How To Take Suboxone And Get The Full Effect
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Before I fully switched to Suboxone and I ran out of my other meds, I'd be able to take a half of an 8mg Suboxone. I was told to put it in my mouth with a some water and swish it around in my mouth till it dissolved. Then to swallow, and swish even more water in my mouth and swallow again. That worked to make it take effect. Now that I'm seeing a new doctor, I was told to let it dissolve under my tongue with no water. As a result, I've had to go up in dosage to get the same therapeutic effect. Is it possible to get use to your dose SO fast that you need to be upped from 8mgs to 14mgs? Or that I'm taking them wrong? :/ I'm so confused!

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Re: Charlene (# 17)

I usually take two strips in the morning. It gives me a better start to my morning. Plus if I take a strip past three or 4 o’clock it tends to keep me up. Everyone has different effects because when I was on opiates it would keep me going. I am not familiar with the pills at all. Thanks for your information. My doctor told me that he would only prescribe Subutex if someone was pregnant. I have been on Suboxone since 2016 and it’s working pretty well for me. I have not used at all.

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Re: Allison (# 16)

Thx allison, I am taking subutex 8mg x3..I take the new Rhodes generic that just came out a short time ago..its the best generic compared to original..and its 2x stronger..thx for the reply back, I would not want to confuse others..I'm very familiar with suboxone tablets and film. I have taken both since 2005..now the pills u can definitely take a few at at time..and I'm guessing you have to take one strip at a time.

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Re: Charlene (# 12)

You must be taking Subutex!? Because the sublingual Suboxone film you don’t take it all at once. I’m supposed to take mine three times a day but I take two in the morning and one in the afternoon and no more until the next day because it keeps me up if I take it too close to bedtime.

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Re: Hop63 (# 8)

Yes it does help Withdrawal symptoms from coming off of narcotic pain meds. It is also used to come off of heroin. That is why I’m taking it also, to deal with my severe pain.

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Re: James (# 10)

Thanks for the info! My doctor prescribed me three day and I take them separately but sometimes I take two in the morning and one later. Depends on how much pain I’m in. Me myself get the most effect If I do it the way the insert says.

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Re: Hop63 (# 8)

Suboxone is prescribed for addiction to opioids. I am disabled because of my addiction to heroin. And I will be on it for the rest of my life probably. One reason I cannot take any opioids and I am in pain every day. Suboxone helps for addiction and payingb suboxone is prescribed for addiction to opioids. I am disabled because of my addiction to heroin. And I will be on it for the rest of my life probably. One reason I cannot take any opioids and I am in pain every day. Suboxone helps for addiction and pain. But, if you have never been addicted to anything I don’t believe you should be on Suboxone for pain. I am not a doctor but this is what I know. And for all you others who don’t know how to take it when you get your prescription pull out the insert and read it. You are supposed to stick it under your tongue and not talk or eat or drink anything for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Before you take it though I am not a doctor but this is what I know. And for all you others who don’t know how to take it when you get your prescription pull out the insert and read it. You are supposed to stick it under your tongue and not talk or eat or drink anything for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Before you take it my doctor said to take a sip of water if your mouth is dry.

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I have taken buprenorphine 8mg for 14 years. I never in my life heard it taken that way. The correct way is put under your tongue. Let it dissolve until completely gone..do not talk or smoke while it dissolves. Wait a good 20 minutes to drink or eating if you are on over one dose, taken back to back or all at once...no need to re-dose during the day, it should be taken all at one time around the same time of the day.

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Re: Allison (# 7)

Hi Allison, most insurance will pay for 90 subs a month with prior authorization from your dr. You could get 3 and a half up to 4 8mg daily. Like me..now I take subutex 8mg.. now buprenorphine has a ceiling effect which means that when you take your dosage per day it should be taken in the morning not split doses. Because of the ceiling effect is reached after that it doesn't matter how much you take afterwards your wasting the experience medicine..if you want good details on this medicine go to utube and watch its called suboxdoc he is a recovering addict DOCTOR 20 YEARS psychiatry has his office and study's buprenorphine has alot of vidios and under his vidios are the blogs he created ppl ask him questions he answers and explains alot..back in 2002 when buprenorphine treatment started they tell you to take your medication all at one time..these new drs. Say and do things by their terms but if you Google BTODREMS it gives you all the info about the generics of buprenorphine. Doses and proper ways of treatment. If you have any questions let me know gosh I feel like a pro and know more about this than some of the drs nowadays I have taken buprenorphine since 2007 soo ya I'm a pro... good luck

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Re: Allison (# 7)

Hello Allison, hope your doing well. I too take Suboxone for chronic pain and my addiction problem with opiates. I'm on 2 8mg strips a day and my Dr first had me taking both in the morning, now that I'm stable and doing well, he has me split dose, I take 1 strip in morning then 4 hours later I take a half then another 4 hours I take the other half and it has worked wonders for me. Nothing kill all the pain, that was my biggest hang up, I had to accept that fact. It makes me functional and comfortable, and that works for me. Give the split dose a try I was skeptical to begin with, give it a try it might work for you as well as it did for me. Good luck and best wishes

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Re: Allison (# 7)

I understand you take suboxone. Why don't you make the switch to subutex not only is it cheaper but it's actually has more buprenorphine in them. Most of the 7 generics of subutex has 8.64mg bup equalvent to 8mg. One has 8.624mg bup qdd only 2 just have 8mg bup..so follow the money these are expensive medicines why dont get the best. Plus they feel different in your body..the subutex is better feeling..ive been taking them for 13 years now..I started out with the original brand name subutex then they put me on suboxone after q few days of taking it, I thought humm something's different about the way I feel plus the pain I had it was so different that I called the dr office to examine they said there is no difference it's in your head..humm no it's not I kept calling and complaining. Till finally I decided I wanted to switch back to subutex so how can I do that..humm allergies! They switched me right away . Back to feeling good again w subutex..only onetime did I have to try suboxone again I got q new dr..band he said try it once more so I did for 3 days.. I called him up told him I had hives and didn't feel within q day back onto subutex..try it I'm sure you will agree..and now a days most don't mind if you want subutex over suboxone because of price differences

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Re: Allison (# 7)

My doctor wants me to use Suboxone to get off Narcotic Pain meds. I thought it was supposed to help withdrawal symptoms from narcotic pain medication. Everyone on this site seems to be on Suboxone long term. I have chronic pain. Please tell me what/why Suboxone was prescribed because I am confused. I appreciate any responses.

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Re: Charlene (# 6)

Thanks for the information about the blogs because it’s very interesting to me being that I do take Suboxone and I take it for pain also but the main one is for my addiction. I deal with a very lot of pain every day but it seems like it doesn’t take it away totally ever and then I’m taking 8 mg three times a day but my tolerance has gotten higher. When I came to see this doctor he told me he could go up to 90 a month. I don’t know if he'll go up anymore because I really need it for the pain chronic pain.

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I have been on subutex 8mg x4 daily. I have never ever heard of swallowing it..there is a dr. on YouTube called suboxdoc and he is a psychiatrist who prescribes buprenorphine. He has some very good videos on buprenorphine and blogs too..if you would like more information let me know. But he teaches all about buprenorphine and how to get the best results on how to take it and proper absorption. Also he is a recovering addict too. So sometimes it's nice to read his blogs and videos because he is right there with us on our road to recovery..and I would never swish it around with water as the medicine is wayy too expensive to take the medication the wrong way..its definitely needed to melt under your tongue. Watch his videos on proper absorption..he has alot of videos and very good info..and for those on subutex just buprenorphine not suboxone. Btw subutex is wayy cheaper. Mbut in October 2017 a new generic is out Purdue Rhodes 8md qdd 2mg buprenorphine round white Rb b8 marking and they ppl are comparing it to the brand name subutex that was the 1st bup back in 2005.. if your pharmacy does not carry it its definitely best to go to a mom n pop pharmacy and ask to order. You can get all the info if you Google BTODREMS; it brings you to a page of all the buprenorphine out there. Most of the buprenorphine/subutex has 8.64 amounts of buprenorphine equivalent of 8mg..so if you're on suboxone and switch to subutex you get more for your money..so follow your money and get the best buprenorphine out there today.

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Hey man, it's weird i've been on the Suboxone films for a couple years now, and to get the best effect out of mine, it seems that the longer I hold the medicine in my mouth, even after the strip has completely dissolved, the stronger I feel it, sometimes when I have the time to no talk, I will let my strip and the following dissolved liquid sit in my mouth under my tongue for 30-45 minutes, and when i do those are the days when I can take just one instead of 2 or 3--- hope this info helps at all.

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Re: JL (# 2)

You are correct. You should drink water prior to taking suboxone or subutex. The mucous membranes under your tongue are for quick distribution to bloodstream. This way prevents acid from your stomach and the long process of digestion which would weaken its effect.

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I've been a Suboxone patient for 6 years now and my Dr has always told me never drink or eat anything 15 minutes before placing my dose under my tongue and waiting for it to fully dissolve and not to smoke eat or drink 15 minutes after. I've never heard of anyone taking Suboxone with water and swallowing it after it's dissolved but if u feel it helps u better taking it with a drink of water that's how I would take it; upping your dose will only hurt u in the long run, that's more mgs you'll have to come down from and a longer recovery time. I would take it the way u get the most out of the smallest dose as possible.

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The box comes with instructions. Sublingual (under tongue for 15mins) or bucoccal (side of cheek for 15mins). My doc told me not to swallow until the 15 mins is up and keep mouth moist but don't drink anything. This works for me.

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I've heard many stories of how to take Suboxone or Subutex sublingual tablets, not the film. I've been on Subutex for number of years. The best thing that works for me is to rinse my mouth with Listerine with the alcohol in it and then after spitting that out then I put my Subs under my tongue. Alcohol supposedly helps the Buephrinorphine to be absorbed more quickly. I've never done the Swish and swash or any of that. Also I have heard that Tagamet increases the effect as it keeps the level therapeutic longer. I guess food for thought. Always check with your doctor first. Good luck.

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