Suboxone Lawsuit Filed in New York Alleges Failure to Warn of Dental Risks
In the latest Suboxone dental injury lawsuit, filed on February 13 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, plaintiffs’ attorneys allege that the manufacturers of Suboxone failed to adequately warn about the risk of dental erosion, tooth decay, tooth loss, and other dental injuries associated with the drug. If you took Suboxone, a medication used to treat opioid addiction, and you suffered a serious dental problem as a result, contact Consumer Safety Watch today for help. You may have grounds to file a Suboxone lawsuit seeking compensation for your injuries.
Background: What is Suboxone?
Suboxone is a medication that combines buprenorphine and naloxone. It is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of opioid addiction, helping individuals avoid withdrawal symptoms and break their addiction. Originally available as a tablet, Suboxone is now commonly prescribed in the form of sublingual films that are placed under the tongue until they dissolve.
Dental Side Effects and Allegations
Thousands of Suboxone users have reported experiencing severe tooth decay, tooth loss, and other dental problems related to the use of Suboxone sublingual films. These dental side effects have led to complaints and legal claims against the manufacturers for allegedly failing to warn patients and the medical community about the risks associated with Suboxone use.
Allegations Raised in Latest Suboxone Lawsuit
Delcastillo’s lawsuit, along with a growing number of similar claims filed nationwide, alleges that the manufacturers of Suboxone knew or should have known about the potential dental risks but failed to adequately disclose this information to consumers. Suboxone was approved by the FDA in 2002. However, it was not until January 2022 that Suboxone tooth decay warnings were added to the medication, following the FDA’s identification of over 300 cases of dental damage reported in connection with Suboxone.
The acidic nature of Suboxone dissolvable strips is believed to be a contributing factor to users’ dental erosion and tooth decay side effects. “The formulation of Suboxone film is designed to be acidic to maximize absorption of the buprenorphine while minimizing absorption of the naloxone. This acidic formulation leads to dental erosion and decay,” the lawsuit states. “Defendants knew or should have known that Suboxone film, when used as prescribed and intended, causes harmful damage to the teeth due to the acidity of buprenorphine.” As a result, the plaintiff suffered severe and permanent tooth damage, requiring extensive dental work.
Research Linking Suboxone to Dental Problems
Several research studies have linked Suboxone and buprenorphine, the active ingredient in the medication, to dental problems. In one study published in The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders in 2013 examined 11 patients with opioid addictions who experienced dental problems after taking buprenorphine. The researchers noted low salivary buffering capacity in over half of the patients, which may have contributed to the dental issues. Prolonged contact between the dissolving buprenorphine and the teeth was also suggested as a potential cause of decay.
In 2022, a research letter published in the Journal of the American Medical Association examined reports of dental problems linked to dissolvable buprenorphine films, like Suboxone. The researchers found an increased risk of adverse dental outcomes associated with sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone compared to transdermal buprenorphine and oral naltrexone. According to the researchers, “Patients are instructed to hold the tablet under the tongue for 5 to 10 minutes to maximize absorption. Thus, prolonged acidic exposure of the drug in the mouth might lead to tooth damage.”
Legal Action and Compensation for Suboxone Injuries
Patients who have experienced tooth decay, tooth loss, or other dental injuries after using Suboxone may have the opportunity to take legal action and seek compensation for their damages. Individuals who want to file a Suboxone tooth loss lawsuit will want to hire an attorney with experience handling product liability claims. If you or a family member have used Suboxone and experienced tooth decay or other dental problems, contact Consumer Safety Watch right away to explore your legal options.
