Suboxone, a drug used to treat opioid use disorder, often gets a poor reputation for creating one more health condition while treating another. There are health risks associated with this medication. Even though it was aimed at decreasing your dependence on other opioids, it often leads to other health hazards, like severe dental infections.
Drugwatch, in February 2024, reported that the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ordered central control over a dozen Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits into MDL. The lawsuits revealed that the medicine has a highly acidic formula and can lead to dental health problems, tooth loss, and tooth erosion.
The federal panel had allocated the litigation to Judge J. Phillip Calabrese. Trent B. Miracle, head of the mass torts division in a reputed law firm, shared that it was a good move, as Calabrese is a capable jurist.
This article will focus on the side effects of Suboxone that have put it under legal watch and what to do if you’ve suffered after using it.
Suboxone and Acute Dental Health Problems
The common side-effect that Suboxone is blamed for is dental health issues. It is because all the Suboxone formulations, which comprise tablets and strips, should dissolve in your mouth. The medicine stays close to your oral tissues. On the other hand, the tablets and strips dissolve.
Also, Suboxone with a pH of 3.4 is acidic and gets dissolved in water. It might wear away the enamel, making your teeth vulnerable to decay and bacteria. Many patients who have faced this have filed lawsuits to report it to seek compensation for their losses.
Ewell Cassidy is one such individual whose story was shared by AboutLawsuits.com in February 2024. According to his Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit, Cassidy had been using Suboxone since 2011 to treat his opioid use disorder. He mentioned that, as a side-effect, he witnessed dental decay that led to the requirement of extreme dental work.
Cassidy shares that it was only towards the end of 2023 that he could finally recognize the signs of his tooth damage. He mentioned that the drug manufacturer labeled Suboxone as a maintenance drug, being fully aware that it can lead to dental erosion. This was true if anyone used the medicine for a prolonged period.
A similar predicament was faced by Lindsay Haddad, who was never warned about the health hazards of using Suboxone. She was left with dental injuries and disfigured tooth decay. In her lawsuit, Haddad added claims of negligence to provide required warnings and defective design. She claims both punitive and compensatory damage.
If the patients and medical community had been alerted about this side-effect, a lot of people could have avoided their suffering.
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Other Side-Effects of Suboxone
It was only in 2022 that the FDA issued a warning that Suboxone can result in dental health problems. However, the side effects aren’t just limited to tooth loss, decay, cavities, and oral infections.
A few other severe side effects include:
- Blurred vision.
- Confusion, agitation, hallucinations, and slurred speech.
- Limited sexual desire.
- Dark-colored urine.
- Allergic reactions, which comprise swelling of the lips, tongue, face, and throat, along with hives, rashes, and itching.
- Difficulty swallowing.
- Irregular menstruation.
- Digestive stress, along with vomiting, nausea, loss of appetite, and diarrhea.
- Unusual bleeding or bruising.
- Sweating, fever, shivering, and a fast heartbeat.
- Lack of energy and dizziness.
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes.
Also, hyperventilation seems to be one of the adverse health hazards of Suboxone. The patient can witness hypoxic brain death or injury from oxygen limitation to the brain and its cells. A very high dose leads to a higher chance of breathing issues.
This risk can be reduced when the patients follow the protocols for dosing.
What to Do When Affected by Suboxone?
If you have used Suboxone and suffered from gum and dental issues, you need to get a medical diagnosis. Your healthcare provider must affirm whether your dental injuries are an after-effect of using Suboxone or poor hygiene.
TorHoerman Law states that if it’s the former, then you can file a lawsuit. You have a valid point for your case if you weren’t alerted about the dental health risks. Also, you need to check the statute of limitations of your state to know whether you qualify for a lawsuit or not. It is here that you should consult a lawyer to navigate the legal path.
A lawyer will study your case and use the correct evidence, such as medical proof and other healthcare data, to develop a solid case. They will ensure that you get the settlement payout to cover your medical expenses for dental repairs and other suffering.
Summing up, it is necessary for patients getting treatment for opioid use disorder to be aware of the health hazards of Suboxone. Staying updated with the news and the latest verdict on the medicine is essential to making an informed decision. Since the medicine has already given rise to lawsuits, it’s best to stay away from it. However, if already affected by it, you should seek both medical and legal aid.
