Buprenorphine and Headaches: What Users Say

• Aba...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 27, 2019

Belbuca (buprenorphine) for Chronic Pain "13+ years being STABLE on 150+ MME oxycodone and Morphine. Dr. Retires and the APRN I was left with refused to continue my care. Forced into a Pain Clinic and due to the torturous CDC “guidelines” and the FAKE opioid crisis (Fentanyl/Heroin is the real problem) I was given Belbuca as the ONLY option. I’m now at max dose of 900 mcg. It does work on nerve pain but has zero effect on bone pain. Headache is common and severe in the beginning but they do go away. Supposed to last 12 hours but consistently last only 6. After only a few months the dosage stops working. Now I’m at the top with nowhere to go. It also costs over $900.00 a MONTH. My old reliable meds cost $7 and $10 bucks a month. THANKS A LOT! You’ve successfully DESTROYED patients' lives, MANY have committed suicide due to your reckless recommendations. DAMN YOU ALL!"

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 4, 2020

Belbuca (buprenorphine) for Chronic Pain "I have been struck with horrible chronic pain from PLDS (Post-Lyme Disease Syndrome). First I was prescribed oxycodone. I hated the side effects: apathy, brain fog, severe constipation, sweats, nausea, headaches. I was miserable. I fired my pain doctor and signed up for a Chronic Pain MAT program. They prescribed Belbuca, and I’m very satisfied with my experience. It helps with pain as well as the oxycodone did, but the apathy and brain fog are pretty much gone. On my correct dose, I have no nausea, headaches, or other icky side effects. I’m free from the endless rollercoaster of pain and withdrawals between doses, and having to make sure I have opiates with me at all times just in case. A word of caution regarding the bad reviews: some of them may not have given the medication enough time to find the right dose for them. For others, it may not work, but for me, Belbuca controls pain and doesn’t make you high - to me, that’s a good thing. I can be a full participant in my life again."

• Jan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 14, 2019

Belbuca (buprenorphine) for Chronic Pain "My insurance company just canceled me. Pretty sure it was due to the HUGE cost of this medication. Different pharmacies charge from $900 to $1500 per month. I have NEVER abused any medications. Ever. Yet I am made to feel like some kind of drug addict. I have had multiple surgeries on my knees, shoulders, ankle, back, etc. Metal plates and pins. This drug gives me headaches, constipation, and I can't sleep. I am exhausted all the time. What the government has done to people who need pain medication is abuse. They need to go after the illegal heroin, fentanyl, and whatever else. Leave the people who REALLY do need pain medication alone. Let our doctors do their jobs! This drug is a joke. And yet again the pharmaceutical companies are getting rich off of Americans who have worked their whole lives. I just want to be able to function again. Belbuca is not the answer for my pain. Maybe it works for others."

• Ks...
• October 12, 2019

Belbuca (buprenorphine) for Chronic Pain "Started Belbuca 1 week and 2 days ago. Fibromyalgia, Degenerative Disc Disease, Degenerative Bone Disease, Peripheral Neuropathy, and Scoliosis. I've been on pain meds for 19 years. Starting dose was 300mcg every 12 hours, which was increased to 600mcg after 1 week. My chronic pain is not being fully covered yet, but it did help with withdrawal symptoms. I've been given hydrocodone for breakthrough pain, but it takes more to manage my pain. I anticipate my doctor will likely increase my dose to 900mcg when I go back to see her in 2 weeks. Side effects include headaches/migraines and lack of energy. Previous Medications: Methadone 20mg daily with hydrocodone for breakthrough pain for the last 8 years. Before that, I took OxyContin with Oxycodone for breakthrough pain. The government needs to realize that opioid deaths aren't from people being treated for pain under a doctor, but from people using heroin and carfentanil acquired from street drugs."

• Hap...
• September 20, 2019

Belbuca (buprenorphine) for Chronic Pain "Two words - Belbuca sucks. It does not control my pain, it gives me headaches, dry mouth, and I can't sleep at night. I wish the government could be in as much pain as some of us are out there and see how they handle their day. I'll surely prescribe Belbuca to them."

• Jay...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 23, 2019

Belbuca (buprenorphine) for Chronic Pain "I cannot believe the 10 ratings on here. This drug is horrible for me. I've been taking oxycodone for 5 years and my doc is trying to get me to switch, as others have said, due to the opioid crisis. I'm not chasing a 'high', I am chasing a reduced pain life. My pain level was a 3 on oxycodone. Now my joint and nerve pain is at a 9, dare I say a 10. I hate to say a 10 but the pain level is back to the worst I've ever had. Not only that but I get extremely nauseous and get a BAD headache. I have to take Tylenol and Benadryl to sleep when I take it, and when I wake up I feel like I have a hangover - the side effects from this drug are worse than anything I had ever experienced on Oxycodone, and then added side effects from Benadryl compound it. This drug is just absolutely horrible and my body cannot tolerate it. Makes me think doctors are getting a kickback to prescribe it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2012

Butrans (buprenorphine) for Pain "Fantastic, at first. I received relief from fibro pain throughout my body and some rheumatoid arthritis pain. (Oddly, I did experience a new pain in the very center of my lower back after beginning Butrans). Once I increased to 20 mcg, after 2 days of applying the new patch, I would vomit, have nausea and headache. Then, my depression got so bad, almost to the point of hospitalization. Butrans did help with my pain, but the side effects were just too much."

• Man...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 16, 2020

Butrans (buprenorphine) for Chronic Pain "DON'T GET THIS PATCH!!!!! My pain doctor removed me from 40 mg extended relief oxycodone and IR morphine 30 mg to 10 mcg Butrans patch. I went into heavy withdrawals, and the patch caused a migraine 24/7. I was told that the patch would keep me from withdrawing, and that wasn't true! Even after my withdrawals got better, the patch still didn't work on my pain. And the side effects of headache, diarrhea, stomach aches are just not worth it!!!"

• RAf...
• August 5, 2018

Belbuca (buprenorphine) for Chronic Pain "I have had rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for many years and have dealt with chronic pain for the majority of my life. I just started Belbuca about a week ago. I was skeptical and a bit scared at first after reading reviews. I was on extended-release morphine every 12 hours and oxycodone for breakthrough pain, I was averaging 1-4 a day. My doctor started me on 300 mg Belbuca every 12 hours and let me keep my oxycodone for the breakthrough pain. So far, I am pretty happy. I have noticed since starting the Belbuca I have only had to take 2 pain pills for breakthrough pain (that’s two in over a week whereas I was taking that daily before). I seem to be in a lot less pain and have been able to be more active. I am extremely happy so far. The only negative is that I have been experiencing a lot of frequent headaches. I am not sure if it’s coincidence or because of the Belbuca, however, I will take headaches over chronic joint pain any day."

• llo...
• June 21, 2019

Belbuca (buprenorphine) for Chronic Pain "I have had 2 fusion surgeries L3 to S1, countless steroid injections, and had been on OxyContin 10 mg 3 times a day with Vicodin HP for breakthrough pain since 2010, and now I am on Belbuca 750 twice a day. It's okay, but not as effective as OxyContin & Vicodin. I get headaches every day now, and the pain relief is mediocre at best. Give me back my OXY!"

• Sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 4, 2017

Belbuca (buprenorphine) for Pain "I was on Fentanyl patches for a year and a half at 75 mcg. I was needing a little more pain relief, so the doctor was going to switch me to Butrans. Insurance wouldn't pay, so he decided on Belbuca. I've currently been on it for almost 2 weeks. I can't sleep more than an hour a day. I have a massive headache all the time, and my skin crawls like there are bugs under it. I've talked to the doctor, but he will not listen. It's not controlling the pain, it wears off for hours before the next dose. I can't hold food down, and I have no desire to drink anything either."

• Anonymous
• January 25, 2012

Butrans (buprenorphine) for Pain "The patch started off as a great alternative to the other options, but I quickly had too many issues with it to continue using it. It constantly peels off, leaves big red itchy bumps, loses its effectiveness after about 4 days, makes me dizzy, nauseous, light-headed, races my heart, and gives me headaches. Too bad because it really killed the pain. Never mind the cost."

• Com...
• January 15, 2012

Subutex (buprenorphine) for Opioid Use Disorder "I recently switched from Suboxone to Subutex, and I could not have been more grateful for my doctor allowing the change. I never felt 'good' on Suboxone, I always had a headache, I was always sick to my stomach, and I felt I couldn't do anything until I took my dose. Now, with Subutex, I actually feel GOOD. I have energy, I have a desire to go out and live again, rather than just exist from dose to dose of that awful citrus taste. I also see myself not needing as large of an amount in order to keep me feeling alright. I am so thankful for Subutex."

• Luc...
• March 31, 2019

Belbuca (buprenorphine) for Chronic Pain "I was prescribed Belbuca to help me with severe pain, but what I received from this medication was SEVERE PAIN! Horrible headaches. Muscle spasms in my back and neck. Scalp tenderness. The blowing of the wind on my scalp was very painful. Never again!"

• Ala...
• October 9, 2019

Belbuca (buprenorphine) for Pain "I was involved in a methanol explosion that covered me in the flaming liquid. Fifty percent of my body suffered from third-degree or higher burns. I was given hydromorphone in the hospital, along with oxy 30s. Upon leaving the hospital, I was given oxy 10s, then oxy 7.5. Those seemed to try and help but still left me with quite a bit of pain. Pain management wrote me a script for 150 mcg Belbuca. I started taking the medicine, and it seemed to work better than the oxys, but it left me with bad headaches in the beginning and a really fuzzy head. The best I can describe it is like a really bad hangover but without the physical effects other than the headache. Just really disconnected and a chemical feeling. The biggest problem is how sleepy it makes me. If I'm active and moving around, I'm usually okay, but if I sit down, especially if I need to drive a car, I almost fall asleep, which is extremely dangerous, so trying to plan when I can take my meds around if I need to go somewhere is really difficult."

• Pai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 19, 2019

Belbuca (buprenorphine) for Chronic Pain "I was really excited to start this medication recommended by my PM neurologist. Unfortunately, I had horrific reactions to it. My face became red and covered in red dots. My hands swelled up and were very itchy. I was unable to have a bowel movement. I had severe headaches and vomiting. I was lethargic and extremely sleepy. I had terrible nightmares and would wake up yelling or crying. My body has been twitching and spasming uncontrollably. I can’t think or comprehend anything. I suffered through these side effects for 3 days, hoping my body just needed to adjust, but on the evening of my last dose, I had chest pain and thought I was going to die choking on a banana. My throat had swelled up. It’s been about 60 hours since I took the last dose of Belbuca, my throat still feels slightly swollen. My body is still twitching every 15-30 seconds, and I am extremely sleepy. Other than the bad headache and chest pain, it worked on my chronic pain."

• Pai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 19, 2019

Belbuca (buprenorphine) for Chronic Pain "I was really excited to start this medication recommended by my PM neurologist. Unfortunately, I had horrific reactions to it. My face became red and covered in red dots. My hands swelled up and were very itchy. I was unable to have a bowel movement. I had severe headaches and vomiting. I was lethargic and extremely sleepy. I had terrible nightmares and would wake up yelling or crying. My body has been twitching and spasming uncontrollably. I can’t think or comprehend anything. I suffered through these side effects for 3 days, hoping my body just needed to adjust, but on the evening of my last dose, I had chest pain and thought I was going to die choking on a banana. My throat had swelled up. It’s been about 60 hours since I took the last dose of Belbuca, my throat still feels slightly swollen. My body is still twitching every 15-30 seconds, and I am extremely sleepy. Other than the bad headache and chest pain, it worked on my chronic pain."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 4, 2018

Belbuca (buprenorphine) for Pain "Throw it in the garbage or, better yet, don’t waste your money to begin with. Major upset stomach, headaches, and zero pain control. Started at 75 mcg twice a day for a few days and won’t bother with it anymore. Tramadol works way better than this, and Tramadol isn’t great."

• Jus...
• September 1, 2020

Sublocade (buprenorphine) for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I attempted to get off Suboxone two or three times but never past 2 milligrams. I decided to try Sublocade as a way of getting off Suboxone, I would get one shot and then it would slowly leave my system. I went to the clinic for the shot of Sublocade, the injection was super painful as I have very little body fat, it hurt like anything. The injection site was sore for approximately 4 days. The first 2 days I felt 'sub high,' and on the 3rd, I had a super headache and did not feel well. Over the next three or four days, I was super tired and falling asleep in the afternoon. Approximately 7 days in, I began to feel better and I seemed to normalize. I noticed that I no longer feel sick in the morning, so I am no longer reminded of my problem. I began to get up normally and get rolling without issue. I am getting tired earlier in the evening, which is not a bad thing because I was going to bed at approximately 12 every night, now I'm going to bed at 11 and I suspect it will be 10 soon."

• Anonymous
• September 27, 2011

Butrans (buprenorphine) for Pain "I have been using Butrans for 2 months now. I have scoliosis, cervical, and lumbar bulging discs. I do get relief from the patches, but it doesn't take the pain completely away. I am also prescribed Vicodin for breakthrough pain episodes. My main complaint is HEADACHES! I have been having the worst headaches, so I discontinued the patch for the past week and a half. I am going to resume it today. I will let you know if it's the patch or something else. I am hoping I can continue with the Butrans because it does give me relief."

• Fib...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 26, 2014

Butrans (buprenorphine) for Chronic Pain "My doctor first prescribed these for me at the 10 mg dosage as many of her fibromyalgia patients did well on them. When I first started to use them, the side effects were awful: headaches, lightheadedness, dizzy spells that came on out of the blue, severe nausea. But after the first patch, the symptoms seemed to ease when I would place the patches on my thigh or arm. Then by the 2nd box, I noticed they weren't doing anything for the pain. So my doctor upped the amount to 20 mg. I started to take the first of those patches this week. Side effects were tripled. After going for a 4-mile run, I came home and felt like I was going to pass out. This turned into my vomiting violently for 20 minutes. Don't know that I'll continue; pain has dulled."

• Wif...
• May 26, 2018

Sublocade (buprenorphine) for Opioid Use Disorder "My husband has been on Suboxone for three years. Three days ago, he received his first Sublocade injection. It does leave a knot at the injection site but isn't painful. The day of the shot, he experienced extreme euphoria (unusual for him with bup/nal) and said his head felt a lot of pressure but felt no withdrawal symptoms. Day two, the euphoric feeling was gone, but he said he felt like he'd been hit by a truck and had a massive headache. Still no withdrawal, though. Today is day three, and he woke up with another truly bad headache that made him nauseous. Still, though, no withdrawals. The goal is to eventually wean off the medication. He's being patient and trying to believe these side effects (reported as common) are just his body adapting to the new delivery system. The most important thing is to avoid debilitating withdrawal. For that purpose, it has been effective. I'll continue to post as he moves closer to the end of the first cycle and when he receives his second injection."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 27, 2015

Butrans (buprenorphine) for Pain "I have a broken tailbone and an L4 fracture, didn't want pain pills so Dr. prescribed Butrans. Within 1 hour of putting the 5 mg patch on, I was dizzy and lightheaded. I went to bed and woke up still in pain and still dizzy. Day 2 nausea kicked in and still dizzy, by after I had to call Dr. because I had a bad headache and was very nauseated. Took Dramamine and it helped a little. Day 3 - I felt very out of it when I woke up, by 11 AM, I was extremely nauseated, dizzy, and shaking. Took a Dramamine and ate lunch, this did not help, I felt horrible at work. I took the patch off at 12 noon and had to leave work. I am home and it's 6 hours later, shaking has stopped, still very nauseated and dizzy. Very upset because the back pain had almost been totally gone."

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 24, 2019

Sublocade (buprenorphine) for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I have been on two 8 mg Suboxone for about 10 years. Weaning off and going through withdrawal has always been my biggest hurdle to quitting. My doctor mentioned this shot to me. Said minimal side effects and coming off the shot is nothing like strips. I had my first shot yesterday and felt fine, but day 2 and I feel awful. The worst stomach pain, nausea, and headache. I sure hope this goes away. The idea of not having to worry about taking meds every day is a Godsend."

• 50o...
• April 30, 2017

Butrans (buprenorphine) for Chronic Pain "On it for a month, and I'm having bad side effects. Extreme restless arms and legs, enough that I can't sleep in the same bed as my husband. Slight headache, nausea, extreme fatigue... can't function, and my pain is okay, as long as I don't do any gardening or heavy housework. Right now, I can barely make dinner. I'm so very tired all the time. I had to go on this med because we just retired, and my Medicare drug insurance will not pay for what worked so well before... then there was a quality of life... now I'm not doing so well."