Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuits: What to Know
The Suboxone Lawsuit centers around claims that the drug, commonly used for opioid addiction treatment, causes severe dental injuries due to its acidic nature.
Primarily affecting individuals who used the sublingual film form of the medication, Suboxne Lawsuits allege that the manufacturers failed to warn patients about the risk of tooth decay and other dental issues.
Suboxone Lawsuits are filed against Indivior Inc., Aquestive Therapeutics Inc., and Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals Inc.
In November 2023, lawyers representing those suffering dental problems from Suboxone submitted a motion to consolidate Tooth Decay Suboxone Lawsuits.
In December 2023, defendants agreed on the issue of consolidation, and an MDL will likely be created soon.
The venue for the multidistrict litigation (MDL) centralizing Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuits will likely be the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.
If you were prescribed the branded drug Suboxone and subsequently suffered tooth decay, tooth loss, or other dental problems, you may be eligible to file a Suboxone Lawsuit.
Contact TruLaw today for a free consultation and to get in touch with a licensed Suboxone lawyer.
You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for the Suboxone Lawsuit instantly.
About Suboxone: Uses, Controversies, and Links to Injuries
Suboxone is a medication used to treat opioid addiction and withdrawal symptoms.
Suboxone combines buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist, with naloxone, an opioid antagonist, to prevent opioid misuse and alleviate dependency.
The opioid addiction treatment is commonly administered in sublingual form, either as films or tablets, which are placed under the tongue to dissolve, allowing for direct absorption into the bloodstream.
While Suboxone has played a crucial role in opioid addiction treatment, its use has been marred by controversies, including misleading marketing practices, obstructing generic competition, and now, claims about its safety and efficacy in regard to dental problems.
Due to false marketing and illegal business tactics to suppress competition from generic manufacturers, federal Suboxone lawsuits were filed against the company.
In 2019, a successful false claims act lawsuit was settled by the DOJ and resulted in significant settlements awarded to states to reimburse Suboxone users who overpaid.
The manufacturers and distributors of Suboxone have faced significant legal action in the past:
- October 2023: Indivior Inc. pays $385 million to settle final Suboxone monopoly lawsuits.
- August 2023: Indivior to pay $30 million settlement to state health plans.
- June 2023: Suboxone pays a settlement of over $102.5 million to 42 states.
- July 2019: US Justice Department obtains $1.4 billion from Reckitt Benckiser Group.
- May 2021: FTC announces it returned nearly $60 million to those who were overcharged.
Is The Suboxone Lawsuit for Suboxone Film Only?
No, the Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuits are also investigating claims from individuals who used Suboxone tablets.
Naloxone and buprenorphine medicines dissolved under the tongue may result in tooth decay due to the acidity of the medication.
If you have been prescribed Suboxone film or tablets and suffered tooth decay or other dental injuries, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit.
Is There a Suboxone Class Action Lawsuit?
No, there is not a Suboxone Class Action Lawsuit for those who have suffered injuries and tooth decay.
Rather, these lawsuits are pending consolidation into a multidistrict litigation (MDL).
Multidistrict litigation is a special federal legal procedure designed to cut costs and increase efficiency in lawsuits involving similar cases.
MDL is specifically chosen for cases like the Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit due to the common claims of tooth fractures and decay subsequent to using sublingual forms of the medication.
In MDL, as opposed to a class action lawsuit, cases retain their individuality.
This means that in the event of a Suboxone settlement for dental injuries, compensation would be distributed to plaintiffs according to the facts, damages, and circumstances of their individual case.
In a class action settlement, every person receives the same amount of money regardless of how they’ve been individually impacted.
What is the Average Suboxone Settlement Amount?
No Suboxone settlements have been reached in the tooth decay lawsuits.
However, Suboxone lawyers estimate that average Suboxone settlement amounts may range between $10,000 and over $150,000 per claimant depending on the circumstances in an individual case and how the litigation unfolds.
These Suboxone settlement projections are by no means a guarantee of compensation.
Suboxone settlement amounts are merely estimations based on other product liability cases.
For more insight on your potential Suboxone Lawsuit, contact us using the chat on this page for a free consultation.
Severe Dental Injuries and Tooth Decay Linked to Suboxone Use
Both tablet and film forms of Suboxone may lead to dental injuries by eroding tooth enamel, due to the drug’s acidic nature.
Scientific studies have confirmed that taking Suboxone is linked to an increased risk of tooth decay and dental damage.
Those affected often require extensive dental treatments, ranging from fillings and crowns to more complex procedures like root canals and dental implants, to cope with the damage caused by Suboxone use.
If you’ve experienced worsening dental health or suffered from severe dental issues after using Suboxone, you may be eligible to take legal action and file a Suboxone Lawsuit.
Contact TruLaw for a free consultation, or use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for the Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuits.
What Dental Injuries are Linked to Suboxone?
While beneficial to those treating opioid addiction and related withdrawal symptoms, Suboxone has been linked to tooth decay and other dental injuries.
Suboxone, particularly prescription Suboxone film, directly exposes the teeth to acid that can erode tooth enamel.
Erosion weakens the protective outer layer of the teeth, making them more susceptible to decay, sensitivity, and structural damage.
Dental problems potentially linked to taking Suboxone include:
- Tooth decay
- Tooth fractures
- Tooth loss
- Cavities
- Tongue injuries
- Gum injuries
- Dental caries
- Other dental injuries
How are Suboxone Patients Affected by Dental Problems?
Patients taking Suboxone have been significantly impacted by dental injuries, often without prior knowledge of the medication’s link to such issues.
Some were unaware that their dental problems could be attributed to taking Suboxone, leading to a lack of early intervention.
The repercussions of these dental issues extend beyond physical discomfort, affecting individuals psychologically and socially due to altered appearance and self-esteem.
Financially, the burden can be substantial, as dental treatments for such injuries are often costly and not always covered by insurance.
This financial barrier leaves many unable to afford the necessary care, compounding the stress and impact on their overall quality of life.
The combined effect of these factors creates a challenging situation for those affected, as they navigate the unexpected consequences of a medication intended to aid their recovery from opioid dependence.
What Dental Treatments are Needed to Correct Suboxone Injuries?
People who have taken Suboxone and experienced dental issues often find themselves seeking various dental treatments to address the resulting damage.
Dental treatments focus on restoring the health and integrity of teeth that have been compromised by enamel erosion and decay.
Treatments range from basic restorative procedures to more complex and extensive dental operations, depending on the severity of the dental problems.
Treatments for dental problems from Suboxone use include:
- Dental Fillings
- Crowns or Caps
- Root Canal Treatment
- Tooth Extractions
- Dental Implants
- Gum Disease Treatment
- Orthodontic Treatments
- Dental Veneers
- Dentures
- Composite Bonding
- Fluoride Treatments
January 2022 FDA Warning: Dental Problems Associated with Buprenorphine Medications Dissolved in the Mouth
In January 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about the risk of dental problems, including tooth decay, cavities, erosion, and even total tooth loss, associated with buprenorphine medicines dissolved in the mouth for treating opioid use disorder (OUD) and pain.
According to the FDA, these dental issues have been reported even in patients without prior dental problems and are linked to buprenorphine products like tablets and films used under the tongue or inside the cheek, while other forms like skin patches and injections haven’t shown these dental concerns.
As a result of the FDA warning, the drug manufacturers of Suboxone placed a warning label on their products about tooth decay and dental problems.
Research in the Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit
Several scientific studies have explored or mentioned the connections between dental injuries and the use of Suboxone.
Studies have consistently shown an increased risk of dental conditions like cavities, tooth erosion, and gum problems in individuals taking Suboxone, in contrast to individuals on different opioid addiction therapies.
The root of these dental issues lies in the acidic composition of Suboxone; as it dissolves in the mouth, in can erode tooth enamel, leading to deteriorated oral health and potential oral infections.
Scientific research on the dental health effects of Suboxone include:
- Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin: Dental adverse effects of sublingual buprenorphine and naloxone
- University of British Columbia: Association Between Sublingual Buprenorphine-Naloxone Exposure and Dental Disease
- Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics: Induction of Opioid-Dependent Individuals Onto Buprenorphine and Buprenorphine/Naloxone Soluble-Films
- Expert Opinion on Drug Safety: Sublingual/Buccal buprenorphine and dental problems: a pharmacovigilance study
- Reactions Weekly: Buprenorphine/naloxone Dental caries: case report
Do You Qualify for the Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit?
Dental problems arising from taking Suboxone can be profoundly challenging for those affected, significantly impacting their oral health and overall quality of life.
Dental issues often require extensive and costly dental treatments, adding a burden to the physical discomfort and emotional distress experienced by the individuals.
The high cost of addressing these dental issues can be financially overwhelming, particularly for those already grappling with the challenges of opioid addiction recovery, making it difficult for some to afford the necessary care.
If you have suffered tooth decay, tooth loss, or other dental problems after taking Suboxone, you may be eligible to file a Suboxone Lawsuit.
Contact TruLaw for a free consultation, or use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify to file a Suboxone Lawsuit instantly.
Suboxone Lawyers can help victims of dental issues throughout the legal process, helping them gather evidence and assess damages.
Gathering Evidence for Suboxone Lawsuits
Evidence is extremely important in personal injury and product liability cases.
An experienced lawyer can help you gather and retain crucial evidence, but this is a step of the legal process you can begin on your own.
Potential evidence in Suboxone Lawsuits may include:
- Medical records
- Dental health records
- Documentation showing you were prescribed Suboxone
- X-ray images of damaged teeth
- Photos and videos
- Any other evidence documenting Suboxone use and subsequent dental health problems
Assessing Damages in Suboxone Lawsuits
Damages refer to the total amount of losses, economic and non-economic, incurred as a result of using Suboxone and developing dental problems.
An experienced lawyer will work with you to determine and calculate damages relevant in your case.
Potential damages in Suboxone Lawsuits may include:
- Medical bills (past, present, & future)
- Dental bills
- Lost wages or earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Lost quality of life
- Permanent disability
- Emotional damages
- Other potential compensatory and punitive damages
TruLaw: Investigating the Suboxone Tooth Decay Litigation
Our law firm is currently investigating the Suboxone Lawsuit and identifying strategies to help those who have suffered take action and seek justice.
Scientific research has confirmed that individuals who take Suboxone are at an increased risk to suffer tooth decay and other major dental risks.
Suboxone Lawsuits are currently being filed to address these issues.
If you or a loved one suffered severe tooth decay, worsening dental health, or dental injuries after taking Suboxone, you may be eligible to file a Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit.
Contact TruLaw for a free consultation to find out if you qualify for the Suboxone Lawsuit.
Use the chatbot on this page for a free and instant case evaluation to find out if you qualify to file a Suboxone Lawsuit.