I'm currently taking 3mg of Xanax daily for my anxiety disorder, and have an opiate addiction to OxyContin. My doctor wants to give me Suboxone to get off the OxyContin and I've heard that taking Xanax and Suboxone together was dangerous and could have adverse side effects. I was just wondering if anyone knew if it was safe or dangerous to combine the two drugs? And if so, what are the side effects of taking them together, if any?
Are Xanax (Alprazolam) and Suboxone safe to take together... are there any adverse side effects?
- Posted:
- 18 Jul 2009 by Derek23
- Topics:
- oxycontin, suboxone, xanax, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, alprazolam
Details:
Answers (31)
Robert_32519 Jul 2009
There is a moderate risk of adverse drug interaction resulting in respiratory depression. You can stop breathing to be blunt.
Moderate risk means your dr definitely needs to be aware of what is going on. It's a real possibility and not some far off distant extreme circumstance. It happens too often to ignore it.
I hate to see anyone taking both meds together. If you're already dependent on the xanax and have to get off RX opiates they can be taken together if there aren't other pre-existing prohibitive health conditions but it needs to be closely monitored by someone knowledgeable regardless. Be careful. I hope that helps.
8 Aug 2009
Derek,
I can provide you with information from a first-hand perspective; that is, when I first began Suboxone, I was also on 2mg of Xanax daily. The best advice I can offer to you regarding the use of both medications is to make sure that you do not take them at the same time (or one right after the other). If you are taking the Suboxone on a 3-times-a-day basis as well, I would take your Xanax two hours before (assuming you take your first dose of Xanax right when you wake-up). This will not cause any problems for you as far as the Suboxone is concerned, because its half-life is around 36 hours, and it was originally prescribed on an "every-other-day" basis. I never had any problems while taking both medications, but every person is different.
glendola
31 Aug 2009
I've been off and on xanax for many years, and that may be the reason I've never had a problem with, because I definitely do have an addictive personality. I was started on Suboxone therapy because I was diagnosed with pancreatitis and it was very painful. The doc started me at 20mg. t.i.d. and had have me at 80mg. t.i.d. within 3 months. I understand that the bodies tolerance develops very quickly with this drug, but I believe only but people are worthy of that dosage, i.e. terminally cancer patients. I have to tell you the withdrawal from oxycontin was beyong words. People think the physical part of it is difficult, but the emotional distress and the fact that you look at life differently in every was, it's indescribable. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.
james2012
22 Dec 2009
I have been taking suboxone for 9 months. It really does help cause we all know that the stuff on the steerts id horrible. It keeps ur mind off and u dont have cravings. but i would like to say that i take about 2 mgs of xanax, because after awhile its hard to go to sleep on sunboxone for me,my doctor told me about it and i think i read about it on internetbuts atleast, but im not sure tahts the problem yet because i have always had sleeping probless and anxiety but i told my docotor and he gave me temezapam, which is a benzo and it does help. I have severe insomnia and i have to take atleast two 30 mgs tablets, ithnk because of my highdoes to xanax. So to answer one s question about xanx and suboxone. i think its ok to take 3 mgs but im not a doctor and i worry to about how many i take becuase i really dont wanat to not wake up the next day. but all i know is ive taken xanax with subs and its great and it really helps,it helps me sleep.
christina4126 Dec 2009
If you're taking them together at the same time it's probably not a good idea, or else spread out the time between you take them. I was on Suboxone 16 mg's a day (8mg's 2x a day) and never mixed them together. I did take a klonopin or xanax a few weeks ago and the next day took 4 mg sub and you can feel the effect but if you're taking major amounts I'd be careful or not do it all. Very dangerous combination when they're taken at the same time.
james2012
22 Dec 2009
yea very true,but i have gotta so immune to the subox its ridiculous i donteven feel it. but thanx im surprised soemone responded... oro i think they did cause it came after mine.but i dont think im going to take the temazapam cause it is strong and some people say its better than an actually xanax and ive heard other stories too that its not as good, but yea thanx alot.
oktoday
31 Mar 2010
More people have died from mixing heroin and benzos or methadone and benzos together than suboxone. People get into trouble when they abuse the subutex and inject it and take or inject benzos with it. the lower the benzo dose the better but tolerance ane how long one has been on it also makes a difference. Everyone knocks xanax but it is one of the most effect anti-panic and anti-anxiety medications out there. Taking klonopin over 2mg a day can deplete serotonin and xanax is a triola-benzodiazipine with anti-depressant properties. The problem was it was too short acting. I take the xr version and it works great. i take 2mg xr xanax in the morning along with 2mg of suboxone and at night i take the same and i have had no problems. i love the fact i take my meds just twice a day and dont go thru the ups and downs of the immediate release version of xanax. I got up to 8mg of the ir version and was able to cut it in half because the xanax xr works so well.
20 Apr 2010
I had the same problem and am currently taking xanax and subutex, suboxone without the naltraxene, and am now addicted to both. I'm sure you can do it but you have to be really motivated to stop. Which I thought I was but really wasn't. Now I have to have both together or have bad withdrawls. Also alot of dr.'s won't prescribe both together you have to look around and tell them up front what's up, not lie to get high.
DestinyMoore
7 Apr 2011
I was originally on Lorcet/Soma and have been clean offf those for 10 mos. My doc put me on 8/2mg suboxone strips. ( 6 halves per day). Im now on only a quarter of 1/2. So basically, not much. I feel great, a little tired. Now, Ive been put on Prozac/Xanax .5 mg 2x day. I quit the strips but feel tired. I can function fine on the XANAX and PROZAC but want my little bit of energy back. I cant drink coffee/energy drinks??? Could a tiny pc of Suboxone hurt with the meds Im now prescribed???
DestinyMoore
7 Apr 2011
And I also forgot to add the severe anxiety Ive dealt with for years. It finally is causing stomach problems. not liver. The prozac/xanax I just started and I feel a lil relief. .5 mg 2x day. What to do. Im tired without the Suboxone. Even this little tiny piece!
5 Aug 2010
I have been on Suboxone for about 6 six years after being on Methadone for over 20 years; when i switched over to Suboxone i was in immediate withdrawal that same day yet I hung in there and within a week I began to feel much better; I became much more alert and other noticed a change in my appearence. In the past couple years alot of stress has entered my life, loss of spouse and recently problems with elderly parents. I started taking benzos to deal with the stress and anxiety yet lately I feel that I am becoming addicted to Xanax now; My doctor will not prescribe any benzos to me therefore I am forced to find them other ways. I did not really think that it was dangerous to take them both yet I feel that it does really help me through this stressful time in my life. I am worried about trying to stop taking them yet hopefully someday I can do this.
9 Aug 2010
I am on suboxone 8 mgs 3 times a day and take 2 2mg bars of xanax also. I have noticed that if i take them to closesly together. I really don't feel the xanax. i usually take the xanax first and then the suboxone 2-3 hrs later or vice versa. I love suboxone, it has litterally saved my life. i was on 200 mgs of methadone for about 3 yrs at a clinic. now i feel normal and my depression has been lessening up from this possitive change. WORD TO THE WISE though. please please please wait at least 40 or more hrs before taking the suboxone after your last dose of methadone. my doctor gave me 8 30mg roxy's per day to help with the methadone withdrawal. they say your to get down to 30mgs of methadone for about 2 weeks before the transition. I however did not do that and i was fine taking the suboxone. for the first twenty mins after taking my first 8 mg sub i felt like i was getting sicker but the i started to get better.
weecharmedone
9 Mar 2012
yes, suboxone is a god send for people getting off of herion, or oxycotin or perks which i was on. I finally found a doctor that perscribed subs and normally u should only take it for a month that is enough time to get it out of your system. 200mg of methadone wow! methadone is horrible, i wish they would stop giving that to people,and give subs,but even subs some doctors will continue to give it to you after you dont need it. when u do start subs, the doctor does tell you , you need to stay off everything for 24 hours. The subs helps you better when he gives the first doses of whats it called the 2mg tabes in their office. but , yes! i agree, wow! that would of either killed u or made u completely sick! my doc gave me 90 perks a month and 90 xanax a month. He was a horrible doctor. Thats why i stopped. Hes an wisconsin doctor that should be sued, and out of business with his license taken away,he screwed up my life. but, i was taking it for back pain.
hunnichil...10 Nov 2010
i take 2 mg of suboxone a day but i take 3 mgs of benzos every once and a while but i do not feel the benzos one bit for some reason . i am perscribed to suboxone but not perscribed to xanax i just like the way it makes me feel but rite now its doing nothing for me can somone please help i dont understand why i dont feel the benzos and im scared to take more plzz help me
DestinyMoore
7 Apr 2011
NOOOOOO. Dont do that! Suboxone is used to go thru the bloodstream... hince, dissolveable suboxone/sublingual strips! The combo is deadly, like that at least!
trix9257
28 Apr 2011
You obviously need some serious counseling as well as the suboxone. You need someone to give it to you and watch you take it every day because you know you are not supposed to snort it. cmon man. You are obvioiusly still in the mindset of a full blown addict to even think about snorting them, you are still seeking to get high, suboxone should help you live a normal life and funciton like a normal peson. you need help bro. I have been on suoxone for almost 2 years, I shot heroin for 8 years and tried every other type of rehab and therapy that is out there. Use it like you are supposed to. good luck
6 Dec 2010
it is not dangerous iof you are use too them and been taking them.i am on klonipin for seizures 1mg 2 times a day.im sorry it is dangerous but only if you are abusing the xanax taking more than needed,if you take as prescribed you are ok but it can be deadly so please be careful and take the right dose.goodluck
TboneCFP7 Dec 2010
Derek 23 - Xanax and Suboxone can be very dangerous when taken together. Depending on the dosage, your body's ability to break down the medications, you could actually go into respiratory distress. You could stop breathing, which is generally not good for your health! I would find a Dr. who specializes in addiction treatment and be 100% truthful with him/her about your addiction to both meds and let them monitor your levels of both meds. It may take some trial and error, hopefully err on the side of caution if there is an error, but you can probably find a level that will not be life threatening. I would imagine you should try to beat one at a time also, but I am not certain. At the very least, when combining the two meds, you will have a tough time just staying awake. I hope this helps. Good luck to you man ... you are at the right place if you want help. Tbone
13 Feb 2011
i am currently taking suboxone to get off a heroin addiction i had and also take xanax for panic attacks i haven't noticed any problems when i take the two medications together but i only take a football a day which is 1mg of xanax but if you take xanax with it no matter the dose you can have respiratory failure from the research i've done on it cause i was curious about it myself so if you do take them together just monitor your breathing and suboxone works really well it stops the cravings for opitaes and all the symptoms of withdrawl if you're lookin to take it to gett off the oxycontin i strongly suggest it, it will help you out alot and i strongly suggest using it to anyone that wants to get off of opiates
22 Feb 2011
HI... I was put on Dilaudid for 1 year due to spinal cord surgery and my body was dependent on it thus i had a "rebound" effect meaning i wasn't mentally addicted but my body produced MORE pain all of a sudden that didnt' let up till I got off of Dialudid and switched to SUBOXONE!!!
I take a small amount of Xanax which tremendously helped. The only side effect is sleepiness in the beginning HOWEVER i went from 5 pills a day to 1 pill a day in 3 weeks on Suboxone. MY withdrawl lasted ONLY 2 weeks and then i stayed on 1 pill a day.
rvnew13 Apr 2011
When I first went to see the doctor for suboxone detox he told me that if I were on Xanax he could not treat me with the suboxone. A friend of mine who is on suboxone had a benzoid show up in his urine test and his doctor, who is always quiet, calm and collected, got very upset about it. His doctor said it can be very dangerous! You can stop breathing and die. I know a woman who told me she took Xanax while on Suboxone and went into convulsions. I once took a 5 or 10mg Xanax and about 40 min. to an hour later I took 2mg suboxone and felt awful for about 30 min. It felt like needles and pins with feelings of withdrawal. I think I had forgotten about taking the Xanax. Mixing those two drugs is not a good idea and can be very dangerous, even deadly.
chrzzy88
26 Mar 2012
there is no 5 or 10 milligram xanx there is .5,
themrfrawg
4 Apr 2012
a 5 or 10 mg would have been valium, its a benzo; but NOT xanax; it is offered in 0.25, 0.50, 1 mg, and 2mg pills; designed to be broken in 1/4ths. 10 mg of xanax is the highest legal dose allowed by law i know this as ive been on 6 mg for over a year. just trying to help not fight, but the wrong info in the right hands could become a tragedy. im new here; im jeremy the born again ex junkie. God bless.
22 Jun 2011
Derek, I am in the same boat you are and i want to first tell you that it takes a lot to admit you have an addiction and seek help. With that said you always want to tell your doctor what meds you are on and let him make a decision but I have weened myself from taking 3 8mg suboxone a day down to a quarter of an 8mg suboxone. I also take 2mg's of xanax as needed. As long as you aren't using the xanax to get high and taking multiple bars at a time you should be fine. This combination in moderation is ok but be careful with xanax, I only take them a few times a week because the withdrawl from them is pretty scary. I went through that a few years ago and don't ever want to do that again. Good luck with everything man and i'm here if you need someone to talk to. I'm not proud of it but I have first hand experience with a lot of things.
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3 answers • 1 Jan 2012 •
Thanks for answering my question. I knew that in severe cases that reperitory arrest can occur but I'm addicted to both OxyContin and Xanax, and want to quit both. I also know that you cannot safely just stop taking the Benzo's without severe adverse reactions. So I was wondering if I could take the Suboxone for about 5-7 days while slowly weening myself off of the Xanax? I know there are precautions but if anyone has first hand experience, I wanted to know if I could do this, or if it was a very good possibility that I woudl have problems doing so?
I hate to be plainly obvious with you, but both oxycontin and xanax are very hard to withdraw from. What I IMPLORE you to do is find a doctor who prescribes Suboxone. This is a drug that allows you to withdraw from opiates (oxycontin), and it isn't like methadone that has to be administered every day, and that itself has horrible withdrawal. I've been on it for 2 years, which is an extended period of time, but that's because I'm afraid of what might happen if I were to come off of it. I've been reassured by many people that the withdrawal is insignifcant. I have to tell you that Suboxone has all but gotten rid of all my side effects and has increased my mood. The only problem you may have is that not all doctor's can prescribe this medication. You would have to look on line and find a doc close to you. I can't impress enough how beneficial this drug has been. PLEASE give it a try. You'll be amazed.
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The only thing is I don't know if it's helpful in coming off xanax.
If you have any questions, call me 732-364-0837.
Best of luck.
Glen Daly
To add to my previous comment, I somehow didn't realize that your doctor has already been reluctant to give you Suboxone considering your xanax use. I've been taking clonazepam, which is in the same family as xanax, and I have had no problems, and as I said I'm been taking Suboxone for 2 years, and since I was having anxiety the doctor prescribed Clonazepam. Mabye that is the safer of the 2, and I have to say that clonazepam is effective much longer than xanax. It seemed every time I took xanax, I was needing to take more within 3 hours.
Here I am again, I think that if you titrate down slowly from the xanax you might not have a problem. I don't know the dosage of xanax you are on, but If they ween you off slowly, as slowly as it takes, theres no rush here, I don't see a reason that couldn't be effective in doing so. I know that coming off a drug such as xanax can sometimes be fatal to the system, not to scare you, but there's no reason to come off so slowly, and as far as coming off the oxycontin, you won't die from it, you will just wish you were dead because of the wicked physical and moreso mental anguish.
Just to add to all of the comments listed on this first response: Both Xanax and Klonopin are BZDs that will lead to the same level of addiction; the only difference between the two is that Klonopin has a longer half-life... which as you mentioned, when you were on xanax, you felt like you needed more every 3 hours or so (Xanax has a half-life of roughly 4-6 hours, Klonopin's is ~12 + or - considerable variability).
Anyway, anyone who wants to come off of a BZD would be best to find a doctor who would help them taper off using the Ashton method (you can find the full version of the Ashton Manual online simply by searching for it... it will provide you with detailed info. regarding BZDs in general, as well as clear-cut schedules for how to taper off of specific doses of both Xanax and Klonopin). Anyone who is in this dilemma should check it out ASAP.
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Also, just as a note, it has been shown that patients who have been on Klonopin for an extended period of time generally find it much more difficult to taper off under the Ashton method (in contrast to those using the shorter acting BZDs such as Xanax and Ativan). I'm not completely sure as to why this has been the case, but my best guess is that it is directly related to the extended relief a person receives from the longer acting Klonopin. In fact, there are doctors who actually switch patients from Xanax to Klonopin in order to taper them off of BZDs altogether without knowing that this is, in fact, actually doing more harm than good.
If anyone needs help finding the site, let me know... but I am pretty sure I have posted it in a number of my previous posts--as have others--and it should be fairly easy to find just by searching via Google.
Take care-
Kiera
I just wanted to add to this comment, Im not sure when it was posted but for future info, unless u overdose u wont have to worry about this problem, yes it can happen if u dont take with doctor approval, and take what he/she says then u can have a problem, if u have a problem taking to much of xanax then I recommend telling ur doctor cuz he may not want to give u a Rx for xanax, I have been on suboxone for 2 years now, and it works well for me, when I have to get my shot in my back, or a MRI they give me xanax, and I dont have any problem, just be careful when taking any medicine like these, if u have a problem just get help, and check out heretohelpprogram.com there are people woh can help, and of course suboxone.com gives product info for you... good luck, hope this helps :)
I have been on suboxone for 2 yrs and have been on xanax for 12 yrs. I take 24mlg of suboxone a day and 4mg of xanax a day and i see a counsler also. She wants me to get off the xanax, but my anxiety would be through the roof, she is now saying my levels arn't matching and moving up and down. I talked to the doctor about it, and he said that was natural. What does anyone know about this? She also wants me to stop the suboxone also. Isn't that dangerous? Just need some input. thanks
I have been on Suboxone for 2 years the 8mg/2 , at first I was prescribed 3 pills a day ... this was when I didn't know any better and had no idea of how high of a dosage this was... After about a year and a half I was so speeded up on Suboxone my heart always pounding, talking non stop, cleaning non stop, It was like being on speed... My drug taken previous to Suboxone was percocet and vicoprofen oxycontin and a morphine pill opana my doctor prescribed of course not all at once, but over about three years he gave me precriptions of these painkillers... then switched me to suboxone. Along with this I told him they make me jumpy, so he gave me .25 which is 1/4 of a miligram of xanax and a ambien to sleep... Well when you are on Suboxone even one 8mg a day it takes about 4mg of xanax to even feel the xanax and calm yourself down ...
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This is me, I always took the suboxone under the tongue never misused it, actually I under used it ,because of the extreme jumpiness, I was constantly interrupting people... So I began using family members xanax so I would have enough to calm down and took 2 ambien just to sleep... when I ran out of xanax I began these bouts of shakes, tics, vomiting, even with an empty stomach, I would just dry heave... I went to the hospital, they gave me an abdominal cat skan, endiscope , showed nothing... the nauseau would not go away it took reglan and dilauid to stop the discomfort after three days of vomiting ... finally it calmed down but after being on suboxone for 1 1/2 years just getting shots of dilaudid which is like heroin I became instantly addicted... every 8hours I would be hanging off the bed waiting for the nurse to come down the hall to give me my shot, then I finally could relax and sleep, after about 4 or 5 hours I would count down to the 8 hour when I could get my shot again... I didnt have pain, but it was the only thing that stopped the nauseau . ALong with the reglan... Then they stopped and sent me home, I could not wait to get to my suboxone which I had at home thank GOD and took it... Felt better, in the hospital they cut down my xanax to 1/2 mg three times a day, which just barely stopped me from possibly having a seisure . IT was torture... Getting the pain pill shot was a bad idea... I turned into a instant major drug addict for that shot . I was never like that in my life... wow, that was scary... But my point is the suboxone when I got home just one 8mg pill made me feel normal... Now I am 2years on suboxone just taking a half of a pill a day so 4mg and I still need the xanax and a sleeping pill... Doctor just cut down to the smaller suboxone the 2mg pills he said take 2 a day... which equals 4mg . So we shall see, I am going to run out early because i can tell they do not work like the 8mg cut in half , they take really long before they work so I take 4 instead of 2 because I cannot feel anything for hours and cannot get out of bed. Usually by 4pm I need to start taking the xanax so I can relax and wind down... Guess I am on an Elvis ride... never meant to be... Have to get off... that is what I am doing but has to be really really slow. Have to have that xanax or I would be wired. Never want to take pain pills again ever. so I have experienced the shakes ,
hey there, I'm glad you asked you that question. I'm in the same position, I'm down to taking 2 .5 xanax a day now, but it was the oxycodone that I needed the suboxone for. I've been on the suboxone for 3 days now and honestly haven't stopped taking my xanax. I'm afraid if I don't take my usual xanax I'll feel even worse! I guess I'm taking a chance, not so smart I guess.
Just remember take it slow and we all can get thru it... I was told talk subs for two weeks and ween ur self off and u should be good a lot is mental..in jail they give u nothing and u go in cold turkey and in three days ur fine I seen it..so it can be done put ur heart and soul in it
I had been taking Lortab10mg, and some Percocet10mg, on average 4-6 a day, being prescribed 6. Of course I would run out and become very sick,my legs would ache and twitch,my stomach was a mess, and my whole world was turned upside down. As a Christian, I have really struggled with this, I kept telling myself that since it was prescribed I could take the meds and it not be an addiction (or a sin). But God revealed to me that my abuse of this was wrong. So I have been praying for help, I am also prescribed Xanax 1mg daily, I have been taking that dose for 5 years. I have a friend who told me about Suboxone, so I set my mind and my prayers on this working for me. I called a local pharmacy and had them check the drug interactions and they told me there were no interactions, but their would be a greater risk of stopping the Xanax, than there would be to combine the two. So I have been taking 2-5 mg Suboxone a day for 3 weeks now, with my 1mg Xanax.
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I get some anxiety about an hour of so after my first dose during the morning, but then I feel fine, I have no withdrawal symptoms from the painkillers now, and I break my 1mg Xanax in 2 peices and take one in the morning and one closer to bedtime. This seems to be working for me. I am wondering how long I should stay on Suboxone, and what will my withdrawal symptoms be when I quit taking it. Due to my ongoing anxiety, I don't abuse that med. only the painkillers. So, I want to be free from those"chains of sin" that I feel are hindering my closeness with God. Please talk with me about your experiences and if you know God personally please pray for and with me while I try to overcome this battle in my life.
I have been on suboxone therapy for about a year now, and I also take 1mg of xanax at night (only) and have not experienced any adverse reactions. I am however, under the care of an Addictions Specialist Physician who manages all my medications. Hope this helps.
I am on suboxone and currently taking my prescribed xanax and triazolam, which both are benzos and I have had no problems so far and it's been a been a blessing to me to come off my opiate addiction and still have my prescribed meds helping me through it!!! Wish you the best of luck!!!
I have been addicted to oxycontin as well and suboxone not only helped me with the withdrawals, but also the cravings. I would also encourage you to find someone certified in addiction diseases and get a prescription, but I will warn you, it's not cheap.
in july,2008 i was prescribed suboxone, my drug of choice was any kind of opiate.i stayed clean for 2 1/2 years.never did i think of taking another opiate. this medicine saved my life.yes there were friends if mine, they told me that i would get addicted to suboxone. june 1,2011,i got a new job, on the 10th of june i moved into an apt on my own,finally,because i was living with a roomate who was an alcoholic.that was a bad choice,but anyway on june 17,2011, i was on my way to help out a homeless person. i wrecked,they said i ran a red light,but i'm such a carefull driver, i thought the light was green,i was wrong. some one hit me,and all i remember was being in the emergency room. i ended up with 4 broken ribs and rt lower leg was broken really bad, and i was referred to an orthopedic surgeon.just starting my job, i had no insurance(health),so i had to go to a charity hospital.and they prescribed me my drug of choice.LORTAB. so i knew i had to take the pain med.
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and also i did not tell the dr that i am a drug addict.i didnt know what to say because i was in so much pain.so the dragon was back in my life. for a while i was taking it as prescribed but about a month later,i found my self going to different emergency rooms, buying off the streets,and calling dr for more.being that i had no income, i started begging from anyone i knew just to get more. i was taking 20+ a day and felt like they didnt work anymore.then one day i woke up feeling like shit because i was out of pain meds. i tried calling the dr that had prescribed the suboxone and his nurse said the he was not in the drug abuse clinic any more, that i would have to find a private dr. the clinic is a state mental health clinic.which i didnt have to pay for any services,just pay for the suboxone, then i got into the suxoxone help program. i got the prescription for free for one year. boy, was that a blessing from god.so here i am with no money and i found a dr that charges 400.00 for the first visit plus the price of suboxone.i was not close to my family anymore due to my addiction years ago.it took me two days detoxing to call my brother that could afford to help me.and he did, i am back in my families life. and it was about 8 years that my family disowned me. as of today i am clean and sober, but am having alot of anxiety concerning my bills. i did call that same dr about xanax and she explained about the drug interacting together. so i took her advice and not take any benzos. im feeling great and i put my anxiety aside trying to do other things. i do have God in my life,and i give my problems to him.actually i have been blessed throughout my whole ordeal.yes i could cry and break down, but i have come so far, i will not lose my apt, and i am always late in paying my bills,but you know what? i am a blessed child of God. he will prevail. God bless all addicts out there struggling, there will come a day when you say"i'm sick and tired of being sick and tired".
Who ever said thinks they won't be just as sick DT-ing from Suboxone obviously hadsbt done it yet! I know first hand that 8mg a day for 7 months about killed me. It's wasn't even close to kicking 120mg of Methadone (2 years... roughly) but it was just a bad and LONGER than ANY dope DT... & I'm not just some kid who did oxys or whatever. I was a hardcore North Philadelphia Badlands junkie for over a decade... I know what I'm talking about, I've been dope sick thousands of times... nothing is close to Methadone except Suboxone (which is horrible if not tapered VERY easily), I got to the point of dry heaving &/or blood vomiting for about 12-14 hours on day 6 or 7. If you are doing the right thing, odds are you won't go to jail an be forced to DT without tapering and you will avoid it being as intense. BTW to answer the main topic (which I squandered away from) mixing Xanax & Suboxone Fu*k's you up like mixing Methadone and Suboxone.
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Therefore it will KILL you the same way... respiratory failure. Hope everyone who posted here with addiction problems is doing well, everyday is a struggle... but things can get better!
I agree with Robert 100%. There can be adverse reactions.
Im not sure about taking suboxone & xanax together, but I do know a little about taking suboxone. I have only been taking it for the past two weeks & everyday It gets easier & easier! I have been dependent on opiates... Opana ER & Percocet for the last 4 1/2yrs. The problem was, was that I was no longer getting ANY pain relief from either drug! I basically begged my doc to send me to a pain specialist, so he finally gave in & referred me! The pain specialist came up with Suboxone... but instead of doing it on my own I was admitted to a regular hospital for 6days & went through a medical detox! I tell the truth when I say it wasnt easy! I was given a dilaudid pump for the first 24hrs & when that was over it was taken away & was not given the Suboxone(shot form) until I started to go through withdrawl(no earlier than 6hrs)...
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leg cramping/pain/aching plus nausea & vomiting! As soon as I felt nauseated & an increase in pain I was able to start the Suboxone! For most the first shot begins to take effect & the DT's slowly go away! Not for me though... it took the 5th shot for it to start working but thats because the drug Opana I was taking was so strong it had completely taken over my whole body!!! (If you are ever prescribed it I beg you NOT to accept it!!) I know this is just the begining for me and have a long road ahead but I am so thankful to be off the opiates & have a little more pain relief!! I am so thankful God helped me through this because I truely believe if it wasnt for him I would not have made it!!! I pray that everyone will be successfull detoxing, just dont forget to have a pain specialist on board before trying to do anything on your own!
U r so true. I have been on it for 4 yrs an d I have prolonged it because it works for me. It stops my cravings and I feel normal. Of course everyone tells me the withdraw will be so little in my head I don't even want to go threw that ... I've been threw enough withdraws... I do have horrible anexity so I'm doing both and for now its working for me... Just wanted to let ya bk I'm here going threw the same.
I have been taking xanax approx 4 mg every nite for my sleep/anxiety disorder but have recently within the last year, became addicted to opiate pain meds. I am going to be starting a suboxone tx tomorrow and am deathly afraid of what might happen. I cannot handle anymore withdrawl sx and i realize that i cannot just stop taking my xanax or i will have seizures. is this possible to continue my xanax use (or at least taper it down) while starting this new tx for opiate addiction. Im desperate to get off the opiates but not yet prepared to completely go off my xanax yet. any suggestions would be helpful especially from a doctor with a degree in substance abuse addiction. I currently have no medical insurance so i am not under any care of a doctor to monitor me however, i just recently began seeing a psycholigist who prescribed me the suboxone (to be taken sub-ligually half of an 8mg tablet twice daily.
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is this enough and the proper way to do this (my psychologist is a very expensive out of my pocket visit and hes not as helpful as i thought he was going to be. ) Any comments or suggestions would be helpful... thanks opiate/xanax user
Suboxone works wonders! I've been on it for a year and a half, however, I wish that I had just take a fourth a day to ease the withdraws from OxyContin. I was spending $120.00 a day at minimum on the drup but am now more addicted to suboxone. My advice to anyone wanting to get on "subs" is to go to the dr once and take 1/4 of an 8/2 mg of bupronorphine and naloxone to wing yourself off. Because suboxone withdraws are aweful. When you get off you experience extreme fatigue for over 2 weeks and it's almost as bad as withdrawing from OxyContin. To save you guys time and money, even though I am NOT a dr, please PLEASE, take a fourth a day for a week, a fourth a day every other day for a week, a fourth every three days the third week, and so on, and so forth. Hope I can atleast get to one person through this!
Ive been reading all the post and coments, I myself have been on suboxone for 4 years now, I take 8mg strips 2x daily, there have been events when I have run out a day early before I can get my new script from my addiction speciallist, and I can honestly say that withdrawals from suboxone if a walk in the park compared to coming off of pain pills and benzos. However, as far as taking suboxone and xanax together, I would strongly advise against this, I took 1 blue xanax while on my suboxone without even thinking, 12 hours later I woke up in the ER on a ventilator in full respritory failure simply by taking 1 pill. So all I can say is be careful. Make sure your Dr. is aware of all medications you take, Just be safe and dont die'
I most defeniatly agree this medication has benn an amazing help for me.i have heard it is very dangerous to mix these drugs and i personalyy know of ppl who have overdosed from combining the two medications. Both drugs are addicting and need to be administered by a physician who has knowledge in the area of addiction.
it depends on how long u have been on it. if u are switching to suboxone, ur doctor first will give u 5 pills, which u sit in their office while taking it, then they write u out a different script for the real stuff. Its very cost worthy, and if u are on like public aid or have personal insurance , some wont pay for it. public aid for instance ur doctor has to fill out papers for a 4 month program, ( they approve it for 4 months, and will pay for it only for 4 months. ) tip- getting off it only should be for 1 month, xanax does cause withdraw as well. u get anxiety attacks alot. If u go to groups ( ask your doctor about it that gives the suboxine) they have no choice but to suggest it anyways. and it helps talking out your problems while getting off xanax. all meds are different. i heard people would go to t he hospital, and be sudated for a few days which is like 5-7 days so they dont have to go t hrough the withdraw from oc's/. its a horrible drug.
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You need support, family friends, and support from drug abuse groups. even though u havent abused the drugs, they still help. I am living proof of getting off the oc's while i have to be in pain for the rest of my life, bc i have artiritis and i was currently in a car accident that causes massive muscle spasems and have to go to pain management for it. i refuse to go back to opiot pain kills! because whats the word again PAIN KILLERS! KILLER IS THE KEY WORD! and like i said, people on it , if t hey cant get it or enough they will go to herion alone... which is bad. because my brother was on herion for about 5 years. he went cold turkey which i give him mad props because i couldnt get off oc's w ith out suboxone. read the history on suboxone as well. It orginally was for pain. it has pain meds in it, opiots, but if u try taking opiots while on it, you get sick. and it wont work. its like a blocker, on ur brain and will not work if u try to take both. I only hear this from the doctor that prescriped me the meds. Hes against all medications but helps people get off opiots, but mine for some reason likes to keep people off. I went off it after awhile because i didnt need it. Like i said. i would rather have back pain then be on drugs. but i do take xanax due to massive aniety and verbal abuse from my husband, and things going on with family. I will soon ween myself off.and yes, u can ween urself off just like u said..sorry for talking so much! just trying to educate people, because i wish these drugs were never invented and we never have to have anxiety/ depression, pain... god bless..
methadone is way worse then suboxone.. methadone is a killer if taken the wrong way. and yes, ur doctor needs to monitor u while on it. indeed becareful. god loves u!