How the Suboxone Spit Method Works

Suboxone treatment is highly effective in preventing opioid withdrawal symptoms as well as opioid cravings. It can be administered in tandem with psychosocial support in the medication assisted treatment (MAT) of substance use disorder.  But what is the Suboxone spit trick? We break it down below.

The Best Way To Take Suboxone Film

Patients that are prescribed Suboxone films are generally overcoming opioid addiction. Opioid use disorder (OUD) creates an impulse to consume as much of the opioid as possible, to capitalize on the drug's full potential and dose. This mindset can intersect with the consumption of rehabilitation medications such as Suboxone and create unfounded beliefs that active medication in the residual saliva produced by the sublingual ingestion of Suboxone should be consumed to experience the maximum effect of the medication. This is not true. There is no additional benefit if you swallow the residual saliva. The efficacy of the medication is most effective sublingually. 

Suboxone is a sublingual medication. Sublingual refers to the delivery system of the drug. The medication is designed to dissolve. The Suboxone film should be placed on the capillaries that inhabit the underside of the tongue. This is where the medication is absorbed and enters the bloodstream. 

Can You Dissolve Suboxone In Your Cheek?

You cannot dissolve Suboxone in your cheek. The medication is designed to perform at its best when dissolved sublingually. Suboxone dissolves under the tongue. When the medication has completely dissolved, and you can no longer see the Suboxone film, you can spit out the residue – the Suboxone spit trick! You won’t receive any extra Suboxone by swallowing it. 

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How To Properly Take Suboxone

Place the medication under your tongue, do not smoke, talk, drink, eat or chew and sit with your mouth closed and tongue placed over the medication. It can take between 5 – 15 minutes for Suboxone to dissolve.  This will vary from patient to patient. Avoid nicotine and caffeine for at least 15 minutes before and after you take your medication. No vaping products, caffeine, or cigarettes should be consumed. Nicotine and caffeine speed up the body’s metabolism and decrease the lasting effects of the medication. The goal is to make sure the medication lasts as long as it possibly can. The prolonged, long-acting effects of the buprenorphine in Suboxone are responsible for reducing and eradicating withdrawal symptoms and cravings. By eliminating these elements, patients can focus on other components of their recovery program, such as counseling and psychosocial, behavioral therapy, as recommended. Counseling and therapy help address and understand some of the underlying issues driving addiction. Understanding these issues is just as important as remaining abstinent. 

The Suboxone Spit Trick

Suboxone is designed to absorb sublingually. When the Suboxone dissolves under the tongue, the remaining residue mingles with the saliva that is produced as the medication onsets. This saliva should not be swallowed; it is essentially waste. If swallowed, it can increase side effects like constipation and migraine. Instead, once dissolved, you should spit out the saliva. The spit trick is a way to ensure you receive the fragments of the medication you are supposed to receive and purge yourself of the particles that can cause adverse side effects. You are not wasting or losing out on any of the medication by not swallowing it. The medication only works sublingually. The excess residue should not be swallowed. 

What Happens When You Swallow Suboxone?

We have discussed the function of opioid receptors in the brain in a number of other articles. Take a look at Can Suboxone Lead to Addiction to understand more about the role of opioid receptors in the brain. Opioid receptors are also present in the intestine. When Suboxone activates these receptors in the intestine, it slows down movement and the operation of bodily systems such as the excretory system, muscular system, lymphatic system, digestive system, and more. This can cause constipation. Refer again to Can Suboxone Lead to Addiction for more on the retardation of movement and bodily systems. The stagnation causes material (feces) to remain in the system for longer than it should; this, in turn, causes constipation. Other adverse side effects of swallowing Suboxone residue include mood swings, low blood pressure, and migraines. 

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How to Maximize Suboxone Absorptions

In order to maximize the absorption of Suboxone, place the medication under the tongue, unhindered until it dissolves completely. Swallowing Suboxone spit does not affect its potency and/or performance abilities, but it can amplify side effects and cause discomfort. It is worth noting that not all patients experience side effects from swallowing the medication. Nonetheless, your prescribing medical professional should be consulted. Confidant’s medical team is available around the clock and is ready to assist. Message us here. 

Important Note Regarding the Suboxone Spit Trick

Do not spit out your medication; only after your medication dissolves should you spit out the residual saliva. 

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