Suboxone was once hailed as a breakthrough drug in the medication-assisted treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD). However, the buprenorphine-naloxone medication has the potential to cause a litany of severe dental complications ranging from dental caries to tooth extractions.
Indivior Incorporated, the manufacturer of Suboxone, failed to warn users of these risks for two decades, despite a growing body of authoritative clinical literature revealing the drug’s potential to cause tooth erosion and decay. As a result, Suboxone users around the country have begun to file product liability lawsuits which allege that Indivior’s negligence and misrepresentations directly contributed to or caused their injuries.
Given the novelty of the litigation, we have compiled a list of common questions about eligibility, liability, and available compensation through Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits. We suspect that the number of claims will increase exponentially in the coming months and are closely following critical developments and court filings.
What Is Suboxone (Buprenorphine-Naloxone)?
Suboxone is a common medication used to treat opioid dependence. The primary ingredient in Suboxone, buprenorphine, is an opioid agonist that attaches to the brain’s mu receptors and diminishes the intensity of withdrawal and cravings.
Indivior Incorporated received FDA approval to sell the drug in American markets in 2002. Several years earlier, the company had elicited from the agency an Orphan Drug designation and a charter for a period of 7-year market exclusivity.
Upon the expiration of the Orphan Drug designation and the specter of market competition, Indivior invested in the development of additional modalities. Initially, Suboxone was administered in the form of an oral tablet, but later installments included both a sublingual and buccal film.
What Causes Suboxone Tooth Decay?
Oral pH levels play a crucial role in preserving dental health. Unfortunately, buprenorphine has highly acidic properties which can directly lead to the demineralization of tooth enamel and other dental complications.
Moreover, the increase in oral acidity linked to Suboxone is compounded by diminished salivary flow and dry mouth caused by buprenorphine, which would otherwise correct a chemical imbalance in the mouth. Recent research postulates that sublingually administered buprenorphine may also boost the virulence of Streptococcus mutans, an oral bacteria that metabolizes sugars and produces corrosive lactic acid.
Indivior’s sublingual and buccal Suboxone films are believed to pose the greatest risks to oral health in users and may cause or necessitate:
- Dental caries
- Cracked teeth
- Root canals
- Dental fillings
- Tooth extractions
Who Is Liable in Suboxone Lawsuits?
Indivior Incorporated either knew or ought to have known of the risks inherent in the use of oral buprenorphine-naloxone. However, the company’s concern for market dominance and profits compelled it to avoid open disclosures or warnings, until FDA intervention in 2022. As a result of Indivior’s “failure to warn” users of the dental complications linked to Suboxone, it breached the duty of care it owed to the public and may be held liable for their injuries.
In addition to Indivior, both Aquestive Therapeutics Incorporated and the manufacturer’s former parent company, Reckitt Benckiser, have appeared in Suboxone lawsuits. The former collaborated closely with Indivior to develop Suboxone and the latter may be liable for its pre-2014 oversight of Indivior’s business practices.
Who Can File a Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit?
The manufacturer of Suboxone refrained from warning the public about the risks of the medication for two decades, which means that the number of cases may increase exponentially in the coming months. In order to qualify for a Suboxone lawsuit, prospective plaintiffs must have:
- Received a Suboxone prescription prior to the 2022 safety label revisions
- Sustained severe dental injuries
- Satisfied the standards of the applicable statute of limitations
Every state maintains its own set of statutes of limitation for defective drug or product liability claims. The laws establish a legal timeframe within which a claim is still eligible to be filed. For Suboxone lawsuits, the applicable statutes of limitation activate upon the reception of a diagnosis or surgical procedure to correct or mitigate the dental damage caused by the drug.
How Much Is a Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit Worth?
There are a variety of online services that offer immediate compensation estimates for eligible plaintiffs. However, they fail to perform thorough assessments or calculate the intangible damages to which a plaintiff may be entitled.
In order to determine the financial assistance to which you may be entitled, a qualified personal injury lawyer will calculate the economic and non-economic damages available through a Suboxone settlement, such as:
- Medical costs – past, present, and future
- Lost wages or income
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Decreased quality of life
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
How Long Does a Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit Take?
It is difficult to determine precisely how long a Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit may take. Multiple variables factor into the duration of a Suboxone lawsuit from its initial filing to resolution. For example, if a sufficient number of Suboxone claims are filed and select plaintiffs submit a petition with the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) for case consolidation, a participating claim may take years to conclude.
Absent any mass tort claim scenarios, an eligible plaintiff may still have to wait through months of court filings and communications with the defense before initiating settlement negotiations. If Indivior intends to battle the claims vociferously, the company may file motions to dismiss or bring cases to trial, adding to the wait time.
Overall, the most important thing is to retain a competent and qualified personal injury lawyer to advocate on your behalf and navigate the complexities of civil procedure for product liability claims.
Should I Hire a Lawyer for My Suboxone Tooth Erosion Claim?
We strongly advise any prospective plaintiff in Suboxone lawsuits to seek the assistance of a qualified product liability lawyer as soon as possible. Satisfying the various deadlines, submitting requisite filings, and composing a compelling official complaint requires years of experience.
The advice and aid of legal counsel can alleviate plaintiffs of the burdens of defending themselves against a well-funded and stubborn corporate headquarters and provide them a better chance at acquiring the accountability and compensation they deserve.
In addition to fulfilling clerical roles and appearing before the court, qualified advocates can also access medical records, acquire and depose expert witnesses, and resolve complex liability issues in well-crafted and substantiated claims.
Why Choose Dolman Law for Your Suboxone Tooth Decay Claim
At Dolman Law Group, PA, we maintain a steadfast commitment to defending the rights of consumers against the irresponsible business practices of pharmaceutical companies. Our talented team of personal injury lawyers boasts a proven track record of success and possesses over 120 combined years of personal injury law experience.
Moreover, we have considerable familiarity with prosecuting defective drug lawsuits in recent years, confronting the manufacturers of Tylenol, Uloric, Tepezza, and Ozempic. Our primary goal is to ensure that our clients receive round-the-clock attention and rest assured that they can tend to their health and wellbeing while we protect their rights.
With the individualized treatment and diligence of a small firm and the resources and heft of a nationwide practice, we are on standby to provide advice, assistance, and support.
Contact Dolman Law Group for Help with Your Suboxone Lawsuit
Indivior Incorporated and its former parent company, Reckitt Benckiser, have a long history of corporate malfeasance. In recent years, they have settled lawsuits involving various antitrust violations and illicit marketing schemes, which have cost them hundreds of millions of dollars. As they face the prospect of product liability litigation, we are prepared to hold them accountable.
In a free consultation, our qualified Suboxone tooth decay lawyers can explain your rights, determine the eligibility of your claim, and calculate the compensation to which you may be entitled. Moreover, we work on a contingency-fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we successfully resolve your claim.
If you received a Suboxone prescription and subsequently developed severe dental complications, contact us today.