Suboxone Too Soon After Methadone
(Newest replies first)

My wife has been on methadone for the last 6 years dosing 120mg per day. Something happened and she ran out of medicine and doesn't get any more until 4 days from now. She took her last dose of 80mg yesterday morning. 3 hours ago (36 hrs after the last dose of methadone) she was just beginning withdrawal and took about 3mg of a Suboxone strip thinking the sub would help get her through the next 4 days until she re-upped on her methadone. Unfortunately, she has gone into severe withdrawals. From what I've read so far, there isn't much we can do about it. My worry is that she doesn't get her methadone for 4 days and Idk how bad off she is going to be until then. She has about 9mg of Suboxone left. I wonder if she should take it over the next few days or what and how will it affect her when she gets her methadone next week. She is really bad off right now and I just can't see her going that long with no type of relief. Does anyone have any suggestions or knowledge of whether it is safe for her to go that long without her MD. Any input or advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm really worried about her.

REPLY

REPORT

I have been on suboxone now for about 4-5yrs and it has changed my life, so much better than methadone. There are still periods where I end up relapsing (highly detailed process) and “switching” back over to subs. It can be easy or sometimes very hard. By that I mean the withdrawals that will happen. I try to go as long as possible before I take a sub and when I do it is usually a small dose (I live in Canada & it is 2mg & 8mg subliminal tablets of lemon flavour, no film strips here yet). Recently I was scripted Pregabalin aka Lyrica and I have found this to actually stop the withdrawals and craving while I put time in between taking a Sub. I too have taken a sub thinking it will help me out & it made everything worse, so I kinda know what your going through & hope the best outcome will happen. As I said, Pregabalin really helps like magic, mind you, I was scripted them for something else but have found them to be of great help. On another note I have been reducing my dose of suboxone. I don’t trust my docs and I keep myself on a low dose of 4mg at night and if my body is in pain I take another 4mg (break an 8mg in half) and even at that dose I would suffer withdrawals. I wish the best for you & hope that my Pregabalin “theory” is of some help.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: ChookyGirl (# 28)

I dis agree with you !! Methdone if use can save lives ! I been doing this on an of since 1970 so i know also have a degree in chemistry

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Nicole (# 29)

Well he sounds like he doesn't need any really one day and hes sick of 60 milligrams! Come on hes in withdrawal and now there nothing you ca n do i was on 180 methdone for 14 years way before these cam out so i now on ms contion because of the new cds laws , for pain medication? Its going to get slot worse be careful

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Nicole (# 29)

No hes in withdrawal s he has to wait tell hes really sick if it was just a sub with nothing else he be ok sorry hes going to be reslly sick because of the othe bs in those kind of subs

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Kim (# 30)

Its ok 72 hours is the rule take a 1/4 then take 1/4 more a few hours later if not take half alot of my friends sort 1/4 i use it under my tough

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I've been tapering myself off methadone for a year. I started at 70mg and now I'm probably at 8mg. I was curious about how long I have to be sick till I switch to suboxone? It's been two days since I had a dose except for rinsing the bottle out.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

My boyfriend is on a 60 mg dose of methadone, but he missed it today so I gave him a suboxone strip with a quarter missing from it. He took the whole thing and it made him feel really bad. I've been taking care of him, but idk what to do?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Charlie (# 27)

Charlie I can't agree with you more....I can't BELIEVE they are still putting anyone on Methadone...turns people into monsters. I have been on Suboxone now for almost 5 years and it saved my life too. I stopped smoking, no longer drink at all...don't even think about using ANYTHING. Wouldn't know where to find it anyway...I am working full time, have the respect and love of my family, friends and co-workers back and fully believe it is a miracle drug. I don't even consider it a drug, as I don't get any kind of high off it. It just keeps me normal. I pick up a month's worth at a time. Random drug tests and all that...I am prescribed 12mg a day but over last 6 months or so have weaned myself down to 6mg a day and hardly noticed it. Glad to hear of your success, keep it up. By the way I live in Australia and from what I hear we have it so easy here compared to US!!! I pay $25 for a months worth and only have to travel 5 mins to get it. My pharmacist treats me like a regular person, doesn't look down on me (well, if he does, he doesn't show it...). I feel for you guys in the US who seem to have all sorts of problems finding a prescribing doctor, or a pharmacy who will supply it to you...

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I've replied twice to this question and I totally agree with Me (# 20). I'm 57 and after 30 yrs of opiate and alcohol abuse, double digit treatment centers, at least a million dollars cost to my family thrown at the problem, methadone should be banned. It's nothing but a parking lot for people to sell xanax (and I've been to more than one all the while doing meetings, service work but there was always something missing and I knew it).

Then Suboxone came along and I tried it. IT SAVED MY LIFE, and it pisses me off seeing folks selling or buying it during dry spells of narcotics or whatever it is that's considered dope. I've been clean just about 12 yrs which is about when it came out and a friend/doctor/life saver put me on Suboxone the correct way. Counseling, random counts and drug tests. He's gotten me through two knee replacements and a spinal fusion in the last two yrs. Having to go off suboxone for a day scared the s*** out of me but it's necessary in order to be safe. After two or three days without it, but with oxycontin and oxcodone for a few days, I actually threw those away. Suboxone relieved the pain better.

My wife didn't ask me to or say anything but watched in disbelief me pouring bottles of it down the toilet. I haven't missed a day except for the few during the 12 yrs. Haven't taken any benzos, no alcohol (and I was a hard drinker almost twelve years). It's killing me to have to explain to doctors what suboxone is and the bad name, all because of people using it for the wrong reasons, and it's going to end up labeled as another methadone or awful drug.

I don't agree with doctors putting 20 yr olds on it with no time to see if they really qualify because it's too early to tell. But as I said earlier, at 46 when I was prescribed it correctly, it's CHANGED AND SAVED MY LIFE. And my city is the #1 city for overdoses in the country. The pharmacies are giving away narcon kits if anyone in your household is taking is even prescribed opiates, grandma included. I was a stone cold junkie for many miserable yrs and I'll say it again. SUBOXONE SAVED MINE AND ALSO MY FAMILIES LIVES.

I hope some of you a**holes that still want to abuse it at the expense of jeopardizing the lives and medicines that really work... we could build a second wall for you. Sorry for the length and probably some irrelevant writing I did, but I'm very passionate and very concerned about what's coming and it won't be pretty. If you read this thanks for your time.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

Suboxone will throw your body into immediate withdrawals if taken to early after an opiate, and the side affects are horrible. Opiates are much better for you than Methadone or Suboxone. I would rather be on opiate than having the damaging effects of Suboxone. It's will cause early on set of dementia, low libido and severe depression and many more side effects that are horrible. My grandfather did case studies for Suboxone and he was horrified at the side affects it caused in 90% of the patients. He said he would rather be on opiates than be on Suboxone and have your brain be eating away slowly, not to mention to the other ingredients in it that ravages and destroys your body. Look for a safer opiate or other options if you want to remain healthy and not loss your mind.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

All these people asking about how soon you can take suboxen after Methadone then back to suboxen, take some advice. You want a rollercoaster ride. Go to a park. What y'all are doing by subbing one for the other until refill is DEADLY! Loved ones, watch over with them. Methadone and Fentynyl are the devil. Suboxen treatment is for people who actually need and want help getting off of meds. Y'all are playing Roulette with it and someone will die and Suboxen is the drug they'll take off the market. They need to ban Methadone and Fentynyl. Doctors need to start making patient bring meds in for a count. Oil and water mix better than suboxen and Methadone. It's suicidal! Take meds as prescribed and this won't happen. The people with Suboxen need to watch who they hand it to. It's got a lot # on package. Someone dies, you go down.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Re: Me (# 20)

My doctor said the same thing just 3 weeks ago. Someone was lacing something with Methadone. It's like an exorcism when that suboxen hits you. She needs a doctor. He put me on oxcycodone, but I had only had my first dose of suboxen. I wasn't abusing meds. Just was tired of being on them. Her life could be at stake. Yes, she'll have some explaining to do but she'll live to do it. If you're running out, that's a sign that you aren't taking as prescribed. Maybe fessing up and starting Iberia the safest and best way.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Me (# 3)

U ppl keep saying "put her on oxycodone" for a few days, just how is that even an option? It's not like there is a vending machine dispensing oxycodone available. Good luck getting anything other than possibly clonidine in the ER, also they will want a detailed explanation on why she ran out, where did she get the subs?? Believe me, she will be putting up red flags that r going to follow her 4 the rest of her life. Also let's say some ER Dr is feeling her pain & has a loose pen per say, what pharmacy at this point is going to fill it with the PDMP system in full swing! My advice at this point is hot baths, Imodium, clonidine, benzos r a must at a minimum, Claritin 4 the teary eyes & nasal drainage, plenty of h2o, Motrin 4 extreme body aches, Passionflower is the ingredient in withdrawal-ease that retails for $60.00 plus shipping, if she can get it, kratom works wonders 2 even cut back on opiate use, & last but certainly not least attempt to get the new "cloud 9 syrup" which also contains Passionflower (see Youtube) all natural but I use it 4 occasional insomnia & LOVE it. The significant others support is vital at this point so say a ?? & tx God she has that in place. Also, try to find a book to read to keep your mind occupied! You will get through this but definitely avoid the ER unless absolutely necessary! They will only harm you in the long run. Hang in there. I went through this but not as bad bc I was being tapered due to the CDC after being on the same dose consistently 4 7 yrs, it was very brutal & thought it would never end but I did get through it. It didn't matter 2 PM that I had never abused my meds, asked 4 early refills, passed all drug panels, etc. they decided to follow the CDC GUIDELINES & tapered me down quickly! Again it was hell but most likely not as bad as her situation due to the subs & methadone! Best of luck?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Never give Suboxone to anyone on Methadone! Ur mixing the 2 and it cause her to go into sever withdrawal. And it’s deadly to not have methadone that long. Her best bet would be to find another clinic. Or go to the nearest hospital. They can help.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

Re: Me (# 20)

I agree. Both are dangerous. Methadone is worse but Fentynyl is horrible.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Renee (# 17)

Im sorry but the Suboxen will continue to throw her into withdrawal. It's the hardest switch other than Fentynyl. Dr. Actually thought someone was lacing my meds with Methadone because I couldn't come out of withdrawal. It's dangerous. She needs a doctor.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

Re: Renee (# 17)

Methadone and Fentynyl need to be gotten off of medically for health safety.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I just got this today. I was just answering. I wanted to make sure she got off the right way, and didn't make it worse.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

The suboxone WILL help her but the dosage of methadone she was taking was so high that it’s gonna take more of the suboxone. 9 mg will not get her through 4 days. There is a product online called Withdrawal Ease, don’t know if it works & dont know how long it’d take to get to you. I hate that for her. I just got finished from weaning myself off of 80 mg oxycontin a day, it was tough but I’m glad I did it now. I honestly think I hurt worse while I was on them. You might can get her something for the restlessness. Something for each symptom she has, like diarrhea...I hope she does ok.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I was on methadone in 2008. I had to rapid detox off 160mgs.10 ms every 3 days. I am and have been on Suboxone for close to 2 years. I know of you are on an opiate and take subs on top you will go into precipitated withdrawal (w. d. x 's 100) WHAT YOU CAN DO IS WAIT UNTIL THEY ARE IN BAD TO MODERATE WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS AND SLOWLY INDUCE THE SUBOXONE.
GHOST

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

I took 20mg methadone 36 hours ago and 10mg 28 hours ago. I dont feel really sick yet but a little anxious. Is it safe t...

4 REPLIES

PLS HELPPP! i was on methadone for 3 years...went from 80mg down to 20mg...then switched to suboxone...been on it for ab...

6 REPLIES

i have been on suboxone for 2 and half yrs i have myself down from 3 8mg tabs to 3 quarters a day..i have to switch to m...

16 REPLIES

I've been on methadone for 260 days. I got up to 90. I then tapered down 2 a day until I got to 60. Then went down 5...

1 REPLY

I took 60 mgs of methadone sat morning at 8 am... today is monday 4 pm. Am I ok to take 4 mgs of suboxone today? ## It r...

12 REPLIES

How long after taking 8mg suboxone can u take methadone ## Hello, Michael! How are you? It usually takes about 3 days, u...

9 REPLIES

I'm was hooked on methadone, WHEN CAN I START TAKING SUBOXONE? I tried it after 1 1/2 days and ALMOST DIED! I've...

33 REPLIES

I tried taking a suboxone 2 days after my last dose of methadone but am now in withdrawal. Can I take methadone now to b...

58 REPLIES

Hi, I started suboxone yesterday after being on methadone for 3 and half years. I went from 85ml to 30ml. I waited 36hrs...

13 REPLIES

I have been taking 32 mg suboxone/subutex for over a year. I switched to Methadone four days ago. I had my fourth dose o...

3 REPLIES