Downsides

If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, do not take any other medications, and have no other medical conditions, you are more likely to experience the following side effects:

• Constipation, diarrhea, difficulty sleeping, flushing or redness of the skin, headache, nausea or vomiting, pain, or sweating.
• Oral numbness has also been reported with the buccal film.
• Has the potential to cause serious, life-threatening breathing problems. This is more likely in people who misuse Bunavail, or when used in combination with other medications that also affect breathing. The elderly or debilitated, and those with pre-existing breathing problems are also at higher risk.
• May be habit-forming, even at the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
• May cause sleepiness or dizziness and affect a person's ability to drive or operate machinery. Alcohol should be avoided.
• Abnormal liver function tests have also been reported; ongoing tests that monitor liver function may be needed.
• May cause a severe lowering of blood pressure, or a sudden drop in blood pressure when going from sitting to standing.
• Risk of heart rhythm disorders (such as QT prolongation), particularly at higher dosages.
• Bunavail is not interchangeable with other brands of buprenorphine/naloxone combination tablets (for example, Suboxone sublingual tablets require a different dose than Bunavail buccal film). Monitor for signs of over-medication as well as withdrawal or under-dosing when switching brands.
• Misuse of Bunavail can cause addiction, overdose, or death.
• There is no generic version of Bunavail available. Other buprenorphine/naloxone films are available as a generic, but these are different strengths than Bunavail and taken in a slightly different way, for example, under the tongue or between your gum and cheek. They are not exactly the same as Bunavail.
• Suboxone films and Zubsolv tablets also contain buprenorphine and naloxone but these are not exactly the same as Bunavail.

Note: People over the age of 65, children, people with certain medical conditions (such as liver or kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes, seizures), or people who take other medications are more likely to experience a broader range of side effects.