Jamie Says:
How Can I Get Prescribed Subutex Instead Of Suboxone (Top voted first)
Updated
cherie Says:
i get sick everytime i take my dose of suboxone. I throw up everytime. but my doctor will not switch me to the subutex even though it is in my charts that i have yaken the subutex and never got nausiated. what do i need to say or do to get my doctor to understand and switch me? i also have severe intestinal problems that get aggravated with the suboxone, what can i do. i do not want to quit treatment but i cant keep throwing up everyday all day. please someone help me.
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say it gives you a bad bad migraine and your allergic to it it works everytime:)
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Jen Says:
Suboxone AND Subutex can be and ARE injected by abusers of the medication. They also can be and ARE sniffed by abusers as well. Suboxone strips can be and ARE injected by abusers AS WELL, and they are ALSO sniffed when liquefied. I have been taking Suboxone myself for 6 years now, a very long time. I'm 28 now; 22 when I started. Subs were rather new when I started...none of the local pharmacies in my area even carried it or knew what it was. The drug was a miracle back then; there wasn't even a mention of taper or having to stop taking it at all by my Dr. at the time. I was driving 55 miles and got it from him for 3 years--4 8mg tabs a day and cut off with nothing for (not kidding) nothing. I have never failed a drug screen or had a problem on this medication. The Dr. had patients lined up to be seen and decided I was no longer a priority, not even to ween me off. I went through TERRIBLE withdrawal. Went to ER but nothing was done because they didn't know what to do for Sub withdrawal. I was scared because I was sicker than I'd been from opiate withdrawal. I managed to get Subs off the street and found a new Dr. about a month later.I was with the 2nd Dr. for almost 2 years...driving 73 miles and on 2 8 mg tabs daily. This doctor decided to discontinue me due to lack of counseling--mind you I WAS seeing my counselor who was 60 miles away in the other direction, but he wasn't sending enough information back to the Dr. so I was given a 1 month "taper" script to get off of myself with instructions that read: Take 1 8mg tab 2x dailly for 1 week, 1 8mg tab daily for 1 week, 1/2 8 mg tab daily for 1 week, and 1/4 8mg tab daily until prescription is gone.
Now I know as well as anyone who takes Suboxone that is hardly a taper; Subs need a long taper...enough said. Anyway, I did try to make this script last until I could find another doctor....and I did. 120 miles away. He would not do tabs due to the higher chance of abuse and gave me 2 8mg strips daily. I was okay with them for about a week...I have no interest in abusing the Subs in any way shape or form, but even if I did the strips do NOT prevent abuse. I prefer the tabs because they are easier to keep track of, they last much longer if need be, and tapering is much more effective. The final Dr. is my current Dr....I recently transferred because she is only a HALF MILE away from my house. She just moved to the area so that was much less stressful after all my traveling. She currently has me on 1 8mg strip and 1/4 strip daily. she is doing a slow taper; I've been seeing her for almost 8 months and was on 1 and 3/4 when I started. I can honestly say I noticed a change from 1 1/2 , but not much above that. I struggle on 1 and 1/4 some days; nothing close to withdrawal but the desire to take more is there. I have done great on Suboxone, it has TRULY saved me for the last 6 years. I'm terrified to be without it. My insurance company recommended Methadone maintenance for life yesterday. WHY isn't Suboxone an option for life?? WHY allow it for 6 years (by doctors) but not allow it for life? I would honestly LOVE to be clean and free of everything if it didn't hurt so much, but the fact is it does hurt. We all know as addicts that it is severe pain beyond physical withdrawal. If any medication works to treat it why stop and wait for relapse and pain if it knowingly can be prevented? When I decided to go on Subs it was after treatment from opiates and almost 4 months clean. The physical withdrawal was over but the mental was overwhelmingly painful. I relapsed on Oxys for a few days and found Suboxone through online research. I have done everything I can to remain on the Subs to avoid overdosing on opiates just to feel normal. If anyone has input or suggestions I would GREATLY appreciate:) If you're hurting I FEEL for you:(
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chelle Says:
i needed to answer this as i was a nurse b4 i got sick with lupus fibromyagia ms herniated discs osteoarthritis and soon became tollearant to the high doses of oxycontin, roxicodone etc. i got sick every time i took a strip or tablet of suboxone..after much research i figured out the issue,,told my dr and got switched to subutex...suboxone has an artificial sweetner in it called acesulfame potassium..if you are allergic to sulfa drugs you willll be very alergic to suboxone strips or tablets...look it up im very serious..regards chelle
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SubMarkV Says:
Many doctors will prescribe subutex over suboxone.. Find a private , family doctor who is licensed, instead of a clinic.... It won't block opiates totally out- but it makes them kind of pointless.... Morphine will precipitate immediate withdrawals......
My view, and that of my doctor is there is no point in taking something which is not necessary- the subutex is, the naloxone.
If you're ready to quit=- you're done with all the crap anyway... hang in there... !
If you need help - here's a low cost treatment center in Western NC.... We're currently building a detox facility staffed with nurses and an on call 24hr doctor.... christianloveministries.net
mv
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travis Says:
if you are self pay let the dr. know that the suboxone strips or tabs are about twice as expensive as subutex. Most drs. wont prescribe subutex because you can still get high from other opiates because subutex doesnt have the opiate blocker. At least thats very true in the area i live in. My subutex costs $3.50 a tab and suboxone cost $7 to $8 a tab.
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technotom Says:
From what i understand they should be able to do suboxone maintenance for life if you live in the USA because it is approved by the FDA for such use: { In October 2002, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States also approved Suboxone and Subutex, buprenorphine's high-dose sublingual tablet preparations indicated for detoxification and long-term replacement therapy in opioid dependency, and the drug is now used predominantly for this purpose.}
The only issue with Suboxone is the idea behind it was it was supposed to be easier to get off of altogether as it's partially synthetic and was (supposedly) designed with that goal in mind but it's not fun to withdraw from at all, I've heard withdrawals can last a month. OC's were designed with the same idea behind them and were advertised as a "less addictive" alternative, what a joke that was. The thing about suboxone is a doctor can only prescribe up to 30 patients at a time and i KNOW the big kicker about not getting it for life is the COST. Methadone is in the public domain, invented in WWII by the Germans who were running out of their opiate supply due to being cut off as they were losing the war. so any Pharmaceutical company can manufacture and sell it therefore it's relatively cheap. Suboxone which is still new in the pharmaceutical copyright world, appeared & approved in 2002 has 20-25 years of exclusive manufacture and sale (for TOP DOLLAR) by it's creator. It's your insurance company that wont pay for it for life for you. If you went to buy 60 N8's a month you would pay $450-550 a month out of pocket, methadone is a tiny fraction of that cost-wise. Simple economics in the insurance companies mind.
I worked for Pfizer, the worlds largest Pharmaceutical corporation, these businesses stay afloat and on top of their game ONLY by getting FDA approvals on new drugs that give them the 25 years of exclusive sale before anyone else can manufacture it and compete.
( Suboxone coincidentally appeared and was approved shortly after the US invaded Afghanistan, allegedly just in time for opium poppy growing season and freed all the opium warlords from prison and is now supplying 93+% of the worlds Heroin, breaking records year after year. With the opiate abuse epidemic in the US and abroad you can imagine how much money they're making. hand over fist!! However it seems you may be in luck, I just came across an article stating that the FDA is breaking protocol which is likely happening only because of the herion epidemic (or their buddies that own pharma companies wanting a cut) and allowing two (2) other Pharma Corps. to produce GENERIC SUBOXONE well before the 25 year cap. meaning that Suboxone should become wayyy more affordable sometime in the near future!!
Read this article!!
rb.com/reckitt-benckiser-pharmaceuticals-inc-receives-fda-response-to-citizens-petition-and-announcement-of-generics-approval
Good Luck!
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technotom Says:
Here's a MUST READ, the Downsides of SUBOXONE & METHADONE:
Here's a quote about the dangers of Suboxone that sounds scary to me...
"the "Suboxone" version of Buprenorphine IS MORE TOXIC than Methadone, itself, because of naloxone in it - that really destroys kidneys and liver. "SOB
Resime - In bottom line :
Methadone is an full synthetic opiate agonist.Very effective at treatment of any kind of opiate addicts, as it is effective also in short - 21 day - detoxification.Buprenorphine, introduce just few years ago, did show some really promising results, and as the result of many clinical trials - buprenorphine is approved for maintenance and detox in majority of world countries. Patients often question the efficiency of the buprenorphine, as methadone showed as an "gold standard" in treatment of addicts. Buprenorphine showed a as lot less euphoric medicine, but still very specific. It has an "maximum line of effect" (let's call it that), which means when dose reaches 32-38mg, the buprenorphine amount added beyond that "line" is INEFFECTIVE.So, You can take, as many pills as you want, after you reach the maximum line, but they will still remain inactive and you will notice NO difference at all or what so ever.Heroin addicts, find buprenorphine, SUBOTEX (not suboxone), pills handy in cases when they can't reach or get their dose of "H". I.V users, usually crush pills, suck in to syringe, trough the filter, and then shoot it. Than, after agencies for monitoring drugs, realized the abuse - made the suboxone, impossible to shoot and ineffective if it is IV-ed.
So, now we know that Methadone is SURELY more euphoric, but is it more toxic than buprenorphine? - Nobody actually knows, one is sure - the "Suboxone" version of Buprenorphine IS MORE TOXIC than Methadone, itself, because of naloxone in it - that really destroys kidneys and liver. What's more effective, methadone or buprenorphine? - The answer to this question is different from person to person. Someone finds buprenorphine more suitable, someone finds methadone more suitable.It's the matter of tolerance, the "T" of heroin usage,along with many other factors like speed of metabolism,liver state (because of enzymes) etc...
When it comes to the withdrawal, methadone withdrawal is longer - for sure, because of the fact that methadone accumulates in fat tissue. If you were, for example, on long term maintenance (T of treatment = >2yrs.) , methadones half life will be up to 48h . After two days, you will start to feel the real withdrawal.Some of the patients, say that methadone withdrawal is worse than heroin. Yes it is. Heroin is, in basis, SEMI-SYNTHETIC opioid and it is much less toxic than methadone - in PURE edition like that in Switzerland for treatment - diacetyl-morphine or that in Britain - diamorphine.
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Danielle Says:
hi kristina, i was very glad to read this! i just saw my doc today, my "monthly visit", lol...i've been taking suboxone since october 2010. i started at 20 mg and have been taking 12 mg the past year. i have taken the films and they really knocked me on my butt, and the suboxone upsets my stomach from time to time, but it's the going to the bathroom part that is reaching a critical stage...i take Miralax a few times a week and it's helping, but it's also expensive...i have been curious about subutex for a long time now but have never asked my doc to try it, too afraid i guess. i know the suboxone tablets will be gone very soon and the thought of taking the strips is throwing me into what is going to be full blown panic soon...should I ask my doc to try subutex? anything must be better than this constipation im dealing with! My doctor and i have a good relationship (i think we are both 42, lol) and he knows i work my program and has seen my life flourish the past 3 years, so i'd hope he has my best interest at heart...i need to taper down again, like get it to about 8j-10 mg....thanks for any info I appreciate it Kristina : )
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ADC Says:
I just switched from suboxone to subutex simply put the subutex pill is much less costly as the films.constipation is my primary issue. Being out of that haze has helped me take back control of my direction . Chemist who discovered this wonderful assist gets my regard.
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frank Says:
suboxone has Narcan in it, subutex does not. methadone users should get subutex.
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jmd Says:
Dear doctor,
I suppose you're speaking from actual experience. I know narcan does give people other then myself headaches and a variety of other adverse side effects. Perhaps people just call them "allergies", but regardless if someone really would have a better quality of life on subutex rather then suboxone and they're not asking for it bc they want to use drugs, then what would you advise them to do? At $400.00/visit how might a person get their doctor to believe them, how can a doctor get to know a patient well enough to tell the difference between someone wanting to switch to subutex for the right reasons verses the wrong reasons? Some people can only afford one shot at $300.00-$400.00/visit. Not to mention the receptionist will not give you any information over the phone until you are in there paying upfront...Dr. you are aware there isn't any narcan in Subutex? Or was that a misprint?
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nelbelle Says:
Why can ppl get a months worth of suboxone and live normal lives when ppl on methadone have to report to a clinic everyday. Its not fair. My life is surrounded by a clinic it makes me depressed and it to time consuming. If your off all drugs and working the program why cant I go to a privacy of a drs office and get a months supply of methadone and live my life without the hassle of going to a place everyday waiting a half hr sometimes more. Please someone shed light on this situation. I feel that Im on the verge of a nervous breakdown sincerely nelbelle
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Comment Says:
Suboxone can be abused. The only difference is that it has a blocker in it. Tell your doctor it gives you migraines and he will switch you.
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Tball5534 Says:
Methadone has ruined my life. The Wd's from them are worse than any opiate out there. I've been on them all and I can't kick methadone. Th half life is insanely long so you have to suffer through Wd's for a week atleast before even thinking about touching a sub strip! I thought heroin was hard... It has nothing on methadone! Beware!! Please!
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sick and tired Says:
Suboxone didn't work for me. I waited til I was in full withdrawal and the feeling was so overwhelmed. I thought I was going to die. I started shaking and had a seizure.I had to use five bags of heroin to get me out the gate. Everybody can't use Suboxone bcuz of the naloxone. I don't know what to do.
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jmd Says:
Yeah that's my ordeal too. I had gotten subutex from another means to help me get off methadone and it worked. I just couldn't afford the doctor visit at the time and now that I can I'm afraid I'll waste $300-$400 to hear a doctor tell me the same thing! Its the most aggravating thing to me bc I don't abuse opiates, idc for them and haven't for years! I just want off the damn methadone and I KNOW what works for me! But telling a Dr who doesn't know me and spilling out 15 years of history to him, all he's gonna hear is drug addict!... Can't trust anything she says. And that's just soo unfair.
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Project Pat Says:
The problem is I don't like the drugs but the drugs like me
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Mshroomz Says:
Why the hell would you say you think those who IV their dosage are the lowest of all. You do realize that your an addict too and 90% of the world looks at you like your the lowest scum on earth? Just because someone administers their drugs intravenously doesn't make them better or worst than the guy who insufflates it, still an addict in the end. Addiction is a disease. No one knows where it will lead you. I don't look down on them. We're all brothers of addiction in this together.
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Kenneth Says:
I just did a 5 day opiate detox in a treatment center an I was doing 800mg of Roxy 30mg I was doing fine but 15+yrs on 360 30mg Roxy's a month with 2 40mg Oxys I got off the oxycontin but can't shake the Roxy's 30 mg I need a doctor private to get monthly script for maintenance suboxone tablets rather do Subutex as suboxone gives me migraines an kills my stomach i did almost a year taking Subutex tablets 2 8mg Subutex at a clinic but had to go everyday ride there an back took 1hr an half there then $18.50 cash to dose then hour an half back home making it $1130.00 monthly gas an cash to dose I need a Subutex private Doctor in Lynchburg Virginia or Roanoke Virginia monthly script that will take Medicaid and Medicare if anyone no's a doctor like that please let me no soon as possible thanks hope someone can help me find one thanks again Ken
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