Can You Take Suboxone While Pregnant? What Patients Should Know

If you take Suboxone and find out you are pregnant, you may immediately wonder: can you take Suboxone while pregnant?

In some cases, yes. Buprenorphine, one of the active medications in Suboxone, treats opioid use disorder during pregnancy. Whether Suboxone—the combination of buprenorphine and naloxone—is right for you depends on your health and should be decided with your healthcare providers.

Most importantly, do not suddenly stop Suboxone, lower your dose, or change your medication on your own after becoming pregnant. Your healthcare team needs to consider both your health and your baby’s health when making treatment decisions.

For people with opioid use disorder, staying in stable, medically supervised treatment is generally safer than stopping treatment and risking withdrawal or a return to opioid use. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recognizes buprenorphine and methadone as medications used to treat opioid use disorder during pregnancy.

Understanding Suboxone and Pregnancy

Suboxone contains two medications:

Buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist that helps reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
Naloxone, an opioid antagonist, is added mainly to discourage misuse of the medication.

Buprenorphine can help a person with opioid use disorder stay stable without the repeated intoxication and withdrawal that can occur with uncontrolled opioid use. RCC’s guide to Suboxone treatment for opioid use disorder explains more about the medication and how treatment works.

During pregnancy, healthcare professionals look at several factors when deciding which medication and formulation to use. These may include:

Your current treatment
How stable you are in recovery
Your medical history
Your pregnancy
Other medications you take
Your risk of returning to opioid use

There is no single treatment choice that works for every pregnant patient.

Is Suboxone Safe During Pregnancy?

When people ask whether Suboxone is safe during pregnancy, it helps to separate buprenorphine itself from the buprenorphine/naloxone combination in Suboxone.

Healthcare professionals use buprenorphine to treat opioid use disorder during pregnancy. ACOG recognizes both buprenorphine and methadone as treatment options for pregnant patients with opioid use disorder. SAMHSA’s buprenorphine guidance also identifies buprenorphine and methadone as treatment options for opioid use disorder during pregnancy.

In the past, healthcare professionals often preferred buprenorphine without naloxone during pregnancy to limit fetal exposure to naloxone. However, ACOG notes that studies of buprenorphine/naloxone during pregnancy found outcomes similar to those with buprenorphine alone.

This does not mean every pregnant patient should stay on Suboxone or automatically switch to another medication. Your prescribing clinician and prenatal care provider should make that decision with you.

What Should You Do If You Become Pregnant While Taking Suboxone?

If you find out you are pregnant while taking Suboxone, contact your Suboxone provider and your OB-GYN or other prenatal healthcare professional.

Do not stop taking your medication simply because you received a positive pregnancy test.

Your healthcare team may review:

How long you have taken Suboxone
Your current dose
How stable you are in treatment
Any cravings or withdrawal symptoms
Other prescription and nonprescription medications
Your pregnancy and overall health
Your history of opioid use
Your risk of relapse
Whether you need a different medication or formulation

Your providers can then create a treatment plan that supports both your recovery and prenatal care.

Why You Should Not Suddenly Stop Suboxone During Pregnancy

Some patients assume that stopping all opioid-related medications as soon as possible must be safer for the baby. With opioid use disorder, suddenly stopping treatment can create other risks.

Stopping buprenorphine without medical guidance can cause withdrawal, bring cravings back, and raise the risk of returning to opioid use.

ACOG advises pregnant patients with opioid use disorder not to abruptly stop opioids without medical supervision. For opioid use disorder during pregnancy, treatment with methadone or buprenorphine is generally preferred to withdrawal-based approaches.

Suboxone can also cause withdrawal symptoms when someone stops it or lowers the dose too quickly. RCC’s guide to Suboxone withdrawal provides general information about what can happen when Suboxone use stops or decreases.

Pregnancy is not the time to follow a general tapering plan on your own. If you are worried about your medication, talk with your treatment provider and prenatal provider before changing your dose.

Suboxone vs. Buprenorphine Alone During Pregnancy

A common question about Suboxone and pregnancy is whether someone should switch from Suboxone to buprenorphine alone.

Suboxone contains buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine-only medication does not contain naloxone.

Healthcare professionals have historically preferred buprenorphine-only products during pregnancy because they avoid prenatal exposure to naloxone. However, evidence reviewed by ACOG found similar pregnancy outcomes among patients taking buprenorphine/naloxone and those taking buprenorphine alone.

Do not make this switch on your own.

Your clinician may recommend staying on your current treatment, changing formulations, or taking another approach based on your medical needs.

Why Treating Opioid Use Disorder During Pregnancy Matters

Pregnancy does not make opioid use disorder go away, and going without treatment can carry serious risks.

Unstable or untreated opioid use disorder can expose a pregnant patient to repeated opioid use and withdrawal, overdose risk, inconsistent prenatal care, and other health problems.

ACOG reports that opioid use during pregnancy has been linked to poor fetal growth, preterm delivery, fetal death, and other complications. Medication treatment can reduce withdrawal and cravings and help patients stay stable during pregnancy.

Medication may be only one part of treatment. Care may also include:

Counseling
Behavioral healthcare
Recovery support
Medical monitoring
Prenatal care
Planning for delivery and newborn care

Will a Baby Experience Withdrawal After Suboxone Exposure?

Babies exposed to opioids such as buprenorphine during pregnancy can sometimes develop temporary withdrawal symptoms after birth.

Healthcare professionals often call this neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) or neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS).

Possible symptoms include:

Tremors or shaking
Irritability
Trouble sleeping
Feeding problems
Vomiting or diarrhea
Increased crying
Trouble settling or being comforted

Not every baby exposed to buprenorphine develops significant withdrawal symptoms.

After delivery, healthcare professionals can watch the newborn for symptoms and provide supportive care or medication when needed. ACOG describes neonatal withdrawal as an expected and treatable possible result of prenatal opioid medication exposure—not a reason to avoid appropriate treatment for opioid use disorder.

When possible, discuss newborn monitoring and delivery plans with your obstetric and treatment teams before delivery.

Will Suboxone Cause Birth Defects?

It is understandable to worry about birth defects when you find out you are pregnant while taking medication.

According to ACOG’s patient guidance, years of research have not found methadone or buprenorphine used to treat opioid use disorder to cause birth defects.

You should still tell your prenatal provider about every prescription medication, over-the-counter medication, supplement, and substance you use. This gives your healthcare team the information they need to review your complete treatment plan.

Can Your Suboxone Dose Change During Pregnancy?

Pregnancy can change how your body processes medication, so your treatment needs may change as your pregnancy progresses.

Some people need medication adjustments. Others stay stable on the same dose.

Tell your prescribing provider promptly if cravings or withdrawal symptoms increase.

Never increase, decrease, split, or skip Suboxone doses simply because you are pregnant unless your healthcare professional tells you to do so.

The goal is not automatically to take the lowest possible dose. Your clinician should choose a dose that adequately treats your opioid use disorder while considering your individual medical needs.

Coordinating Suboxone Treatment With Prenatal Care

Good communication between your healthcare providers matters during pregnancy.

Your care team may include:

An OB-GYN, midwife, or other prenatal provider
An opioid use disorder treatment provider
A primary care professional
Behavioral health professionals
The hospital or pediatric team that will care for your baby

Tell your Suboxone provider that you are pregnant. Also tell your prenatal provider that you receive treatment for opioid use disorder.

When both teams have the same information, they can better coordinate medication decisions, prenatal monitoring, delivery planning, and postpartum care.

Tennessee patients who receive addiction care remotely can also learn how Suboxone telemedicine works and what to expect from virtual opioid use disorder treatment.

What About Suboxone After Delivery?

Treatment for opioid use disorder usually does not end when pregnancy ends.

The postpartum period can bring major physical, emotional, and social changes. Staying connected to treatment can be especially important during this time.

Keep working with your opioid use disorder provider after delivery. Do not stop or change your medication on your own.

You should also discuss breastfeeding with your obstetric, pediatric, and treatment teams. ACOG generally encourages breastfeeding for eligible patients who remain stable on methadone or buprenorphine and have no other reason that would make breastfeeding unsafe.

Suboxone Treatment During Pregnancy in Tennessee

If you live in Tennessee and become pregnant while taking Suboxone, tell both your opioid use disorder treatment provider and your prenatal provider as soon as possible. They can review your health and decide what treatment makes sense for you.

If you are pregnant and currently using opioids, seeking treatment can help you become more stable and connect you with prenatal care.

Recovery Care of Columbia provides online Suboxone treatment for Tennessee residents. Pregnancy requires individual medical care, so a treating clinician must make medication decisions and coordinate them with your prenatal healthcare provider.

If you want to talk with RCC about treatment, call or text us today at (931) 548-3062.

Frequently Asked Questions About Suboxone During Pregnancy

Can you take Suboxone while pregnant?

In some cases, yes. Buprenorphine is an established treatment option for opioid use disorder during pregnancy. Some pregnant patients may also use the buprenorphine/naloxone combination under medical supervision. Your healthcare providers should decide which medication is appropriate for you.

What happens if I find out I’m pregnant while taking Suboxone?

Contact your Suboxone provider and prenatal healthcare provider. Do not abruptly stop Suboxone or change your dose on your own. Your providers can review your medication, pregnancy, health history, and treatment needs before recommending any changes.

Should I stop Suboxone when I become pregnant?

Not on your own. Suddenly stopping opioid use disorder treatment can cause withdrawal and raise the risk of relapse. Talk with your clinician before making any medication change.

Is buprenorphine safe during pregnancy?

Healthcare professionals use buprenorphine to treat opioid use disorder during pregnancy. ACOG and SAMHSA recognize buprenorphine and methadone as treatment options for pregnant patients with opioid use disorder.

Is naloxone in Suboxone dangerous during pregnancy?

Clinicians have historically preferred buprenorphine without naloxone during pregnancy to limit prenatal naloxone exposure. However, studies reviewed by ACOG found similar outcomes with buprenorphine/naloxone and buprenorphine alone. Your healthcare team should decide which option is appropriate for you.

Will my doctor switch me from Suboxone to Subutex during pregnancy?

Possibly, but not automatically. Some clinicians may recommend a buprenorphine-only medication, while others may decide that continuing buprenorphine/naloxone makes sense. Do not switch medications without medical guidance.

Can Suboxone cause my baby to experience withdrawal?

Babies exposed to buprenorphine during pregnancy can sometimes have temporary opioid withdrawal symptoms after birth. Healthcare professionals can monitor your baby and treat symptoms when needed.

Does Suboxone cause birth defects?

Available evidence has not shown buprenorphine used for opioid use disorder treatment to cause birth defects. You should still discuss all medications, supplements, and substance exposures with your prenatal provider.

Can I lower my Suboxone dose because I’m pregnant?

Do not lower your dose without talking with your prescribing clinician. Too little medication could allow withdrawal symptoms or cravings to return. Your clinician should base any dose change on your symptoms and medical needs.

Can I breastfeed while taking Suboxone?

Breastfeeding may be appropriate for many patients receiving buprenorphine treatment. Your individual health, treatment stability, medications, and other substance exposures can affect that decision. Talk with your treatment provider, OB-GYN, and your baby’s healthcare provider.

Who should manage my Suboxone during pregnancy?

Your opioid use disorder treatment provider and prenatal healthcare provider should work together whenever possible. Coordinated care helps both teams consider your medication, pregnancy, delivery, newborn care, and postpartum treatment.

The Bottom Line

So, can you take Suboxone while pregnant? In some cases, yes. Buprenorphine is an established treatment for opioid use disorder during pregnancy, and available evidence also supports the use of buprenorphine/naloxone in appropriately selected patients.

The right treatment depends on your individual health and circumstances.

If you find out you are pregnant while taking Suboxone, do not stop the medication or change your dose on your own. Contact your treatment provider and prenatal healthcare professional so they can review your situation and coordinate your care.

Staying stable in opioid use disorder treatment while receiving consistent prenatal care can support both your health and your baby’s health.

Request an Appointment Online

If you live in Tennessee and need treatment for opioid use disorder, you can request an appointment online. If you are pregnant, tell the RCC clinical team during intake and make sure your prenatal healthcare provider also knows about your opioid use disorder treatment.

Register with TennCare Medicaid — typically $0 out-of-pocket
Register with UHC Medicare Advantage
Register with commercial insurance
Register as a Self-Pay Patient
Apply for our sliding-scale program
Returning patients — restart treatment

Prefer to speak with someone first? Call or text us today at (931) 548-3062, or send us a secure message through the Spruce Health mobile app.

Registration does not guarantee a prescription or a specific medication. A licensed clinician must evaluate you and decide which treatment is appropriate.

Julie Mahinay
October 6, 2026
10:21 pm
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Julie Mahinay serves as Executive Assistant for Recovery Care of Columbia, providing administrative and operational support to the organization. She assists with website content management, administrative coordination, and other projects that support the clinic’s day-to-day operations and patient services.

(931) 548-3062