Buprenorphine and Withdrawal: What Users Say

• Mar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 22, 2020

Sublocade (buprenorphine) for Opioid Use Disorder "I’ve been on heroin, then methadone and finally Suboxone for nearly 2 decades. My dose has been one 8mg strip a day for several years. I had nasty withdrawals trying to lower my dose. I became resigned to a lifelong dependence on Suboxone. About 9 months ago, switched to Sublocade injection. Two months at 300mg, then four months of 100mg. I decided to discontinue the injections in early March. It’s now late June and I'm finally off Bupe. I have to say I had very little withdrawals. It almost seems too good to be true. All the lumps from the injections have finally disappeared, and I think I’m about 95% through it. Very, very easy kick compared to trying to wean down off Suboxone strips. I’ve been 3 1/2 months without an injection and I’ve achieved what I thought was impossible. I thought I would be hooked on Suboxone strips for the rest of my life."

• Anonymous
• August 10, 2011

Butrans (buprenorphine) for Pain "This patch is the best thing to happen to me since I hurt my back. It gives me freedom from living my life based on prescriptions. No more worrying about running out of pills, or waking up in the middle of the night just to take a pill because I start to go through withdrawals. (I am not talking about puking in the toilet, curled up on the floor withdrawals. I mean the awkward feeling and leg twitches that wake me up). I work 12-hour shift work 3 to 4 days a week, and the fact is I need more pills on some days. It was a constant worry having to balance my pain, work, life, and pill intake so I wouldn’t run out. I still need oxycodone for “breakthrough pain” but I do need to take just a few to feel comfortable. If I have a day off work and only need one pill, I don’t have to take more later. If you have just started taking them, give them some time to kick in, it took a week or so for me to realize it was really working, after two months I realized the overall impact on my life. The freedom from a pill bottle is the main benefit, and I am sure other chronic pain sufferers can relate. I read these blogs all the time, to research and gather information about new medicines my doctor wants to try. I have never felt the need to share until this point. Hope it helps somehow."

• Cee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 28, 2019

Sublocade (buprenorphine) for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "So I was addicted to opiates for 4 years, taking them orally and crushing and snorting them. That's when I knew I needed help. I was losing everything and spending way too much money, I was basically working to get high. So I originally started with 8mg Suboxone 2 times a day, then 21mg once a day for six months. I was then offered the Sublocade shot. Initially, I was skeptical but ended up doing it and am glad I did. It did burn upon injection, and I was a little nauseous for a couple of days, but then fine. So I never went back for the second dose. Let me tell you why this worked for me, but you have to really want to not be dependent on another medication. My theory was it's slowly released into your bloodstream, so it will slowly leave as well. Yes, I did go through a little withdrawal with the hot/cold and sweating for like 2 days, but it was definitely nothing like withdrawal from the actual opiate itself. I am currently still clean and sober, loving my family, and life itself."

• Ske...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 29, 2020

Belbuca (buprenorphine) for Pain "Was on the Belbuca 7-day patch but suffered from withdrawals every 5.5 days. If not complete withdrawals, then pain all day on the sixth day. Got tired of it and changed to the 12-hour film. No matter how hard you try, it sticks to your teeth and takes about an hour to go away. I found it took care of my sciatica but didn't do a thing for stretched nerve pain. It would break through the Belbuca at about 11 am, and screaming breakout pain would be with me for 12 hours. So I couldn't tell if it worked at all. Either my breakout pain was a hundred and the Belbuca was a ten, but I could not tell if I was on the medication or not. I hurt every day."

• Cas...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 2, 2019

Sublocade (buprenorphine) for Opioid Use Disorder "I was part of the phase III trial of what is now called Sublocade. This shot literally saved my life. I was doing $300 of heroin IV every day for years. I went to rehab, tried Suboxone strips, weaning, etc., nothing worked. I took this shot at 300 mg for 14 months, and not only did I have no issues quitting, but I had no withdrawal symptoms after discontinuing the shot. I fully 100% recommend this medication to anyone suffering from opiate dependency. Please, don't hesitate. Try it if you're able."

• Cle...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 16, 2019

Sublocade (buprenorphine) for Opioid Use Disorder "The shot was not nearly as painful as I expected, and that night I definitely felt glowing and content. The day after, I was alright, but the next day and following days I had zero energy, watery eyes, painful legs, couldn't sleep like normal. I knew by getting the injection I wasn't getting the right dose or even nearly enough as I was on strips. I was so beside myself and angry I'd let the doctor talk me into the shot. It's too new, and not enough information online about it. I feel like a guinea pig! I finally talked the office into letting me come back in for supplemental strips. When I went in, he said I wasn't the only patient having withdrawals after switching. I feel duped and will be going back to strips for a while. It seems to me that Sublocade is more of a stepping stone to help patients get off Suboxone, but certainly not for those newly sober and wanting to just feel normal. I've been through such a hard time with this medication."

• Dad...
• November 4, 2019

Butrans (buprenorphine) for Pain "This is simply an awful drug that is shockingly being misrepresented as a frontline pain management drug versus a rehabilitation drug. Doctors are being either scared or bullied into writing scripts for this trash and people like myself with MS, 11 invasive surgeries including multiple cervical fusions, multiple thoracic disc replacements, and one of my fusions is broken. Furthermore, in my case, it was equitably compared to a fentanyl patch in performance. It was my pharmacy that actually told me what it was and how it would, or more so would not, work. I had no titration down from 100 Morphine Equivalents and was started on a patch of 7.5 mcg. This medicine is so misunderstood that when I went into withdrawal, then became dehydrated from the bowel distress and vomiting, our little hospital didn't know what to do and was too scared to help on a Sunday afternoon. IF GIVEN THE CHOICE, please don't agree to it and save yourself a ton of unneeded misery. Best of luck and find a doctor you trust."

• Bab...
• March 1, 2019

Belbuca (buprenorphine) for Chronic Pain "It probably would work fine if titrated to correct level. I can’t take NSAIDs because I’m a stroke survivor so got Hydrocodone many years ago. Didn’t take except as prescribed. The Belbuca is fine (with its non-dissolving issues), but it’s over $600 a month for Humana Medicare. It’s more than 8 if above 300mcg. They offer no discount for Medicare. The copay for me was $317.00. Butrans was given since it’s a lot cheaper but the mcg start at 7.5, which is way less than 150. I’m in fear to start it. I’m in fear of withdrawal and severe pain. The doctor doesn’t seem to care. He’s doing his job except he’s not helping his patient. He’s obeying the government."

• Mag...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 30, 2018

Sublocade (buprenorphine) for Opioid Use Disorder "I did a study for the shot in 2016. After 7 years of injecting heroin, they accepted me and my fiancé in the study. It was like we hit the lottery. It took a few days for us to adjust to it, but when we did, it was amazing! It really helps with your dopamine levels and cravings. We took it for 13 months, and then we got off it. We didn’t have any withdrawal symptoms or pain at all following our last shot. I highly recommend it to any opiate users. It was the only way we quit using after seven years."

• Lau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 18, 2020

Sublocade (buprenorphine) for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I was on Suboxone for 4 or 5 years without even thinking of going back to heroin. However, occasionally I would take an extra or even two extra! I knew that it didn’t even do anything or get me high, but I did it anyway. When I heard of Sublocade, I thought to myself that this was my answer to finally not be dependent on the pills! The first couple of days I went through “withdrawal,” but I believe it was in my head. Then, a few months in (maybe 5), my friend asked me, “wouldn’t you be able to just stop getting it and it would slowly take you down?” and I was like, “uhhhh idk?” Lol, but I couldn’t stop wondering. One month I decided to stop getting it, and I could always go back if need be. That was in October or November of last year, and knock on wood, I’m still good... absolutely no withdrawal. I’ll update if it happens though."

• Bel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 21, 2016

Butrans (buprenorphine) for Pain "I need to update my previous post. I tried the patch about a year ago, but hadn't been completely off all other narcotics at the time of application, so I went through a horrible withdrawal. I decided to give it another chance because of all the good reviews. This time I abstained from all narcotics for 16 hours before applying the patch. I had a lot of pain for about 48 hours after application, but I'm about 60 hours in now & feeling much less pain than I ever did on Percocets. I still have some pain, but I'm only on the 7.5 & will probably have to go up to at least a 10 to feel very little pain. I haven't taken a pain pill in several days. I feel clear-headed & hopeful about the future. I'm so happy I gave the patch another chance!"

• Ste...
• March 17, 2014

Subutex (buprenorphine) for Opioid Use Disorder "In 2010, what started as some needed relief for back pain, the FL Pill Mill took me for a ride which almost cost me my life. Being prescribed 120 30mg Oxy/month to 15 months later being at 240 30mg Oxy and 90 40mg Opana ER. The damage I caused my family in that brief period was substantial, but the damage I did to myself was enormous. One day, looking in the mirror, I was scared into reality. How had I gone from 276lbs to 204lbs in 9 months? At that precise moment, I called a Subutex Dr and 48hrs later, in withdrawals I started Subutex. What transpired over the next 9 months was nothing short of a rebirth. In Jan 2012, I took my last 0.75mg dose of Subutex and with it, I flushed 690mg of Oxy and 360mg of Opana, left over from the day I started Subutex!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 31, 2019

Butrans (buprenorphine) for Chronic Pain "Another very important thing! You MUST be well into withdrawal if you are being moved off another strong opioid such as fentanyl, oxycodone, etc. Otherwise, it will precipitate an even worse withdrawal! I was not made aware of this and my switching from 140 mg oxycodone to a 70 mcg patch, which gave me FAR worse withdrawals than I ever experienced coming off the massive amounts of opioids I'd been on before. That was a walk in the park compared to transitioning to the buprenorphine because I was told just to stop the oxycodone and start the patches, without being in withdrawal first. I NEVER want to go through that again and I'd hate for anyone else to either. And although everyone varies, it actually takes around 2 weeks to fully build up in your system, I was told this only after I ended up in A&E after 3 days, and by then my pain was totally out of control. You should be given buprenorphine subs during this 'settling in' period. Ironically, all of this info I found on the NHS's OWN guidance on the usage of buprenorphine, intended for health professionals."

• Hea...
• October 21, 2018

Belbuca (buprenorphine) for Chronic Pain "I've been on Butrans, but I grew used to that, and my pain management put me on Belbuca and I've been on it for about 3 years. I was on 900, and for the first time in so long, I had no pain. My insurance refused to pay for it anymore. I can't afford $800.00 a month. My issue is that I'm allergic to all pain meds except Belbuca. Now I'm going through this awful withdrawal, and now I'm crippled again, where it's very hard to walk or even breathe. I have RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) for the last 13 years. In the meantime, with no pain meds, I also lay here with 2 broken toes and a foot that has a bone infection. Can't operate because of no pain meds. I started out using the prescription card from Belbuca, and I guess once you're hooked, they take it away. There is no generic. So I lay here in the most awful pain ever. It was the best while it lasted, but for a person like me who is allergic to everything, it's hard."

• red...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 18, 2025

Sublocade (buprenorphine) for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "This is an update. I did my first review 24 hours after receiving a 300 mg injection. I gave it the highest rating possible at the time. I’m happy to say I stand by that as of now, and it has been two weeks since receiving. Naturally, I have that hideous lump about the size of a grape under my skin. Nobody tells you how big, they just say a small lump, which is very subjective. I’ve had no redness, no itching, no pain unless I bump into it, then, it’s tender. I’ve had no withdrawal, no cravings, no side effects related to opiate use, or in comparison to Suboxone. The shot is much better for me because there’s not that roller coaster of up and down as your dose wears off. My plan is to receive this one and only shot and then be done with it all. I will review again at approximately six weeks. Good luck to all! Oh, I’m sorry, I did feel a little bit high for the first two or three days while my body adjusted, then it was just normal, kind of like the first time I took Suboxone."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 2, 2019

Sublocade (buprenorphine) for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "I finally got approval from my insurance for Sublocade, and I can't tell you the difference it's made. Sure, it hurts a tad, but only having to deal with one shot a month is totally worth it. I initially got my two 300 mg doses, and I think I've had four 100 mg doses. I'm going to try to make this my last one. There isn't much (if any) info on stopping Sublocade after a few months. Only what I've read on this forum, and all of those seem to be positive. Can anyone add to this? My doc is going to keep my next dose at the office and will squeeze me in if I start to have withdrawals later down the road, and my regular GP prescribed some low-dose Ativan in case the w/d's are mild. I'm nervous but so excited that for the first time in 10 years, I won't need any of this med!"

• joh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 31, 2020

Sublocade (buprenorphine) for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "Been trying to quit heroin and other opiates since I was 18 or so. Now I'm 32, and I've spent years on Suboxone with some success for periods, but eventually, I'd fall into selling them for pills or bags of dope or whatever else I wanted. Also, I don't want to be on this drug forever. Got my first injection about a month ago, it hurt, and after the initial 'high' wore off, I didn't feel great for about 2 weeks. Not bad, though, don't take that as I was dying or in withdrawal, just not as good as I was on strips. After that first 2 weeks, I started feeling normal, about to get my second injection soon, and I'm looking forward to the future and excited about both not having the option to screw this up by selling my script and the incredibly long life that seems to allow many people to stop without serious withdrawal symptoms. Maybe it's not for everyone, use your judgment, but I don't want to keep repeating the same cycle for me."

• War...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 14, 2020

Sublocade (buprenorphine) for Opioid Use Disorder "After taking sublingual Suboxone for about a year (10 mg/day), I had my first injection of Sublocade two weeks ago, and the first day was great. In fact, I was a bit high. It's been a while! Day two, I was certainly not high, and dropping quickly. Day three, withdrawals had started. Fortunately, I had some leftover tablets to get me to the doctor. They didn't believe that the Sublocade injection wasn't working. I was told, 'your mind is playing tricks on you.' I was the very first person at my clinic to try it. The nurse had never administered it before. Perhaps that was a factor? The Sublocade website says a 300 mg shot is good for anyone (who was) taking Suboxone tablets from 8 to 24 mg/day. Excuse me?! That's a huge range! Idk.... I don't know why it didn't work for me, but I assure you: it did not."

• Kir...
• January 15, 2013

Subutex (buprenorphine) for Chronic Pain "I was on Buprenorphine for 13 months for fibromyalgia after 2 car accidents. It did help and relieve a lot of my pain, but at first, I was so drowsy, I was falling asleep while driving. Also, the withdrawals from this medication can last for weeks."

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 12, 2023

Sublocade (buprenorphine) for Opioid Use Disorder "Sublocade is a lifesaver. I wish more people knew about it. I've been struggling with a daily heavy opiate (IV heroin and fentanyl) addiction for 13 years. I was on Suboxone for 3 years and methadone for 6 years as well. I wanted to get off methadone and try Sublocade when I heard about it because I've tried getting off both Suboxone and methadone many times with no success - the withdrawal was too much. I was on 60 mg of methadone when I went to the doctor asking to switch. We did the Burmese Method (or slow micro-dosing Suboxone while fast taper of methadone) to switch me from methadone to Suboxone and then to Sublocade. The taper lasted 2 weeks, and by the end, I was on 12 mg of Suboxone and no methadone. I had no withdrawal. I stayed on Suboxone for 1 week then got 1 300 mg shot. I didn't have to supplement Suboxone. 6 weeks later, I got a second Sublocade shot. Now it has been 6 months since my 2 shots, and I have had absolutely no withdrawal symptoms. Even if my brain was looking for them - nothing."

• Jac...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 5, 2025

Sublocade (buprenorphine) for Opioid Use Disorder "I was opiate dependent for eight years. I tried everything to get off of them with no luck. But I had the best Dr. working with me! Finally, she suggested Sublocade. I was on the shot about 2 years. Every time I would decide to go without it to see if I could finally be free from opiates, I would start having withdrawals. We tried again 7 months ago, this time I have been opiate free for the past 7 months! Not a single withdrawal symptom! I FINALLY HAVE MY LIFE BACK! Thank you, Sublocade, a true miracle drug for opiate dependency!"

• hee...
• November 17, 2020

Sublocade (buprenorphine) for Opioid Use Disorder "I was an addict for 17 years. I used opiates and coke. I got on Suboxone 7 years ago and have been clean for 5. But I was still on 4 mg of Suboxone. I got 1 Sublocade injection back in June. Afterwards, because of COVID, it was a pain going to the doctor. I really didn't like the injection, so I got a script of Suboxone. I decided to wait until I needed them. It has been almost 6 months, and I've been opiate and Suboxone-free. I've had minor withdrawals, but nothing I couldn't handle. It seems too good to be true, but it is. It worked for me so far, and I'm pretty sure one injection shot isn't gonna last this long. Anyway, hope you all the best."

• BKa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 11, 2019

Sublocade (buprenorphine) for Opioid Use Disorder "I was on Suboxone for 10 years, and I weaned myself down to one 2 mg strip a day, and I just couldn’t kick it. I found out about Sublocade, and the 1st month I took a 300 mg injection, then the 2nd month I took 100 mg. The last shot I took was December 2018, and I’ve not had to take any Suboxone since my 1st shot of Sublocade. It’s now November 2019, and I’ve had no withdrawals whatsoever. The only problem I’m having is it still shows up on urine drug screens, and I have random tests. But other than that, it’s been great."

• Mar...
• October 9, 2017

Butrans (buprenorphine) for Chronic Pain "On pain patch for 3 years and lowered from 10 mg to 5 mg. Did this to stop the use of this drug. It works great for about the first year, then other issues start. Poor sleep, withdrawal after the 5th day, won't last 7 days. When I stopped it, I had legs and arms spasming to the point of not walking, also lack of energy, and tired for about three weeks, depression, lack of interest in anything. Don't start if you can avoid it."

• Pas...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 24, 2014

Subutex (buprenorphine) for Opioid Use Disorder "Subutex saved my life, hands down. I was an out-of-control opiate addict before I finally admitted my problem to my doctor. I was put on Suboxone first but had negative reactions to the naloxone in it (rashes and swelling). The Subutex was more effective too. I had to stop taking it cold turkey when I got pregnant and suffered some pretty rough withdrawal symptoms (nothing as bad as detoxing from oxycodone though). A few months ago, I was diagnosed with a kidney stone and was prescribed opiates to treat the excruciating pain. I immediately started abusing them and found myself back in the clutches of addiction. I just got back on Subutex today. I'm so thankful for this medication. I know I can regain control of my life again!"