How To Successfully Switch From Methadone To Suboxone

I tried to switch from methadone to suboxone but failed. I have been on methadone for 5 years...I am at 30mg. I took what should have been last dose of methadone on Friday morning, Saturday I was anxious, uncomfortable and a bit achey...but it was tolerable. Throughout Saturday night and Sunday morning, however, I felt terrible. Diarrhea, aching, stomachs cramps, sweats, blurry visions, anxiety, etc....I didn't get a suboxone script because the doctor wanted me to come in to him so he could give it to me there on Monday morning. I knew I only had one day left but I just couldn't find the strength or will to go through with it...so I went back to the clinic and they dosed me with methadone, I want to make the switch so badly....since my withdrawals were so bad Sunday (48 hours after my last dose) could I have taken subs and been fine? I want to find another doctor who will allow me to take the suboxone home and do it there instead of waiting 72 hours. I did the COWS evaluation and scored a 20...so for next time, I am wondering if I would be fine after taking it on the second day with my withdrawals being so bad? Also, how long til I feel better once I start the suboxone? Thanks so much and God bless!

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Hello, Emily! How are you doing?

I'm sorry, but Suboxone must be taken when you are in full withdrawal from all other opiates, or it could throw you into dangerous precipitated withdrawals, which could cause seizures, or be life threatening, thus, the 72 hours is actually the minimum used by most doctors. You are not going to find many that will let you take it earlier, if they have been properly trained in its use.

The FDA warns that this medication carries the risk of being habit forming and it could cause side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, headache, dry mouth, and constipation.

As to taking it at home, that is not usually allowed for the first dose, either. Most require you take it in the office, where you can be monitored, or in front of your pharmacist, to be monitored.

How long it takes to feel better, depends on whether or not, you've been put on the proper dosage, many people get relief withing a few hours.

Is there anything else I can help with?

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Get doen ro 1 mg ur on 30 dp 10 a week. Looks the smae visually n 30 isnt much just a good dose after ur at 10 go doen 1 a day then switch next day. Woeked for me n i was 120 to 1mg.

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Re: Verwon (# 1)

The best way to go from methadone to suboxone is to first take subutex for at least a week or until the methadone is fully out of your system before you start suboxone. What makes you sick is the naloxone in suboxone. It is fighting what ever opiate is in your system, especially methadone. You will have almost if not zero withdrawal this way. Any other way and you will get sick. They will tell you wait 72hrs before starting suboxone which still isn't long enough for the methadone to get out of your system plus you will be withdrawing those 72hrs. You have to use subutex as the buffer in between to avoid needless suffering. Most doctors don't realize this for some reason. They tell you to withdrawl before taking suboxone instead of prescibing subutex for a weeks or so the transition onto suboxone.

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