Suboxone: Methadone & Heroin Facts

Question: How many studies have been done on possible effects of suboxone to a fetus?

(Posted by: on 2010-08-11 20:43:15)

Does any one know of any studies done to find out the effects of suboxone use while pregnant. does it increase the chances of neurological damage or even the inability to create dopamine? it seems like since the kid is getting high on an opiod through the entire process of brain development there might be some permanent undeveloped "happy centers. " the info out there readily available states that quiting cold turkey could cause miscariage but what if one wre to ween ones self down to 1/ 16 of a 8mg pill and then started using once every two days then three....then quit. would the baby still suffer from withdrawls? if the mother isnt suffering then the child shouldnt eigther right? it just seems foolish to continue to take a drug such as this throughout the entire term.

Posted by: Lone on 2010-08-12, 06:11:59

There are very few studies regarding suboxone and pregnancy, however the bigger concern is the added ingredient naloxone, which is thought to be bad for fetus's. Also, it has been proven that an addicted mother is better off to stay on opiates at a low dose and stay out of withdrawal, because withdrawal is known to cause birth defects and premature birth, and even death. The norm these days is for a pregnant woman to go on methadone, a long acting opiate similar to suboxone, A long acting opiate is important because with short acting opiates the mother is constantly experiencing minor withdrawal, and again that is not healthy. As strange as it sounds, doctors say it is healthier to let the baby be born addicted to methadone, and then wean the baby off the drugs once it is born. On the Suboxone site it says a pregnant woman should NEVER take Suboxone, but rather the sister drug subutex, which has the same active ingredient buprenorphine but it does not have the added naloxone.

Posted by: Subpar on 2010-08-14, 08:36:28

Not many, but there are ongoing studies being done. I personally know someone who did deliver a baby while on sub maintenance. The baby was born addicted (even though her sub doctor told her it was not possible) and her baby needed to stay in intensive care and a detoxification unit for over 2 weeks....Luckily she was at a large metro hospital that was use to treating addicted babies and mothers. Babies born addicted to methadone are usually out of detoxification in less than 1 week after birth. I hate to think what would have happened if she was not honest with her delivery doctors, or if it had been a small hick town hospital.