Does Suboxone make you gain weight?
By
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira is a Pharmacist and Doctor of Philosophy in Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). She has experience in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Milena’s Highlights:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration in the areas of Pharmacometrics and Population Pharmacokinetics, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
“Science can be translated, and it is essential that everyone has access to quality information to make informed decisions” – Dr Milena Oliveira, PhD.
Professional Experience:
With a decade-long career as a researcher, Dr Milena has amassed extensive experience in conducting research projects in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics.
Her expertise also extends to the preparation of technical and scientific reports, literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific communication, both oral and written.
Dr Milena has served as a Clinical Pharmacist, providing expert supervision and guidance to teams during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the ICUs of two reference hospitals for patient hospitalization.
In her most recent role, Dr Milena worked on the implementation of the deliberatives of the São Paulo State Government Pharmaceutical Assistance Coordination. These decisions were aimed at ensuring medication access within the Unified Health System.
A widely multidisciplinary background enabled Dr Milena to become a professional capable of integrating scientific knowledge into private initiatives, education, and healthcare, delivering consistent services in patient safety and population health.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations:
Dr Milena Oliveira is a member of the Regional Council of Pharmacy of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.
Education:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
Relevant Published Work & Citations:
Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, Nardotto GHB, Pippa LF, Simões BP, Lanchote VL. Analysis of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in plasma and urine with application in the evaluation of total, renal and metabolic formation clearances in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. Nov 2020. 191:113-124.
Abstracts. CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology. 2020 Nov; 9 (S1).
Pippa LF, Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, de Andrade JM, Lanchote VL. Total, renal and hepatic clearances of doxorubicin and formation clearance of doxorubicinol in patients with breast cancer: Estimation of doxorubicin hepatic extraction ratio. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2020 Jun 5; 185:113-231.
Godoy ALPC, De Jesus C, De Oliveira ML, Rocha A, Pereira MPM, Larangeira DF, Lanchote VL, Barrouin-Melo SM. Determination of Allopurinol and Oxypurinol in Dogs Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with an Ultraviolet Detector: Application for Pharmacokinetic Studies. J Chromatogr Sep Tech. 2017; 8 (4).
Clímaco EC, Oliveira ML de, Pitondo-Silva A, Oliveira MG, Medeiros M, Lincopan N, et al. Clonal complexes 104, 109 and 113 playing a major role in the dissemination of OXA-carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in Southeast Brazil. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2013 Oct;19:127–33.
Conference Papers:
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B.; PIPPA, L. F.; ROCHA, A.; SIMOES, B. P.; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Daunorubicin metabolism and urinary excretion in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 84th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) and the 20th Annual Meeting of the Association of the Clinical Pharmacology Germany (VKliPha), 2018, Göttingen. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Arch Pharmacol, 2018. v. 391. p. S76-S76.
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . The low contribution of urinary excretion in the elimination of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 49th Brazilian Congress of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics., 2017, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2017. p. 64-64.
Oliveira, M. L.; PIPPA, L. F. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Quantification of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in human plasma by LC-MS/MS. In: I International Meeting of Environmental Health and Toxicology (IMEHTOX), 2016, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2016.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. . PFGE typing of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from different University Hospitals. In: V International Postgraduate and Research Symposium, 2012.
Clímaco, E.C. ; SILVA, A. P. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. Relação clonal entre linhagens de Acinetobacter baumannii produtoras de carbapenemases da família OXA em quatro hospitais no Brasil. In: XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012, Santos. XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Dissemintion of OXA carbapenemases genes in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in University Hospital of Juiz de Fora, MG. In: 8th CIFARP – International Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2011, Ribeirão Preto.
Clímaco, E.C. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Avaliação do sequenciamento parcial do gene rpoB e de seus flanqueadores para identificação de espécies de Acinetobacter na rotina laroratorial. In: 2° International Symposium on Clinical Microbiology, 2010, Florianópolis.
You can view some of Dr Milena’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dra-milena-locci-de-oliveira-28986042/?locale=en_US
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milena-Oliveira-6
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/5394254/milena-locci-de-oliveira
Lattes: https://buscatextual.cnpq.br/buscatextual/busca.do
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57199779361
Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=pt-BR&user=1YUBDIQAAAAJ
Does Suboxone make you gain weight?
Suboxone may or may not make you gain weight. The drug can cause a significant amount of water retention, especially during the early course of the treatment. This side effect could lead to weight gain.
However, this type of weight gain can go away easily or when your body loses the extra water. Make sure you clearly monitor your side effects and report them to your healthcare provider.
If you’re gaining a significant amount of weight while being treated with Suboxone, there may be some other factor contributing to it. Weaning off from Opioids is not easy and it may produce a number of unwanted effects on your body. Suboxone may also make some people tired.
What does research suggest?
Research studies have indicated that the most common reason associated with Suboxone-induced weight gain is water retention. When your body retains water, it increases your water weight (1).
Studies have not shown any metabolic changes caused by Suboxone that may affect the way your body stores fat. However, the drug may cause different effects in different individuals. Some people may also experience extreme tiredness, which can reduce their physical activity and can slow down their metabolism.
It’s difficult to predict how your body will react once it is exposed to this medication. This is why it’s crucial to keep informing your healthcare provider about your side effects.
What to do if Suboxone makes you gain weight?
There are a few things that may help you with Suboxone-induced weight gain. These include:
Consult your doctor
The basic thing to do if you’re gaining weight on Suboxone is to talk to your healthcare provider. Only your doctor can determine the safety and efficacy of this medication in your body. If the drug is affecting your metabolic functions in any way, your doctor may switch you to another medication.
Weight gain can become a big complication if it’s significant. Long-term use of these medications can increase the risk of obesity, which can further increase the risk of a number of diseases.
This is why you should always make sure your med is not harming you in any way, especially when you have to use it for a long period of time.
Limit your salt intake
As Suboxone can cause water retention in your body which is the main cause of rapid weight gain, make sure you limit your salt intake. Salt can play a huge role in the regulation of water in your body.
Sodium can make your kidneys reabsorb more water than it usually does and cause water retention on their own. If it is combined with a drug that can also cause water retention.
Too much water in your body increases your blood volume, which in turn can increase your blood pressure. It can also increase the risk of edema, which can cause significant side effects of its own.
Opt for foods that won’t make you feel bloated
It is best to eat foods that can aid in digestion if you’re being treated with Suboxone. The drug can make you feel bloated and heavy, which can also make you a little heavier on the scale.
Choose foods that can increase your metabolism and your fat-burning process. This is crucial if you’re already overweight or obese.
Exercise
Exercise is the best way to lose weight, no matter how you gain it. Medication-induced weight gain can be a little tricky to lose, but persistent exercise and a good diet can help you achieve your weight loss goals.
Suboxone is not that much involved with your body’s metabolism and the primary cause of weight gain and bulkiness is water retention. This type of weight can be a little easier for you to lose.
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References
1.-
Kumar R, Viswanath O, Saadabadi A. Buprenorphine. 2023 Feb 27. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 29083570. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459126/
2.-
MedlinePlus. Buprenorphine Sublingual and Buccal [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); [updated 2022 Apr 15; cited 2022 Sep 29]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a605002.html
