Suboxone® and Caffeine

While taking Suboxone® (buprenorphine/naloxone) as part of your recovery, you might be curious about how caffeine fits in. Whether it’s your morning coffee, an energy drink in the afternoon, or a soda with dinner, caffeine is a regular part of life for many people. But can caffeine interfere with Suboxone or impact withdrawal symptoms? 

While caffeine is not known to interact with Suboxone, it can affect how you feel. That’s because both substances influence your nervous system, energy levels, and even your mood. Some people find caffeine helps them feel more alert. Others may notice it increases anxiety, jitters, or worsens side effects like restlessness or trouble sleeping.

So, is caffeine safe to use while taking Suboxone? And how much is too much? Let’s take a look.

Can I drink coffee while taking Suboxone?

In most cases, it’s safe to drink coffee or use caffeine while taking Suboxone, especially if it’s in moderation. There are no known dangerous interactions between caffeine and Suboxone. However, it’s a good idea to avoid drinking coffee, soda, or other beverages for about 15 to 30 minutes before and after your Suboxone dose. This gives the medication time to dissolve fully under your tongue or against your cheek, fully absorbing into your system. 

If you’re using the “Suboxone spit trick” (letting the tablet dissolve, then spitting out excess saliva), caffeine may make this process more difficult by increasing saliva production. Taking your Suboxone before you enjoy your coffee can help prevent this.

While caffeine or drinking coffee won’t interfere with your medication, if you’re sensitive to caffeine, it can make you feel jittery or increase sleep problems. If that’s the case, you don’t have to give up your morning cup of joe. Instead, steer clear of caffeine after lunchtime so you can get a better night’s rest. 

Does caffeine interact with Suboxone?

Suboxone is a partial opioid agonist, meaning it binds to opioid receptors in the brain to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. However, it doesn’t produce the same feelings of euphoria as full opioids like heroin, fentanyl, or oxycodone. 

On the flipside, caffeine is a stimulant that impacts brain chemicals like dopamine and adrenaline. Although they don’t directly block or cancel each other out, using them together can affect how you feel.

Here’s how:

1. Caffeine may intensify Suboxone’s side effects

Suboxone can sometimes have stimulant-like side effects for some people, including insomnia, restlessness, and increased heart rate. 

Since caffeine also stimulates the nervous system, combining the two may amplify these effects, leading to:

• Feeling restless, jittery, or anxious
• Faster or irregular heartbeat
• Trouble sleeping
  

Caffeine may increase these effects, especially if you drink large amounts or have it late in the day. If you find yourself feeling more on edge after a latte or Red Bull, this could be the combined effect of caffeine and Suboxone. Cutting back on caffeinated beverages or switching to a lower dose of caffeine can help. 

2. Caffeine can alter Suboxone’s absorption

For Suboxone to work effectively, it must be absorbed under the tongue (sublingually) or dissolved against the inside of your cheek. If you swallow or wash it away with a beverage too soon, you might lose some of the buprenorphine before it’s fully absorbed. This is the medication ingredient that helps reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Also, caffeine can increase saliva production and cause mild dehydration, both of which could interfere with how much of your Suboxone dose gets absorbed. 

To make sure your dose works the way it should:

• Take Suboxone before drinking coffee, tea, energy drinks, or anything. Wait at least 15 minutes after your dose has dissolved before swishing or swallowing liquids in your mouth. This will help ensure your dose is fully absorbed. You can set a timer to help you keep track. 
• Stay hydrated throughout the day. This is especially important if you’re drinking caffeine. Caffeine can naturally dehydrate you, and that dehydration may reduce Suboxone’s effectiveness. Try to drink at least 8 glasses of water every day. 

3. Caffeine may mask fatigue from PAWS or Suboxone adjustments

It’s normal to experience fatigue in opioid recovery, especially in the first few months of treatment. Suboxone itself can cause mild drowsiness, and you might also feel tired if you’re dealing with post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) symptoms. 

Caffeine can temporarily boost your energy, but it can also make it harder to understand what your body really needs. What might feel like a lack of energy could actually mean: 

• Your Suboxone dose is too high or too low.
• You’re experiencing PAWS-related fatigue.
• You might need better nutrition, hydration, or rest instead of more caffeine.
  

If you’re relying on caffeine to get through the day, talk with your QuickMD provider. You don’t have to figure it out alone. Your provider can help you get to the bottom of how you’re feeling. They might recommend adjusting your Suboxone dose, or offer support for sleep, nutrition, or other areas of your recovery. 

Best practices for using caffeine while on Suboxone

Caffeine isn’t off-limits, but enjoying it in moderation can help support your recovery. Here are a few ways to make sure it’s working with (not against) your treatment.

1. Time your caffeine intake around your Suboxone dose

To ensure that caffeine doesn’t interfere with Suboxone’s absorption, here are some helpful guidelines:

• Take Suboxone first, then wait between 15 and 30 minutes before drinking your coffee, tea, or energy drink.
• Avoid swishing beverages around in your mouth right after taking Suboxone. This can wash away the medication before it fully absorbs.
• If you experience jitters or anxiety, try spacing your caffeine intake further from your Suboxone dose or switching to a lower-caffeine drink. 

2. Limit your intake to prevent overstimulation

Too much caffeine can make you feel anxious or overstimulated, especially when your body is already working hard to heal. Here are a few tips to try: 

• Keep your caffeine intake under 400mg per day (about 4 small cups of brewed coffee or 2 energy drinks).
• Switch to lower-caffeine options, like green tea or half-caff coffee, if you’re feeling jittery.
• Avoid caffeine in the late afternoon or evening. This can help prevent sleep disturbances, which can worsen cravings and mood swings.

3. Stay hydrated to counteract caffeine’s diuretic effect

Caffeine is a diuretic, which means it can cause you to lose fluids and become dehydrated. This can lead to headaches, dizziness, or dry mouth. If you’re already experiencing these symptoms, the dehydration caused by caffeine might make them feel worse. 

Here are some tips for staying hydrated: 

• Drink several cups of water daily. And drink extra water if you’re having multiple caffeinated beverages.
• Try pairing coffee with a glass of water.
• Watch out for energy drinks with added stimulants that can dehydrate you even more.

4. Monitor how caffeine affects your mood and cravings

Caffeine can sometimes spike anxiety, increase mood swings, or make cravings feel more intense. Everyone reacts differently, so pay attention to:

• Feeling more irritable or anxious after caffeine. If you notice this, try cutting back.
• Having more cravings on days you drink more coffee. Consider switching to a milder stimulant, like matcha or herbal tea.
• Sleep issues that seem worse after caffeine use. Caffeine may be disrupting your natural recovery process.

5. Adjust your caffeine intake based on your recovery needs

Every person reacts differently to caffeine. Some people feel fine with coffee in recovery. Others do better with less. You know your body best. 

If you’re feeling anxious, have trouble sleeping, or have worsening cravings, it may be worth trying:

• Lower doses of caffeine (switching to tea or half-caff coffee).
• Caffeine-free alternatives, like golden milk, herbal teas, or vitamin B12, for energy.
• A short caffeine detox to see how your mind, mood, and body feel without it. 
  

While adjusting your caffeine intake can help, you don’t have to figure it out by yourself. Talk to your provider about any symptoms you’re experiencing. We’re here to listen to your concerns and help you take back control of your health at every step of your recovery. 

QuickMD: expert support for Suboxone treatment and recovery

When you’re recovering from OUD, factors like caffeine, stress, and cravings are just a few of the things you might have questions about. And that’s okay. These are all normal parts of the recovery process. And you don’t have to navigate them alone. If you’re feeling off, noticing new symptoms, or unsure whether your caffeine use is helping or hurting, our team at QuickMD is here for you.