New Suboxone Lawsuit: Teeth Decay Linked to Opioid Treatment

Understanding the Link Between Suboxone and Dental Issues

The new Suboxone lawsuit alleges that physician-prescribed Suboxone film, a sublingual buprenorphine-naloxone medication, leads to severe dental injuries when taken as directed to treat opioid addiction.

Plaintiffs claim they were not adequately warned of risks to their dental health.

A growing number of federal Suboxone lawsuits have been filed by patients who claim the prescription medication used to treat opioid dependence caused them to suffer severe tooth decay and other serious dental problems.

Scope of the Suboxone Tooth Decay Claims

Lawsuits filed in multiple states by patients who were prescribed Suboxone film for opioid use disorder highlight the alleged link between the partial opioid agonist medication and serious dental problems.

Key aspects of the Suboxone tooth decay claims include, but are not limited to:

• Increasing reports of severe dental decay and oral infections in patients taking Suboxone sublingual films
• Many plaintiffs say they experienced worsening dental health soon after starting Suboxone
• Suboxone patients often require costly and painful dental procedures to address the damage
• Lawsuits filed in multiple states by patients who were prescribed Suboxone film for opioid use disorder

These lawsuits highlight the alleged link between the partial opioid agonist medication and serious dental problems.

Plaintiffs argue that Suboxone product liability lawsuits are warranted by the manufacturer’s failure to disclose risks properly.

How Suboxone May Affect Oral Health

The Suboxone film, which contains buprenorphine and naloxone in a sublingual strip, allegedly affects the mouth in several ways.

Key effects on oral health may include:

• Dry Mouth: The opioid agonist properties of buprenorphine can reduce saliva flow. Saliva helps neutralize acid and prevent tooth decay, so chronic dry mouth is a major risk factor.
• Acidic pH: As the Suboxone film dissolves under the tongue, it may create an acidic environment in the mouth. This acidity can erode tooth enamel, increasing the risk of tooth erosion and cavities.
• Prolonged Contact: The sublingual buprenorphine-naloxone film takes more than 15 minutes to dissolve fully, meaning teeth are bathed in the acidic medication, with less saliva to buffer it.
• Oral Microbiome Changes: Some research suggests Suboxone may alter the balance of bacteria in the mouth, enabling more cavity-causing organisms to flourish.

While more studies are needed, plaintiffs argue these factors combine to rapidly damage dental health in people taking Suboxone to treat opioid addiction.

The lawsuits allege manufacturers knew or should have known and warned of these risks.

Common Dental Problems Reported by Suboxone Patients

Plaintiffs in the Suboxone dental lawsuits describe a number of serious dental problems they attribute to buprenorphine medications prescribed for opioid dependence:

Frequently alleged injuries include:

• Rampant Caries: Many Suboxone patients report a rapid onset of severe, widespread cavities and tooth decay. Damage often starts soon after the sublingual films begin.
• Enamel Erosion: Teeth may become soft, translucent, and brittle as enamel is eroded by chronic exposure to the acidic Suboxone film, with dentin exposed.
• Fractures and Tooth Loss: Weakened enamel and dentin can cause teeth to chip, break, and require extraction. Some plaintiffs report losing multiple teeth.
• Dental Abscesses: Suboxone patients may develop painful abscesses as decay spreads to the tooth pulp. This often requires root canals or tooth extraction.

These dental injuries can progress rapidly in patients taking Suboxone, resulting in extensive, costly dental work and significant pain.

The new Suboxone lawsuit alleges these risks should have been disclosed.

Plaintiffs' Claims in the New Suboxone Lawsuit

In the new Suboxone lawsuit filed in federal courts, plaintiffs argue the prescription medication caused widespread, severe dental injuries that they were not properly warned about.

They accuse manufacturers of:

Failure to Warn of Dental Risks

Plaintiffs allege that Indivior and other Suboxone manufacturers didn’t adequately disclose oral health risks when prescribing information and marketing.

Key allegations include:

• Labels on doctor-prescribed Suboxone film lacked clear warnings about tooth decay
• No instructions were provided for minimizing dental health risks, such as rinsing the mouth after the sublingual film dissolved
• Sales reps allegedly downplayed concerns if dentists or physicians asked about dental side effects
• Patients claim if properly warned; they could’ve made informed decisions about opioid use disorder treatment

The new Suboxone lawsuit argues this lack of transparency prevented patients and doctors from recognizing dental issues or taking preventive steps until significant harm occurred.

Plaintiffs Seek Compensation for Extensive Dental Treatments

Plaintiffs in the new Suboxone lawsuit describe needing major dental work to address severe tooth decay and loss of teeth after taking the buprenorphine-naloxone films.

Many have incurred steep bills that are not covered by insurance.

Damages sought include:

• Costs of restorative treatments like fillings, crowns, bridges, and implants due to tooth erosion
• Reimbursement for tooth extractions and dentures
• Payment for anticipated future dental needs due to Suboxone-related oral health damage
• Pain and suffering related to dental injuries and treatments
• Punitive damages for allegedly concealing risks from patients and physicians

For some plaintiffs in the new Suboxone lawsuit, dental bills have exceeded tens of thousands of dollars.

The suits aim to hold manufacturers financially accountable for these alleged harms.

Potential Defenses and Next Steps in the New Suboxone Lawsuit

As the litigation progresses, the manufacturers will likely raise several defenses against the product liability claims.

The outcome of the new Suboxone lawsuit remains to be seen.

Potential Defenses Against Plaintiffs’ Claims

Indivior and other defendants have not yet publicly responded to the specific allegations in these mass tort lawsuits, but they may argue:

Possible defense strategies include:

• Labels on Suboxone sublingual films did mention dental problems as a potential side effect, although not prominently
• Prescribing doctors and dentists should advise patients about heightened oral care needs with any opioid agonist medication
• The benefits of Suboxone for opioid dependence treatment outweigh the risks to dental health
• Plaintiffs may have had other risk factors for tooth decay unrelated to their Suboxone use
• More research is needed to prove sublingual buprenorphine-naloxone exposure directly causes dental injuries definitively

Ultimately, federal courts will weigh the evidence in the new Suboxone lawsuit.

Expert testimony from dentists and researchers will likely play a key role.

Next Steps in the New Suboxone Lawsuit

The new Suboxone lawsuit is in its early stages, with new cases being filed before the statute of limitations.

The litigation process for Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits could take years.

Expected next steps include:

• Consolidation: The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation may consolidate cases into a Suboxone MDL, likely in the Northern District of Ohio, for streamlined pretrial proceedings.
• Discovery: Attorneys will gather evidence, including medical records on plaintiffs’ Suboxone film prescriptions, dental problems, and treatment. Internal Indivior documents will also be scrutinized.
• Bellwether Trials: A small number of representative cases in the new Suboxone lawsuit may be tried first to assess the strength of the tooth decay claims and set expectations for potential settlement talks.
• Global Resolution: If the bellwether trials suggest a strong link between Suboxone and dental injuries, the manufacturers may seek to negotiate a large-scale settlement program.
• Eligibility Criteria: If a settlement is reached in the new Suboxone lawsuit, criteria will be set for which patients who suffered severe tooth decay qualify and how to submit claims.

The new Suboxone lawsuit will take time to resolve, but it is an important test of drug maker responsibility for dental side effects patients say should’ve been disclosed.

Future updates will be closely watched.

Steps to Take If You've Suffered Dental Problems from Suboxone

If you’ve experienced severe tooth decay or other dental problems while taking physician-prescribed Suboxone film for opioid dependence, you may be able to file a claim in the new Suboxone lawsuit.

How to Pursue a Claim in the New Suboxone Lawsuit

Start by understanding the basis of the lawsuit and how Suboxone use is linked to dental issues.

Knowing the eligibility criteria will help you determine if you have a valid claim.

Here are the steps to follow to ensure your case is properly documented and submitted:

1. Document Suboxone Use: Gather medical records showing your Suboxone film prescription, including the dose and duration of treatment for opioid use disorder.
2. Compile Dental Records: Request charts from your dentists, especially from the time you were taking Suboxone. Note any remarks about atypical tooth decay or oral health deterioration.
3. Detail Your Experience: Write out a timeline of your dental injuries, the impact on your life, and any concerns you raised to your prescribing physicians.
4. Contact an Attorney: Reach out to a law firm handling claims in the new Suboxone lawsuit to have your situation evaluated. They can advise if you’re eligible to file a claim.
5. File Your Claim: If the attorney believes you have a valid case, they will initiate the process of submitting a complaint on your behalf. You may need to sign agreements and authorizations.

Importance of Experienced Representation in the New Suboxone Lawsuit

Suing a pharmaceutical company in federal court is a complex task, requiring specific legal expertise and medical knowledge to build a persuasive case.

This is why having an experienced attorney is critical if you’re considering filing a claim in the new Suboxone lawsuit.

Key benefits of knowledgeable counsel include:

• Case Assessment: They can thoroughly analyze your medical and dental history to determine if you have a viable claim in the new Suboxone lawsuit.
• Evidence Gathering: Attorneys work with experts to compile proof supporting the link between sublingual buprenorphine-naloxone and dental decay.
• Procedural Rules: The new Suboxone lawsuit will have strict requirements and deadlines. Your lawyer will ensure all paperwork is filed properly and punctually.
• Settlement Negotiation: In mass tort litigation like the new Suboxone lawsuit, attorneys for many plaintiffs collaborate to negotiate a global settlement with the manufacturers.
• Maximizing Recovery: Seasoned attorneys fight for your rights and seek the highest possible financial compensation for your tooth decay and related damages.

Choosing a law firm such as TruLaw can greatly increase your settlement value.

The attorneys at TruLaw are proud of their track record of success in product liability lawsuits over drug side effects and ample resources to pursue your best outcome in the new Suboxone lawsuit.