Setting Record Straight!! How Long After Taking Subutex Can U Take Methadone (Page 2)
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Both subutex and suboxone will cause precipitated withdrawal. It is the bupe that connects to the receptors and kicks the methadone out. Naloxone is just an extra blocker!! I am a social worker at a clinic. Waiting at least 12 hours only if on low dose 20mg or less should b OK. But 24 preferred.

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@Niele,

You make a good point. I do agree with the information you posted being noteworthy, and think that Naloxone in and of itself does deserve more credit in that regard. It's ability to decrease risk factors associated with misuse are especially important with the ever growing number of pain patients who find themselves OD'ing now-a-days.

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The brand name of Naloxone is Narcan, which is often used on persons in opiate overdose. It brings them out of respiratory distress within minutes and almost always into full opiate withdrawal syndrome. I find that noteworthy.
Although Naloxone does not have the same half life as Buprenorphine, it is a full opioid antagonist, whereas Buprenorphine is only partial.

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@Original poster,

Thank you for your post. There is a lot of misinformation surrounding the use of opiates/opioids before and/or after subuxone/subutex... and this thread you started does help set the record straight on that end. However, one thing I want to note is that there are many personal patient reviews on other threads here implying that patients should wait several days after having Buprenorphine before taking certain meds like Hydrocodone (as an example) in order to feel its full effects. I'm just thinking that 24hrs is a little short of a wait time considering that Buprenorphine has a half life that's potentially longer than that time frame... Any thoughts on this?

@Niele,

My guess is that Naloxone is often overlooked because Buprenorphine is regarded as a having a higher affinity than Naloxone on the receptors, essentially doing most of the work. Naloxone also has a relatively short half life (of 2-12 hours) compared to Buprenorphine's estimated 24-42 hours half life. Information I've come across also "suggests" that Naloxone is there 'in-part' to deter abuse, since Buprenorphine can obviously do the job on its own (hence Subutex). This is just my opinion. I know others will have a different perspective from personal experience.

Hope this helps!

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Why do people always minimize Naloxone? EMTs give the ODs Narcan, which brings the patient into withdrawal. Naltrexone (Vivitrol) has been used with chronic opiate addicts and alcoholics in several forms, pill, 30 day shot, implant. It is a VERY strong blocker and has many side effects. I have personal experience with this medication & know that it is not something to be looked over.

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If you take a little less then half of a 8mg subutext 15 hours ago is it safe to take 20mgs of methadone does anyone know! ! !

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