Understanding the Hidden Dangers of Suboxone Strips
Suboxone is a prescription medication designed to treat opioid use disorder, containing two active ingredients: buprenorphine (a partial opioid agonist) and naloxone (an opioid antagonist). The sublingual strips are placed under the tongue where they dissolve, releasing the medication directly into the bloodstream. While effective in helping thousands of patients manage opioid dependency, these dissolving strips have been linked to serious, irreversible dental damage.
The problem lies in the acidity of the strips. When Suboxone dissolves under the tongue, it creates a highly acidic environment in the mouth. With prolonged exposure, this acidity erodes tooth enamel and damages the underlying dentin, leading to severe decay, tooth fractures, and eventually tooth loss. Many patients report extensive dental injuries despite maintaining good oral hygiene.
In January 2022, the FDA issued a Drug Safety Communication specifically warning about dental problems associated with medicines containing buprenorphine that dissolve in the mouth. According to FDA research, 305 cases of dental problems were identified, including:
- Cavities/tooth decay (131 cases)
- Tooth loss/extraction (70 cases)
- Tooth erosion/breakdown (55 cases)
- Dental abscesses/infections (41 cases)
What makes these cases particularly troubling is that many of the reported dental issues were serious enough to require invasive procedures like root canals, tooth extractions, and complete dental restorations. The FDA noted that most patients had no history of dental problems before starting Suboxone treatment. Many Missouri residents have come forward reporting severe dental injuries after using Suboxone for opioid addiction treatment.
Your Legal Rights as a Suboxone Victim
If you’ve suffered dental injuries from Suboxone strips, you have legal options under product liability and pharmaceutical negligence laws. Our Suboxone attorneys at Cofman Townsley Attorneys At Law are pursuing these cases based on several strong legal arguments:
- Failure to Warn: The primary claim against Indivior, the manufacturer of Suboxone, is that they failed to provide adequate warnings about the serious dental risks associated with their product. While certain side effects were disclosed, the severe dental damage, including tooth decay and loss, was not properly communicated to patients or healthcare providers until the FDA finally issued a warning in 2022, years after many users had already suffered significant harm.
- Defective Design: These lawsuits also allege that Suboxone sublingual strips have an inherently dangerous design flaw. The highly acidic nature of the dissolving medication creates an environment that damages tooth enamel and underlying dental structures. Plaintiffs argue that alternative, less harmful formulations could have been developed.
- Negligence: Manufacturers have a legal duty to thoroughly test their products and disclose known risks. The lawsuits claim that Indivior negligently brought Suboxone strips to market without adequate testing of long-term oral effects and failed to properly investigate reports of dental injuries.
The legal landscape for Suboxone litigation is still developing, but several early cases have advanced through the court system. For example, in Bagnall v. Indivior Inc. (2022), the court denied the defendant’s motion to dismiss, finding sufficient evidence that the manufacturer may have known about dental risks but failed to disclose them. Similarly, in Peterson v. Indivior (2023), the court allowed failure-to-warn claims to proceed to discovery.
As Missouri Suboxone lawsuit attorneys, we are committed to holding pharmaceutical companies accountable when they prioritize profits over patient safety. The law provides a pathway for victims to recover damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other harms caused by dangerous medications.
Do You Qualify for a Suboxone Lawsuit?
If you or a loved one has suffered dental damage after using Suboxone sublingual strips, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit and seek compensation. Our Suboxone dental injury lawyers evaluate each case based on specific criteria to determine if you qualify:
Suboxone Usage Requirements
- You must have used Suboxone sublingual strips (not tablets or other forms)
- You began using Suboxone strips after 2011
- Your last use was before January 2022
- You used the medication for at least six months continuously
Dental Injury Requirements
- You have dental records from before you started using Suboxone strips
- You experienced severe dental problems after starting Suboxone
- You suffered the loss or extraction of at least three teeth
- You sought treatment from a dentist after discovering your dental injuries
Additional Qualifying Factors
- Your dental problems weren’t pre-existing before Suboxone use
- You have no history of incarceration for drug-related offenses
- You lived in Missouri or another qualifying state when Suboxone was prescribed
Many Suboxone users were already vulnerable, seeking treatment for opioid dependence only to suffer additional harm from their medication. Our Missouri Suboxone injury attorneys understand the sensitive nature of these cases and will handle your claim with compassion and confidentiality.
The statute of limitations restricts how long you have to file a claim, so it’s important to have your case evaluated promptly to protect your legal rights. Even if you’re unsure whether you qualify, we encourage you to complete our instant case evaluation to discuss your situation.
Common Dental Injuries From Suboxone Strips
Suboxone’s acidity erodes tooth enamel, leading to widespread cavities and decay that progresses rapidly despite regular dental care.
Many patients report losing multiple teeth due to Suboxone-related damage, requiring extractions when teeth become too damaged to save.
Dental abscesses and severe infections often develop as Suboxone damage progresses, causing extreme pain and potentially spreading to other areas.
Victims face expensive dental procedures including root canals, crowns, implants, and even full-mouth reconstructions to restore function.
Even after stopping Suboxone, many patients continue to experience ongoing dental problems and irreversible changes to oral health.
These serious dental injuries have dramatically impacted quality of life for many Missouri residents who were simply seeking treatment for addiction. Our Suboxone strip lawsuit attorneys believe these victims deserve compensation for their suffering and extensive dental expenses.
Taking Action After Suboxone Dental Damage
Ask your dentist to document all dental injuries and their likely connection to Suboxone use, including before and after records if possible.
Keep all prescriptions, pharmacy records, and treatment notes related to your Suboxone use and subsequent dental problems.
Document all costs related to dental treatments, including bills, receipts, and estimates for future procedures needed to repair damage.
Missouri’s statute of limitations means you have limited time to file your claim, so don’t delay in seeking legal advice.
Check Your Eligibility Now
Don’t face Suboxone dental injuries alone. Our Missouri Suboxone lawsuit attorneys have the experience and dedication to fight for the compensation you deserve. Complete our instant case evaluation now to see if you qualify. Time limits apply, so don’t wait.