Generic Suboxone Pills Vs Brand Name Strips

I was started on Suboxone strips and paid out of pocket first week. Found out that ins will pay for Suboxone but I have to start with the pills and a pre-auth. So I pick up the generic pills, same dose as strips were and they aren't nearly as strong... Feeling a lot of cravings and w/d's and needed to take more to keep them at bay. The only way ins will pay for strips is if I have some sort of problem taking the pills.... What can I say to the Dr so he will switch my pre-auth to the strips? Called pharmacy and he said if you go from strips to pills you may need to increase your dose by 35% to get the results as you got from strips... Can anyone please help?

REPLY

REPORT

Hi. The answer to ur question: what kind of insurance do u have? I know most ins including Medicaid will pay for strips but u have to get a pre auth from doc office. I've taken the pills before and found them to be worthless. The strips keep me free from cravings and I don't even think about or have the urge to take any other opiates. I had a rough time with the pre auth though because u need to have a lot of requested info like drug panels, doc notes, updates since last visits and so on. Not sure if u still are wondering but I am here to help if u have any more questions. Also they will deny about three times and request info saying they did not receive it after I know in fact it had been sent. So they will give u a run around. Also u need to mark all pages urgent or they will take two weeks to get to it instead of two days. Not first page, all pages.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 5

That is very odd. I was in the original suboxone tablets until they were discontinued and I went on the generic tablets. The strips are a total joke and they completely destroyed their own product i.m.o, just to have some kind of new patent. They do absolutely nothing for me. Try the orange AN 415 tablets and if they don't work for you (and they should) try either the 155 half moons or the 93 5721, though the half moons work like s*** for my pain but hold over my cravings pretty good. It's nuts though because everybody else I've heard from hates the strips and thinks they are worthless. Luckily, I'm now on generic subutex (bupe only) 54 411 pill and they blow all bupe/nalox pills out of the water and are way cheaper. Maybe your doctor will prescribe them?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Doctors won't prescribe subutex unless you are allergic to naloxone. It's a straight battle with a doc to get subutex; which is cheaper and doesn't have the naloxone in them. If you read the pamphlet from the company, the naloxone if taken correctly aka sublingual or buccal is 99.99% INEFFECTIVE. It only really works when someone tries to administer the strip or pill intravenously. Hmmm so I've never failed a drug panel and never took heroin, so why am I on suboxone and not subutex? A question we should all be asking our pdocs.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

Ur taking the exact same medication. Its all in your head. As addicts we are people of habit and when ur meds change appearance we get nervous.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 8

I was in the same situation im prescribe through the VA Hospital Pharmacy. I suggest you tell your doctor the generic pills are damage your teeth and tooth enamel it's a side effect that is not listed with the normal side effects... My doctor then switched my script from generic white pill form to the suboxone sublingual film or strip.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Does anyone know if I would be saving money with the generic pill form as opposed to the strips? My Medicare cuts cost in half, but it's still $259.00 per month.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Agreed. I started off on Suboxone tablets years ago. When my doctor began prescribing the strips, I went into a total panic because it was something NEW. I've also taken Subutex for several months and found both medications to work exactly the same. Six in one, half a dozen in the other.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

Seneca? I'm totally new to Subutex and this forum. Has anyone experienced severe mood swings on Suboxone now Subutex? I was detoxed down from being on methadone for about 10 years at 120 mgs...I was detoxed from 120-9 in less than 30 days as I lost my insurance. I'm a mom and a wife and a total DEPRESSED WRECK. You seem to be so kind and have experience here - will my brain ever get normal? The mood swings are so miserable. I have anger, then like manic energy and cry for hours. My Paxil and Klonopin aren't working. I'm just so glad the physical symptoms have stopped (I was a walking zombie). I was so proud, I never thought I'd get out of that place but now 2 weeks in I have this...

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I stared taking suboxone strips 3 years ago. Recently my insurance has decided to only pay for the suboxone pills I've been on that pills for 4 months now THEY ARE NOTHING LIKE THE STRIPS I'm prescribed the same amount but the result isn't the same by far. I feel nauseous everyday my muscles hurt im irritable it feels as if I'm weaning myself off of them. If given a choice take the strips. The pills suck....

REPLY

Was this helpful? 6

Re: Tre6chamberz (# 3)

The reason is that the naloxone prevents you from feeling high by intravenous administration. It even prevents you from feeling high if you take something while on the suboxone. It's not perfect, but it works. Why would a doctor give you a medication that is so easy to feel high on (subutex) when the other medication (suboxone) is less likely to do so? If you don't believe the getting high part, it doesn't matter. Street valuations for the subutex are 5x that of the combo product (suboxone), that proves there is a much higher demand for it. Subutex is only supposed to be given to pregnant women or people with a true allergy to naloxone.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Josh (# 4)

I agree. I just got switched over to the generic tabs after being on suboxone films for 3 years. What's weird is that they honestly don't feel as strong as the films. But maybe it's in my head. I also got nauseous, running to bathroom, chills, body aches, head ache and my tongue on fire. Is there maybe an inactive ingredient in these generic tabs that are causing all this? I'm also itchy. Yet I never had issues with suboxone tabs or films. I started on suboxone tabs for first five years then had to change over to films three years ago. Now today my insurance is not covering the films so now I am taking generic tabs. I don't feel the same at all. And actually very tired. I just find it so weird. I do agree with your comment though because mind over matter can do so much! And I thought this was all in my head. This all happened to me after taking one this morning. So I took my second dose tonight. Same reactions. What's that about? It's the same two active ingredients so I am stumped. Unless like I said maybe I'm having an adverse reaction to a non active ingredient in them. Pharmists said that as well. Now I have to go back to my dr tom morning and tell her I can't take these and have her call my insurance company to get them to switch me back to films. I don't want to go through withdrawal even though I'm supposedly on same dose which is 8/2mgs. I was taking 8/2mgs twice a day of films and now I'm on generic tabs same dose and still twice a day. I don't get it. I guess everyone is different though and certain forms of suboxone react differently to others. I always found strips worked better. Plus being on the tabs first five years rotted out all my teeth. So now I'm 40 awaiting oral surgery on my entire mouth as I need full extractions of all teeth. And then get dentures. Fantastic! My urines have always been negative and I have never abused my suboxone. I always take under my tongue as directed and never more than directed. Always under Drs orders. I'm just so bummed I'm having a hard time on these generic tabs. Not to mention half of my tooth fell off tonight just from taking one tab. It was already cracked but that just gave it one final push to break off. Tabs are awful for your teeth!!!!! I always folded my film and stuck under tongue. Never gave me dental issues. Any feedback would be great! I'm praying my dr can get the insurance to switch back my meds to films. If not I don't know what to do. Thanks friends!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 4

Anyone have dental issues with the suboxone films?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

Same thing happened to me. Tell dr and pharmacist that you are having an allergic reaction from nonactive ingredients in the generic tablets. I actually did have allergic reactions from those tabs. Itchy skin, nauseous, diahrea, couldn't eat. Ugh I felt like I had the flu. I really couldn't take them. So my dr contacted my insurance company (after I called my dr to be seen asap and I notified my pharmacist) and my dr just had to send over a new prior auth stating I needed to go back on films because I could not take the generic tablets. It was a pain getting them approved but it finally was. I only took them for one day and had those awful reactions. I looked like death. But you can't wait. You need to call dr asap. That's my situation. And no those generic tablets were terrible and I've been on suboxone tablets for years with no issues and then the films no issues. Something about those generic tablets though are awful. For me anyway. Then again everyone is different. My dr told me a lot of patients complaining about these generic tabs not being strong enough etc. they shouldn't be switching patients from films to generic tablets and not increasing their dosage. More people will get sick or relapse. It's a shame but apparently an insurance issue. Insurance does not want to cover the films. More money.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Re: Josh (# 4)

You are correct to a point. However, I was on the films for 3 years and got switched to generic tablets. One day I got very ill. Allergic reaction to non active ingredients. Some people do have different reactions to switching their meds to generic. And each generic brand has different percentages of the active drugs as well. You actually need to take 35% more of the generic tablets to reach the same dose as the films. They are very weak and did nothing for me but make me sick. As soon as I got back on the films I was much better. But again, everyone is different. I had rash all over my face and neck, nausea, diahrea, couldn't eat at all, severely dehydrated and just utterly sick. I was so glad to get off of those generic tabs. I've been on suboxone tabs in the beginning of treatment for years and then switched to films and I had no issue with either one of those two. Both worked well for me. Was just the generic tabs that made me feel terrible. So it wasn't in my head.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Re: sweet thing (# 9)

I agree! I hate the pills. I’m considering begging the doctor to put me back on the strips! I have only been on the pill for two days and I’m miserable!!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

You need to tell your Dr that you’re having a bad reaction for the generic tabs. From inactive ingredients. It actually happened to me. It was awful and I was so sick. So my dr had to send over a new prior auth to my insurance stating I had to switch back to films and why. They approved it so now I’m back on strips. They work best for me! Good luck! I know how you feel.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Re: jenn (# 12)

Yes! I now have to have all my teeth extracted from taking the tablets. They rotted out all of my teeth. And I had beautiful teeth. I’m only 40. Be careful! I brushed frequently and rinsed Out my mouth but they still rotted them out. Very painful. Now insurance won’t pay for full extraction only half and they won’t cover no dentures. They really should tell people in side effects or warnings that this medication will rot out your teeth.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Lisa2017 (# 15)

Hi Lisa! I went through the same thing. The generic tabs aren’t as strong as the films. That’s why. I was so sick when my insurance switched me from films to generic tabs. So my dr had to send in another prior auth to switch me back on films. They work best for me but everyone is different. Good luck! If you don’t feel any better don’t wait because the longer you wait your Dr will give you a hard time switching you back by waiting too long. I took the generic tabs for one day and I felt like death so I saw my dr that next morning. I needed to get back on the strips. Once I did I felt like myself again. Good luck!!!!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

I've been on Suboxone strips on and off since 2011. Recently my insurance which I have hip plus contacted me saying i had to switch to the generic tablets. Well I thought it was just people on my type of insurance and that hip or mdwise just didn't want to pay out so much for brand name. Turns out my doctor office is switching everyone reguardless even if you don't have insurance and pay outta pocket. I'm on 1 and a half 8mg/2mg right now and just switched 3 days ago. I don't see much difference in them making sure I don't go into detox and I'm having no issues with cravings but I'm noticing other issues. My stomach has been really uneasy and I'm getting headaches often throughout the day since the switch. Also I'm having a really hard time getting to sleep whereas on the strips that has never been an issue. I just gotta wonder is it the tabs or in my head? I would think if it was in my head if feel sick to and have cravings. I'd think I'd have issues all around like many other people talk about on here. I don't see my doc let alone my insurance switching back since they made the whole treatment center swap over. Hopefully, it just lets up after a week and it's just a time thing with these tabs. I'd hate to get to the point of f*** it cause I'm feeling s***ty everyday since this last almost two years on the strips is the best I've ever done sticking to the program, passing my drug panels, going to meetings and just all around working the program correctly. Lot of work down the drain if something doesn't give. Gonna just try my best to adjust I guess cause I can't think of any other options in my situation.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Tara (# 11)

I just got switched today from films to suboxone tabs and my nurse said to put it on cheeck instead if under tongue bc i would get all the medication that way. I also had a friend tell me that a while back. Hope that's helpful.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

My insurance changed me to the generic pill form I’d feel as if i was detoxing and **within a year I put on a lot of weight Has anyone else had this issue ? Just a week ago they demanded me get back in the strips . I know one other person went through the same thing. It’s a lot of water weight !!!!! About. A week ago the insurance switched me back to
The strips !! Has anyone else went through this ?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I was switched from suboxone films to the generic pills because of Medicaid reasons, of course. I absolutely hate these pills! I've been taking them for over a year now and I was taking the strips for 3-4 years prior to this switch. My husband always complained about his teeth starting to deteriorate from suboxone and I thought he was crazy but now I see it's a symptom that's not talked about so that's nice to know that it's actually reality. What I'm having an issue with is my lazy eye, when I was little I had surgery and it was fine up until I started taking opiates. You couldn't miss my lazy eye, it was awful. When I was sober it was fine, my eyes were straight! Even on the strips if my lazy eye started acting up it was very subtle. Ever since the switch to the generics my lazy eye has been the worst it has ever been! It's really making me uncomfortable and I talked to my doctor today and he said to go see an eye doctor and have them write a letter that the generic medication is causing this and then he will put it through to Medicaid and write me a script for the strips. So far with my research it is an actual side effect to have a lazy eye on buprenorphine. I don't know if I can actually prove if it's the generic vs brand name that's causing it big I know it is, when I look at my pictures in January of 2017 my eyes are straight and every picture of me before that when I was on opiates. February of 2017 and after is when my eye took a turn for the worse which is exactly when the switch happened! I don't take pictures of myself or with my daughters or husband and it's sad. I don't want to be this uncomfortable about it but it's awful. I have been patient and tried to be positive but it's time to try and figure out what I can do to get some results!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Re: Jack (# 28)

Speaking of sounding like a clown, you're the one whose wrong. The Naloxone does ZERO but to stop you from abusing the pills or strips. ANY generic can be from 5%-15% less effective than name brand. Pretty much nothing you said is correct.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Josh (# 4)

Dude you are completely 100% wrong about that. I've been on both suboxone films and tablets and I've been on subutex also. I was on subutex for 7 years out of the 10 years of treatment and 3 years I was on suboxone. When I switched from suboxone to subutex I felt so much better physically, I had less cravings, and they were definitely stronger and they lasted longer. Which is due to the fact that suboxone has naloxone in it and even though doctors will say that if naloxone is dissolved sublingually that 99% of the naloxone won't work. That's why some people say the film's are stronger than the tablets because you are going to have a harder time dissolving the tablets and you are going to swallow some of the pill which then causes not just the buprenorphine to not work as well, but it will also cause most people to feel some minor withdrawal symptoms along with other side effects from the naloxone. The subutex gives you a cleaner smooth feeling with absolutely no side effects. And when it comes to the generic suboxone tablets you will definitely notice a difference in each generic. Out of the generics that I've tried, Amneal and west-ward(54 375) orange tablets are the worst. I've heard that the Teva brand(93 5721) white tablets are pretty good, but I'm not sure what pharmacy has those. The generic suboxone tablets that work the best and help with cravings the best right now are the activis brand. They are white circle tablets with a half moon imprint on one side and 155 on the other side. So it's not people being paranoid about change, it just shows how dumb you are and how you know absolutely nothing about suboxone or subtex. so stop saying stuff that's completely wrong it makes you look like a clown.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Re: Suz (# 8)

Yes everything will normal out over TIME... I was on 180mg of methadone for three years and I had to go cold turkey!! Hang in their, I promise u it gets better.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I was switched from suboxone film, to buprenorphine tablets due to the cost of strips , pills are cheaper, my question, I have about 20 strips left to fill, can I still fill my new scrip for the pills and not fill the rest of the strips? Or do I have to fill all my strips before I can fill my pills ? Please someone answer for me

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I had the same issue naturally it worked itself out because my teeth started deteriorating breaking off then falling out all together stay clear of the tablets unless absolutely necessary mainly the white suboxone tablets they are terrible for cravings anyway.... If your provider they damage your teeth he should switch you to strips.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: RustedOne (# 23)

Edit..i meant I also quit antidepressants at same time. Cold turkey

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Suz (# 8)

I was on methadone from 1991 to sometime in late 2017. It's now March 2018 and I'm starting to feel a bit more normal. Hate to say it but I think people like us are pretty much f****d. I detoxed off the M'done for 6 months and was a complete mess. Maybe my mistake was taking antidepressants at the same time, I dunno. My advice is try to stay at a low dose of 8mg a day. 32 mg has a ceiling effect so more would be useless.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Wcboy88 (# 19)


Suz (# 8) --

Hello Suz,
I'm glad to know I'm not the only one that the hip ins messed over... The pharmacy told me they needed to switch my normal films; to the generic tablets. Unfortunately, I've felt terrible since then... Two weeks of hot/cold, nauseated, lack of sleep, anxiety and tense sore muscles. I'm a male, in my early 30's, 180lbs, 6ft and pretty healthy overall (besides the subozone) Anyways, just to make sure it wasn't all in my own head. I took my last remaining film of today, at 6:00am, and I laid back down. Almost instantly, after it dissolved, I felt my symptoms subside. My normal dosage is 1.5 8/2mg once daily, but all I had was the one strip left. Amazingly enough I'm feeling 100% better and it's 2:52pm. Personally, I'm worried nothing can be done about it. I'm hoping things will work out. Lmk how you've been doing. Take care.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Maybe im crazy but i don't like the strips, i just don't feel they work as well as the pills. I never ran short ...

6 REPLIES

a want to see what a oxycontin 80 op & co brand and genic picture, as well as this pill i found on the ground outsid...

8 REPLIES

I wason the AN 415 orange generic suboxone tablets and for no reason at all other than to cut their ordering costs Rite ...

1 REPLY

They now have generic Suboxone pills, but I do not want the generic pills. Am I going to still be able to purchase the o...

1 REPLY

I was prescribed and took Suboxone Films for 3 years, and tolerated them very well. Unfortunately, my insurance stopped ...

38 REPLIES

the first time i ever took a suboxone it was the pill forum... i took a very small piece one early morning then like 6 h...

1 REPLY

I'm unsure of who to believe. I still hear that the generic is not as effective as the brand and I have heard this f...

12 REPLIES

I have a question. Since being in this online community I have been mainly a part of the benzo club. I have seen a multi...

4 REPLIES

There are a lot of so called Generics that have names that sound like the real deal but they are not. Pam Labs is the ow...

4 REPLIES

I recently read online that the generic form of Adderall contains fillers and inactive ingredients. Is there anyone who ...

2 REPLIES