Maximum Dose Of Suboxone/subutex & Chronic Pain (Page 23)

What is the maximum dose of suboxone or subutex when you have severe pain?

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Also, I do not know if someone else has already pointed this out but there is a new patch for pain that is buprenorphine. It is called Butrans which is the same drug minus the naloxone and is not used at all for opioid dependence, only in chronic pain. It comes in a 5, 7.5, 10, 15, and 20 mcg per hour patch which you wear for a whole week before changing. Sometimes insurance can be an issue with this and is very expensive if you have to buy it. I believe the typical person starts at the 5 unless they are very opioid tolerant. Just a little piece of information to file away in case anyone needs it. Love to all.

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Re: Nerrod (# 440)

I have to disagre with you. Suboxone will save you alot of money but coming off of Suboxone is bad. Not quite as bad as coming off of Roxys or Hydos

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Re: Zydot (# 419)

Hey zydot. While I completely disagree with you on the use of buprenorphine for pain management because it is used for that in many happy patients, I will say it is nice to hear of another pancreatitis patient. I am like your husband and have tried so many drugs over the year to treat the pain from it. Many pain docs don't even want to treat it because it isn't like a back injury where they can really make an intervention. My clinic of 4 years just recently told me secretively if I hadn't been a patient of theirs for so long they wouldn't treat me at all. I couldn't figure out why they were lowering my extended release drug Kadian except because of those FDA reports and new rules. Well the nurse practitioner I see finally spilled the truth since she felt bad. She said we have changed recently to an interventions clinic and of course I said what's that supposed to mean. She said we only want patients we can make steps with to intervene in their disease/injury like inj's. or surgery on top of medications. Since they can't do anything to help my pancreatitis except pain medications I am no longer their typical patient.

If I walked in today for treatment I would be turned down. I couldn't believe it. I said but you are a pain management clinic your intervention is to manage pain. I got the impression she didn't think it made sense either but she has to do her job. The doctors there are lowering my long acting meds to eventually take me off of them for good. The doctor told her I will only be allowed to take breakthrough type immediate release meds. That sounds good in their heads I guess but as you know pancreatitis is extremely painful all the time day and night and having to take just immediate release meds isn't going to work. I need around-the-clock medicine like I always have plus my breakthrough stuff. She did tell me there are clinics in my area that would treat patients with disorders like mine but she wouldn't tell me who they are for fear of getting in trouble. And of course I can't call up all the clinics and ask hey are you an interventionalist clinic or will you also just throw narcotics at a situation you can't treat. I'm stuck in a bad place. My own clinic who has treated me well until now with respect and proper meds is forcing me into agony but I don't know where to go for actual help. I'm pretty much just venting to you since you know how pancreatitis is and most people don't. I hope you and your husband are doing well. Thanks for the listen.

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Re: Alley Cat (# 20)


I have taken Suboxone for several years but due to new laws I cannot get it from my pain management doctor anymore. I took 8 mg. am and pm and it did wonders for spinal arthritis and 5 joint replacements pain with no feeling of high, low or anything else like oxycodone and others like it. I realize it is an opiate but it doesn't act like one except for pain relief. I also suffer from restless leg syndrome (except for me it is all over my body restlessness and it is a horrible feeling. Suboxone stops it almost immediately.) Does anyone know how to get it without going to a psychiatrist or addiction clinic? I am not an addict. I have been without any pain relief for 4 months and I am about to go crazy. I can't sleep for the pain or do much of anything else because of the extreme pain in my lower back and legs. Help!!!

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Buprenorphine injection is much better for pain relief than sublingual. There is certainly little effect in the GI tract (swallowed).

For Pain: 0.3 mg intravenous/intramuscular q6hr; for IV, administered slowly over 2 minutes; may be repeated once (up to 0.3 mg) if required 30-60 minutes after initial dose.

All other applications are for detox or to control cravings and drug seeking behavior.

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Re: fireman625 (# 3)

I was told it's a narcotic is that true I'm off opiods but have stenosis osteo hip degenerate disk.im trying mobic Tylenol arthritis helps alittle but getting off opiods was horrible I wanted to die hurt so bad any suggestions even tried shots steroids

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Re: Susie (# 446)

Have you tried nerve blocks or ablation which is using extreme heat to kill certain nerves that are causing you problems. My father has arthritis in his back and so other disc problems and they did ablation procedures for him. I don't know if these are options for you or for where your pain is, but they are options you could ask about. I don't know what drug you and fireman were discussing but if it was suboxone, subutex, or Butrans (which are all bupernorphine) it is a narcotic. It is different than the typical ones you hear of. Most are full agonists but bupernorphine is a partial agonist which means it has only partial effectiveness to that receptor. So it works as an opioid but not as strongly as drugs such as morphine or oxycodone for example. Partial agonists cannot be taken at the same time as full agonists because they stop the full agonist from working that's why bupernorphine works for opioid dependence. If you try and take for example oxycodone with bupernorphine you won't feel anything from the oxycodone. Sorry for the long answer but I wanted to make sure you knew all the important facts. If you ever have any questions feel free to ask me. My name is Amy and obviously on here curious80.

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I had been taking opioids for many years for chronic pain. I have been taking suboxone recently due to the fact that I was in withdrawal, due to my dr having me take less, due to insurance. The suboxone stopped working for the pain, it just quit. Now what do I do for the chronic pain?

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Re: fashnblyl8 (# 438)

I am prescribed suboxone 8mg for pain management.

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Re: Nick (# 448)

You could try and live with the pain. Pain is a part of life. Exercise. Lose weight if you need to. Use over the counter pain relievers. Occupational therapy. Acupuncture and chiropractic adjustments. There is a lot you can’t do to help manage the pain rather than resort to opioids. Resorting to opioids is what caused the opioid epidemic that we are in now.

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Re: RPhd Houston (# 6)

you haven't a clue, sir. I argued with my doctor before she switched me to suboxone. I cried because I was certain this medication would not give me any pain relief. i was amazed the effect it had on my chronic pain. I wish my doctor was that good.

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Re: feelinbettergoinbroke (# 2)

suboxone is deprived from buprenorphine (which is a opiate) and naloxone (which is a form of narcon- it keeps your body from absorbing the opiate all at once)

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I have chronic pain. On suboxone 8mg tid. Pain level goes from 9 to 4. Pain wakes me up at 4 am. Can I ask the doctor to give me 4 strips a day?

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Re: ce (# 452)

You’re partially correct. Buprenorphine has a relatively long half-life and doesn’t have anything to do with the fact the naloxone is in it. The naloxone is there to prevent IV Drug users from rendering the strip into a fluid, then injecting it recreationally.

The naloxone will take effect before the buprenorphine and cause immediate withdrawal and prevent the receptors from accepting opioid agonists.

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Re: krips78 (# 4)

I agree subutex is much better for pain. It doesn't give you that euphoric feeling unless you're trying to which defeats the whole purpose of taking subutex. That's why it's hard to get it prescribed to the people who are using it for pain or trying to come off opiates.

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HEY, I JUST WANT TO SAY IN NORWAY ALL SUBUTEX/SUBOXONE FROM YOUR DOCTOR IS FREE. YOU DONT HAVE TO PAY ANYTHING. ALL YOU NEED IS A PSYCHOLOGIST TO WRITE THAT YOU NEED THIS BECAUSE OF A LIFE WITH narcotic use over a very long time, like myself how I had taken drugs for over 20 years. I take 20 mg suboxone every day and never had to pay anything. I get medicine for 7 days so I just have to go 1 day to the drugstore in 7 days. If u want a better life and you need this medicine, move to Europe, Norway, Denmark or Sweden and you will get your medicine for free. Merry Christmas 2017.

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Re: fireman625 (# 3)

I don't have more of a reply than a question. I just started taking Sub 2 mgs 2 a day now 3 times. I still think this dosage is too low. I am being tapered off 20 mg of oxys and down to my last one. I am having withdrawals big time.
I am wondering what a safe dose oxy subs I can take. It isn't helping with the urge and withdrawing.

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8mg bid wouldve been a better dose for you. Why the rush to wean off? Are you also going to treatment or going to AA/NA? Suboxone isnt a wonder drug. It works best alongside therapy to help you become sober.

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Re: Kalani (# 458)

I want off the pain meds I've been on them for 7 years and is messing with me.
So 8mgs a day?

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Re: Just me (# 459)

What was your total oxy intake per day?

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