The FDA issued a MedWatch Alert warning clinicians of patients undergoing treatment with dissolvable buprenorphine products to treat opioid use disorder (OUD) and/or pain about the risk for dental problems associated with the medications.
“Dental problems (including tooth decay, cavities, dental abscesses/infection, tooth erosion and, in some cases, total tooth loss), have been reported even in patients with no history of dental issues,” according to the FDA in the alert.
Buprenorphine is approved as an under-the-tongue combination buprenorphine-naloxone oral tablet to treat OUD (Suboxone, Indivior) and as a film to be placed inside the cheek to treat pain (Belbuca, Biodelivery Sciences).
The FDA stated that while there are no risk predictors for patients taking dissolvable buprenorphine with regard to related dental problems, “the benefits of buprenorphine medicines for OUD and pain clearly outweigh the risks, and are important tools in treating these conditions,” according to the agency.
It’s advised that patients using buprenorphine formulations that dissolve in the mouth to take precautionary measures, such as rinsing with water after buprenorphne use; avoiding brushing their teeth for an hour after taking a dose to reduce the risk for tooth damage; and undergoing regular dental checkups.
Theres a ingestible form of buprenorphine why is the FDA keep producing sublingual tablets most patients are usually stable enough were immediate relase of medication is not an issue only patients who are on the extremely high addiction levels ex: 20 year heroin addict who injected daily would be considered a must have sublingual form, but majority of patients who are on MAT program become stable enough were swallowing it and normal 30 to 60min affect is not an issue. Fingers would be once again pointed @ insurance and pharmaceutical companies benefiting off of sublingual medications and not producing normal investable. Or creating more injectable generic brands. The oral destruction from the sublingual tablets is very scary and seems irriverable like long term tobacco or methamphetamine user. Alot of patients on suboxone were never addicts in the first place. Some patients were victims of accidents or diseases and were prescribed other opioids to realize once they recovered they unintentionally have an addiction towards there medication.