Suboxone’s Long: In the glitzy world of Hollywood, one issue has silently plagued its brightest stars: opioid addiction.
Behind the red carpets and dazzling smiles, many celebrities have struggled with opioid dependence. Most turn to medications like Suboxone for a chance at recovery.
Far from the glaring celebrity spotlight, Suboxone was seen as a pharmaceutical savior when it was first introduced to the market.
As the U.S. battled its opioid addiction epidemic, along came a drug that could necessitate a more controlled approach to managing opioid addiction.
And then came the Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit…and it changed the perspective of people seeking help to overcome opioid addiction.
Suboxone Linked to Severe Tooth Decay
There were 107,941 drug-involved overdose deaths reported in the U.S. in 2022, according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA). Synthetic opioids other than methadone were the main driver of overdose deaths.
Buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) was deemed the apex to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). Its success rate spoke volumes with American Addiction Centers claiming 40 – 60%.
So, why the kickback?
Suboxone contains a 4:1 ratio of buprenorphine HCl and naloxone HCl dihydrate. These active ingredients mimic and counter the effects of taking opioids.
Drug Watch listed a series of mild side effects such as back pain and constipation. Under warnings, it added “dental injury.”
TorHoerman Law says the film that encapsulates the pill was proven to weaken tooth enamel. This resulted in severe tooth decay and dental injuries. Drugmaker Indivior is now facing more than 200 Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits.
Initially, Indivior added a warning label to its packaging shortly after the FDA issued a safety communication. This included a caution about possible cavities, dental infection and total tooth loss.
Users affected before the 2022 warning are the main focus of the case. The Suboxone lawsuits claim that manufacturers failed to warn about the risks of tooth decay and other dental injuries associated with Suboxone.
The Hollywood Connection
Celebrities facing opioid addiction turn to Suboxone not just for its efficacy but also for its discretion. Unlike traditional rehab facilities, Suboxone treatment can be managed privately.
Suboxone became more widely known after the death of Friends star Matthew Perry. The comedian and actor was candid about his drug-fueled past. He spoke about it extensively in his memoir.
Shortly after he was found unresponsive in his hot tub in 2023, the medical examiner ruled his cause of death as the “acute effects of ketamine.” Another substance had been found in his system – buprenorphine.
Forbes reported the medical examiner concluded that buprenorphine might have contributed to his death through respiratory depression.
What baffled medical professionals was the acute dose of anesthetic ketamine also found. His friends told investigators Perry was undergoing ketamine infusion therapy. The experimental treatment is used to treat depression and anxiety.
It’s not just Perry’s death that cast the use of Suboxone into the spotlight. Late music icon Prince’s affinity for buprenorphine may have caused his death in 2016. Nicknamed “bupe,” the treatment was hailed as a revolutionary solution to opioid addiction at the time.
Although his death was ruled as an accidental overdose of opioid fentanyl, experts claimed buprenorphine created a dependency nightmare. It was harder to wean off than the opioids they were addicted to in the first place.
Suboxone in Short Supply
Filing a Suboxone subscription has become more difficult. U.S. pharmacies are denying continued access to the drug. This follows the billion-dollar settlements against pharmacies for their role in the opioid crisis.
Doctors and psychiatrists are also more wary of prescribing the drug in light of the Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit.
However, Healthline argues that addiction and dependence on a substance are two different things. The publication noted that the body can develop a physical dependency, hence the drug being classed as Schedule III. It has a low to moderate risk of physical or psychological dependence.
Suboxone’s “ceiling effect” means patients won’t experience stronger effects after a certain dosage point. The limit is 24 milligrams per day.
What are the other alternatives?
Suboxone provides a pharmacological solution to opioid addiction. Celebrities often rely on therapists, sober coaches, and support groups to navigate their addictions.
The Average Joe doesn’t have the privilege of having these options at their disposal.
Drug Watch senior writer Michelle Llamas proposed alternatives such as cognitive behavior therapy, Vivitrol and Methadone.
The end game of addiction replacement drugs is long-term sobriety. While using the Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit as a case study, maybe it’s time to address OUDs with compassion and evidence-based treatments.
