might be able to provide, such as:
  • Having ongoing talks
  • Scheduling healthy activities together
  • Assistance during doctor visits
  • Helping to educate other family members and friends about opioid dependence
  • Being available if things get difficult (be honest about your own situation and how available you can be)
  • Other ideas you come up with together

Let us help

Let your friend or loved one know to call 866-973-HERE (4373) for help setting up a first appointment.

Find help here. The person you care about can get exclusive access to a Care Coach ready to support and encourage him or her along the way. Tell your friend or loved one about the online tools, counseling options, and e-mails that can help him or her stay motivated—all part of the Here to Help Program.

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certified to treat opioid dependence in the privacy of his or her office:


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I was touched that my friend cared enough to talk to me when I really needed it.

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This site is sponsored by Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals Inc. and intended for residents of the United States.
SUBOXONE® and Here to Help® are registered trademarks of Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare (UK) Ltd.
This site is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended
as a substitute for direct consultation with a qualified mental health professional.
Patient quotes are hypothetical.
© 2009 Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Important Safety Information (ISI)

SUBOXONE® (buprenorphine HCl/naloxone HCl dihydrate sublingual tablets) (CIII) is indicated for the treatment of opioid dependence.

It is extremely dangerous to take benzodiazepines or other depressants while taking SUBOXONE. A serious overdose and death may occur if benzodiazepines, sedatives, tranquilizers, antidepressants, or alcohol are taken at the same time as SUBOXONE.

SUBOXONE has potential for abuse and produces dependence of the opioid type, with a milder withdrawal syndrome than full agonists.

Cytolytic hepatitis and hepatitis with jaundice have been observed in the addicted population receiving buprenorphine.

Allergic reactions including bronchospasm, angioneurotic edema, and anaphylactic shock have been reported in patients taking buprenorphine.

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of SUBOXONE (a Category C medication) in pregnancy.

Caution should be exercised when driving cars or operating machinery.

Always store buprenorphine-containing medications safely and out of the reach and sight of children. Destroy any unused medication appropriately.

The most commonly reported adverse events with SUBOXONE include: headache (36%, placebo 22%), withdrawal syndrome (25%, placebo 37%), pain (22%, placebo 19%), insomnia (14%, placebo 16%), nausea (15%, placebo 11%), and constipation (12%, placebo 3%). Please see full Prescribing Information for a complete list.

To report an adverse event caused by taking SUBOXONE, please call 1-877-782-6966. You are also encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see full US Prescribing Information for SUBOXONE.