We take medicines to cure a health issue. It’s frustrating and disappointing when a drug used to heal one issue gives rise to another. Such has been the predicament with patients who’ve been prescribed Suboxone.
It is a medicine used for treating opioid addiction that contains naloxone and buprenorphine. While this medicine is effective in treating opioid dependence, it also gives rise to other health issues. These include tooth decay and dental health issues.
Did you experience dental injuries or tooth decay after consuming Suboxone? If yes, you need to learn more about your rights. Pharmaceutical manufacturers are legally obligated to update patients about the known risks of a product. In this article, we will focus on the unknown dangers of Suboxone, such as dental issues, and how you can seek compensation to cover your losses.
Suboxone and Tooth Decay
In April 2024, the Vancouver Sun reported about two British Columbians who filed a lawsuit against Suboxone. One of them, Brandon Scholten, was prescribed this drug for opioid addiction and pain management. Once he started using this medicine, he witnessed dental nerve damage, tooth erosion, and tooth decay. On the other hand, Deborah Annis has used this drug for three years. She reports cavities, tooth decay, burning mouth syndrome, and cracked teeth.
Back in 2007, Suboxone use was approved in Canada for treating opioid addiction by minimizing the impact of drug withdrawal. The various Suboxone product formulations, which include the soluble film form, are acidic to help increase buprenorphine absorption while reducing the absorption of naloxone. When patients keep the acidic tablets in their mouth, it results in side effects like tooth erosion, dental abscesses, tooth loss, and cavities.
Today, Annis and Scholten have filed their Suboxone lawsuit for teeth decay and are demanding $50,000 each as compensation. According to them, the amount will help cover the loss of earning capacity, a permanent physical disability, and other damages.
If you or anyone you know has faced a similar predicament, they should seek legal aid to get covered for their losses.
Other Health Hazards of Suboxone
Since Suboxone is an opioid, there are other health hazards linked with it for long-term use. The National Institute on Drug Abuse mentioned that a few more side effects of the drug include:
- Not being able to focus well
- Circulatory system and heart damage
- Respiratory system damage
- Brain damage resulting from lack of oxygen from slow breathing
- Restlessness and insomnia
It was in January 2022 that the FDA issued a news bulletin to alert people about the dental hazards linked with medicines that contain buprenorphine. People can have a host of dental issues even if they don’t have any family history of dental problems.
Seeking Legal Compensation
Today, the B.C. Ministry of Health warns that a few people who use Suboxone might have dental problems like infection, tooth decay, and the like. Hence, it suggests that people who use this drug and have faced similar issues should get in touch with a dentist who will enable them to heal the condition at the earliest.
Treating the dental conditions that result from using Suboxone might be costly based on the extent of damage done. Hence, TruLaw states that patients must seek legal compensation and obtain the amount they deserve to cover the medical costs and other damages. It is also necessary for them to get in touch with a lawyer who can help them file a lawsuit and present their case in court as well.
The lawyer will first study the case and let the patient know whether they are eligible for a lawsuit. Once they are, they can gather the necessary evidence and share it with their lawyer. They use it to develop a compelling case that presents the plight of the plaintiff and that the compensatory amount will help them recover their losses.
Finally, the lawyer will also inform you about the settlement payout. It is necessary to know each case is different and that the payout depends on the degree of suffering and other specific, personal details.
In conclusion, it is never a pleasant experience to have your dental health affected in an attempt to cure your opioid addiction. However, that’s what has been happening with Suboxone users. That aside, there are other side effects to be watchful about. If you have suffered after using this medication, it is necessary to seek both medical and legal aid.