Treating opioid addiction is challenging, even for the most committed individuals seeking respite from the condition. Here, MAT (medication-assisted treatments) such as Suboxone carry a ray of hope for many patients. It can help people who suffer from OUD (opioid use disorder) successfully reclaim their lives.
But recently, there has been a flurry of lawsuits against Suboxone, alleging that it leads to tooth decay. A team of federal judges were supposed to listen to the arguments to consolidate 15 tooth decay lawsuits into an MDL. The date for this was fixed on January 25th, 2024.
Considering the current state of complaints against Suboxone, it is evident that the legal battle won’t end anytime soon. Hence, let us look deep into what the medication was meant for, its potential downsides, and the state of lawsuits against it.
The Pros and Cons of Suboxone
OUD is a complicated health condition where an individual is psychologically and physically dependent on drugs. It can lead to overdoses and severe health issues. In comparison to other MAT choices available, such as methadone, Suboxone provides better flexibility when prescribed by an expert doctor. It can also reduce daily clinic visits. Its effectiveness and flexibility brought a significant change in OUD treatment.
But the medicine has its gray areas. One of the crucial concerns surfaces with the onset of xerostomia. Saliva plays an important part in maintaining correct oral well-being. If salivary production lessens, then it leads to gum issues and cavities. People who use Suboxone often complain of dry mouth, which leads to other dental issues like chipped teeth and tooth loss.
Severe Dental Issues Increased Suboxone Lawsuits
The FDA revealed in January 2022 that there were over 300 cases of dental issues and decay linked to Suboxone. These problems mostly affected people who were in their 40s. However, in April 2024, AboutLawsuits.com stated that in the past two months, the number of Suboxone MDLs has gone up to 200 from 20.
The Drug Safety Communication by the FDA reveals that dental issues, such as oral infections, teeth loss, and decay, can affect patients who previously didn’t have any dental health concerns.
The first Suboxone lawsuit was filed by David Sorensen, a man from Ohio. He claimed that the treatment that was meant to dissolve into the mouth also led to dental damage because of its high acidity. In his complaint, he mentioned pursuing claims against Indivior, Reckitt Benckiser LLC, and Aquestive Therapeutics as defendants.
Sorsen states that he needed to opt for extensive dental work to treat the tooth decay resulting from using Suboxone. His lawsuit also revealed that the medicine manufacturer was aware of the dental health risks, even before the FDA issued a warning. However, they failed to notify the medical community and patients about it.
This negligence has been the reason for the increase in the number of lawsuits. TorHoerman Law states that if you are certain that your dental issues are an after-effect of using Suboxone, you should consult a lawyer and take legal action. Share your medical history, the duration of medicine use, the details of dental issues, and medical documents supporting it with the lawyer.
Once they decide you are eligible to file a lawsuit, they will develop a compelling case and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve to cover all your losses.
Suboxone’s Acidity and Impact on Dental Health
The two principal ingredients in Suboxone are naloxone and buprenorphine. Both need an acidic environment to be effective and stable while getting absorbed into the patient’s bloodstream. Other acidic ingredients that cause tooth decay are:
- Citric Acid
- Sodium Citrate Dihydrate
- Acesulfame Potassium
- Lime Flavour
Hence, users who place the Suboxone sublingual strip under their tongue might feel a distinct tangy or sour taste. It is a sign of the strip’s acidic ingredients, which typically increase pH levels near the drug. As a result, patients faced dental health issues like tooth abscess, gum recession and disease, dentin exposure, enamel erosion, bone loss in the jaw, tooth pain and sensitivity, and other oral infections.
In conclusion, if you are suffering from OUD and your doctor has prescribed you Suboxone, you need to think twice before using it. Discuss your concerns about the side effects of this medicine with your healthcare provider. Only use the medicine if the doctor ensures that you will not face any health hazards. However, if you still do, get medical and legal aid to seek respite from the dental issues and compensation for your suffering.