Is it safe to take Suboxone during pregnancy? Suboxone is considered safe for use in pregnancy by many physicians because this medication’s chief component, buprenorphine, is safe. In fact safer than other opioids.
Some physicians, prefer to switch pregnant and nursing patients to Subutex (buprenorphine mono-product), because one component of Suboxone, naloxone, has not been extensively studied in pregnant women. Subutex does not contain naloxone.
In either case, treating opiate use disorder during pregnancy can help to prevent severe neonatal abstinence syndrome. This is not to say that this disorder cannot occur, but it tends to be milder in infants exposed to Suboxone or Subutex in the womb than in those exposed to methadone or drugs such as fentanyl. The signs and symptoms of neonatal abstinence syndrome are:
- Abnormally fast breathing
- Jitteriness
- Abnormal sensitivity to surroundings
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever
In summary, both medications are considered safe during pregnancy and are preferred over complete opioid agonists (fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone). It is best to speak with your OB doctor about this and discuss options.