I will run out before my refill. How long does it take for you to experience withdrawl and how do they determin the amount you are prescribed? Thank you for any information that could help me
I started taking 3 suboxone 8.2mg at 8 am daily. After 1st day I had to take another about 11 pm?
Question posted by J J on 10 July 2011
Last updated on 11 July 2011
Answers
Inactive
11 July 2011
J_J, suboxone will stay on the receptor sites at a dose of 16 mgs per day for 3 to 5 days with no more suboxone taken. Is there anyway you can google the COWS sheet test, (clinical opiate withdrawal scale) and make sure you are in withdrawal. If you are in true withdrawal, you will have a point or 2 at least on almost all symptoms, if you only have a spike of points on 1 or 2 symptoms, it is likely NOT true withdrawal. You may find that you can take a bit less here and there in order to not run out. The drs and company that make it seem to say that you have to take it at 24 hour intervals, if you skip a day, you will go back into withdrawal, the fact is, you won't. There isn't alot of the info I need to trouble shoot this question in your post. Were you on methadone, ms-contin or fentanyl patches before subs? These are long acting opiates, and sometime people do go into precipitated withdrawal if they take suboxone too early while on these meds. With short acting opiates ( loratab, vicodin, norco, percocet) the wait is only 24 hours opiate free usually, with methadone, well that is a beast of a different color. It is also a long acting med, and the switch to suboxone from methadone is tricky. Is there anyway you could add a little more info by hitting comment. Are you on the films or tablets, were you on a long acting opiate before the switch, and what symptoms of withdrawal do you feel you are experiencing. I hope this note finds you feeling better, if you can add that info, it would help me answer you a bit more clearly. Thank you and WELCOME to our site, Pattishan61
J J
11 July 2011
Hello, thanks for info and advice. I've never taken methadone. I was prescribed percocet and morphine sulfate. I was about 30 hours free of opiates before I took suboxone. I have experienced withdrawl before so I was in complete withdrawl. I am on the tablets and Wed. was the first day. Dr. did say he wants to switch to films. Even though I was taking med. It takes me awhile to get them down and dissolving the tablets are difficult and I gag. It's been a day since any and I'm doing okay. When I experience withdrawls it starts with body clamy, hot & cold nauseous, sneezing, joints aching and where there is real pain it seems to intensify. I look forward to your input. Thank you for the information and concern.
Inactive
12 July 2011
J-J, I honestly don't know what to say to you or Brendam77, I was on subs for several years, have been on this site for almost 3 years, and know of numerous as in literally close to 100 people who were/are on suboxone and both of you sound like you are in precipitated withdrawal, although according to your wait time, you should Not Be. please call your subs dr, go to subxone.com and get their toll free here to help number and call them. Are you dissolving it under your tongue or swallowing it. If you are swallowing it without dissolving it under your tongue, it will NOT work to stop withdrawal. You can keep your mouth moist while dissolving it by taking a cautious sip of water, but don't swallow what is under your tongue until it is dissolved. Try dissolving them 1 at the time, as 3 at the time would be quite horrific I should think. I wish I could offer more advice, but yours and brenda's recent troubles/symptoms literally have me stumped.
I have never heard of this happening after several days of subs. Sorry I couldn't be of more help. Oh, one more thing, are you sure the subs aren't expired. Patti
LaurieShay
10 July 2011
Hey JJ,
It will take around 3 days before you experience withdrawals as Suboxone is a long acting med. They determine the amount to prescribe based on your response to slowly increasing it during the induction period, if it is done right. Incidently, most people don't need as much as 24mgs a day. Why exactly did you feel the need to take an extra at 11 that night?
You maybe able to get by on less now that you have been taking for awhile and therefore would have more to get by until your refill. You can reduce your dosage to 20 mgs for a week and then to 16mgs for a week. Maybe that will give you enough to get by then.
Best wishes,
Laurie
J J
10 July 2011
Thank you for your answer. I started feeling like I was having withdrawl symptoms. I've gone through it before so I know how it feels. At the same time it could've been my nerves. I just refuse to go backwards. Now just concerned if I run out can I hang on til I see my doctor.
LaurieShay
10 July 2011
How many times did you take extra and how much each time?
J J
11 July 2011
Started on Wed. for the first time. Took 3 at 8am everyday as DR. advised. But at 11 pm. on Wed. night took 1 Thurs. at 130.am, Fri. I took a 1/2 at 11 pm, Sat. night 1. I try to hold out and will be so bad I wake up and have to take it.
LaurieShay
11 July 2011
I recommend you split your dose in half and take 12mgs in the morning and 12mgs in the late afternoon. This will hopefully keep you from having symptoms in the night. You have taken an extra 36mgs. After you have been on the Suboxone for a couple of weeks you can reduce to 20mgs during the third and fourth week and have just enough to get to the end of the prescription time. Make sense?
As you are on a high dose, I suspect what you are experiencing is more anxiety than withdrawals at night. Hopefully, the split dose will help you make it through the night. Stay in touch.
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- Suboxone uses and safety info
- Suboxone prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Suboxone (detailed)
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