Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder User Reviews (Page 4)

• Anonymous
• March 28, 2008

"I have been addicted to opiates for 2 years. I can say if I didn't have at least 120mg of oxy a day, I couldn't function properly. It got to the point I'm losing everything I have one by one & I realized it's time to stop. This past Monday I started the Suboxone treatment. I'm so relieved to get help and I feel much better each day. I do know, it's up to me now not to use, and I don't have any cravings since I started my treatment. I promise to make this work and will stick with my promise."

• Tre...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 9, 2014

"If you have an opiate addiction, this medicine is the way to go! I tried rehabs, meetings, everything! Suboxone is the only thing that kept me clean. It takes away the desire to use, which is a miracle. I have no regrets by choosing the Suboxone program. It saved my life."

• Cha...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 19, 2020

"I recall the beginning, when I foolishly became addicted to pain relievers-and I mean ignorantly. Don't get me wrong-I loved the feeling, I just didn't know that they were physically addicting. After about 8 months of pain relievers, I heard about Suboxone. It was great! Now, speed ahead 13 years later, it sucks. I imagine that since I've been on this for so long, it's likely I'll stay on it for life. God forbid I lose my insurance! But what I really want to say-what makes this really bad, is that now I'm on a generic version and it is GARBAGE! Made by 'Alvogen', it is NOTHING like the name brand Suboxone. I'm in pain, I feel lousy, sluggish, and it is making my life hell. My next appointment is in two weeks and I'm going to complain. Only thing is-I've heard Suboxone is off the market now. If so, I guess I'm screwed either way... :("

• Aud...
• February 7, 2016

"Suboxone saved my life and sanity. I also had health issues and received heavy doses of opiates and became a full-blown addict. I don't know how many times I overdosed on medication. Twenty years of addiction, I don't know how I survived, but by the grace of God. I started Suboxone in 2005. It saved my life! I have a good life, I have an awesome life now. This medication not only helps with pain, but it took away any desire to drink! I have not drank since 2007! One reason I started with the pills was to get alcohol under control! I still take Suboxone. I really feel they need to make this free for anyone who has an addiction. After all, these drug companies have made $$$. I am so very grateful that I am able to have this."

• Bob...
• July 21, 2016

"Getting onto Suboxone was the best decision I've made for a long time. A lot of people don't like it because it doesn't get you really high after about 7 days of being on it. Suboxone is there for people that genuinely want to get off the skag. If you're not one of these people, then get on the methadone and stop badmouthing Suboxone. It's saved my life and a lot of money, instead of thousands of dollars a month, I only pay 60 now. Take care, all."

• Pet...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 23, 2019

"I will start by saying this: This medication is saving my life! I'm only 21 years old, and I have been taking all classes of drugs, including heroin, since I was 14. I overdosed a few months ago, and I nearly killed myself that day. Since then, I promised myself to be sober, and my doctor prescribed me this medication. For the first time in my life, I can say to you guys, this is the only way out of drug addiction. You feel so normal that it will scare you (in a good way). I can finally feel like a normal person and do simple things that I hadn't been able to do before starting this treatment. Trust me, if you can't quit the drugs, give this medication a try, it will save your entire life."

• Anonymous
• March 2, 2008

"I had a 7-year addiction to Norco (Vicodin) following extensive surgery in 2001. I bit the bullet and took Suboxone at the end of December last. It worked like a miracle. I quit the Norco. But little did I know that it is also addictive, and now I am hooked on the Suboxone. My doc, who had no qualms about giving me Norco, now won't renew my Suboxone scrip. I have about 2 weeks of pills left. I only take one pill a day. I am attempting to wean myself off this drug, but it is very hard."

• cur...
• August 7, 2007

"This is the fifth day my husband has been on Suboxone. My husband was on methadone for 4 years. I thought opiates were bad, this methadone is bad news. I am glad there was Suboxone to help him. He wouldn't have made it this far just quitting cold turkey off methadone."

• Lif...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 31, 2019

"I was addicted for 6 years. Suboxone saved my life. I've had nearly every single kind of sub out there, nothing compares to the original Sub. The generics do work for shorter time frames. I read that others believe it's a mental thing, but it's not fully. I won't even be thinking about it and asleep and slowly start feeling the sweats and stretches after a few hours. They come out of nowhere! So while they're cheaper than the name brand, you end up spending the same or more because you're taking twice as many. Based on what we know about RX corps and their greedy and shady (thanks to the Sackler family for the major issues with opiates!), it wouldn't surprise me if the bioavailability in the generics wasn't as high, or so high that most bodies metabolize them quicker. I have no problem taking another medication for the rest of my life if it keeps me sober. I know it stinks, but it's better than the alternative, and no one wants to be on RXes forever, but sadly, many people are anyways (insulin, antidepressants, etc.). Yet Suboxone is 'taboo?'"

• Ske...
• September 6, 2016

"I don't know if this is hurting my kidneys. I don't know if it will be extremely hard to get off of it. I do know that I would be dead without Suboxone. I lied, stole money... anything to not have withdrawals. I didn't have much hope for Suboxone. I thought it would be like a patch when you try to quit smoking (helps but doesn't do the trick). Day one... immediately... I felt no withdrawal symptoms whatsoever. I was ecstatic! If you are on drugs... you must do this now! I was skeptical, but this is the best choice I've made in my life. Suboxone gave me my life back. No exaggeration."

• sha...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 6, 2013

"I'm a 41-year-old female whose opiate addiction lasted 8 years. I had multiple surgeries, broken bones that always required some sort of pain meds. I always took as directed until the dosage wasn't helping, so I'd take more pills or ask for stronger pain pills just to ease the pain. I was taking 15 Lortabs 10mg a day, and if I didn't have any, I couldn't get up out of bed. So when I eventually was taken off my pain pills, I explained the symptoms I have when I don't take the pain pills. He explained I was having opioid withdrawals. I was so shocked. I felt awful. I didn't take pain meds for the thrill. So why me? I now only take Suboxone 8mg 2-3x daily. Results are instant! 1 year now, no problems. Miracle and truly a blessing. I feel normal again!"

• Jos...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 24, 2019

"I've been taking pills for 15 years. Then, of course, heroin was cheaper and easier to get, so guess what, I did heroin for 3 years, lost everything. I've tried quitting, buying friends Suboxone, but still ended up relapsing. Then, finally found a treatment center and was prescribed Zubsolv. I freaking love it! 60 days clean. I was offered heroin yesterday at work and just laughed. Saves my life!!!!!"

• Ran...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 23, 2014

"This medication saved my life! After 6 yrs of major oxy addiction, I went into detox scared to death! I was sedated for three days, then transferred to Subs! Man, what a difference, I felt like a new man. Started at 12mg a day and gradually tapered off over a 4-month period! I had a doctor in Seattle who put me on Clonidine, a high blood pressure med! This takes away almost all withdrawal symptoms! 5 months off everything, and I have my life back!! If it wasn't for the doctor and these meds, I'd be in a box by now! God Bless!"

• 4ev...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 27, 2015

"I am 32 years old, and opiates have been a battle since my teenage years. Back in the '90s, I would get the 5 mg Percocets or 5 mg methadone and would love that feeling. Eventually, that led me to OxyContin 80s, which led to jail, which led to heroin, which led to overdoses, which led to hell and back! Over the last 15 years, I have battled with opiates and have consistently lost! But Suboxone has been a lifesaver for me; finally, a drug that eliminates my urges, my cravings, my EVERYTHING! Methadone never did it for me, but Suboxone has always helped and continues to help; I owe this drug my life because without it, I would be lost. It's not for everyone, but it sure does help many of us who suffered from opiate addiction and is a great tool to get life started!"

• Sto...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 22, 2020

"It is sure a wonderful drug if nothing else has worked for you. Don't stay on it longer than you have to, or you are just replacing one drug with another. I was on 24 mg the first month, then went down to barely anything in about a year. I'm on day 3 of no Suboxone, and I feel pretty good. I just experience being a little weak and aching pain in my legs when I'm not moving around."

• GRE...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 9, 2016

"I have been taking Suboxone for almost 6 years. Before that, my pain was very severe. I took everything before I picked up pain meds. I am an addict of 29 years, I had to pick up pain meds when nothing else worked for me, got completely addicted. Suboxone has SAVED MY LIFE and helps with my pain. I have never picked up another pain med since then."

• -x-...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 10, 2017

"Suboxone are opiate-based meds, a substitute for heroin and other opioids, and therefore addictive. Besides helping with withdrawal, it also made the cravings go away. Like this, you can put some distance between your addiction years and your new, clean life. Getting off Suboxone is also not easy, but nothing compared to heroin kicking. Doctors are supposed to help you lower your dosage. In the end, I took a quarter of a 2mg/0.5mg pill every day, until one day I felt like not taking it anymore. There is no wonder cure for opiate addiction (duh!), there will always be pain and discomfort, the only thing you can try is to minimize that! After 9 years of heroin and 3.9 years on Suboxone, I finally managed to get off. I definitely recommend it!"

• SDo...
• June 11, 2014

"I have been on Zubsolv for 3 days now because my insurance won't cover Suboxone (which I was on previously for over a year, my insurance company got switched). My doctor told me about Zubsolv, and I gave it a try (and because it's covered through my insurance). I see/feel NO DIFFERENT than from when I was on Suboxone. I personally feel that Zubsolv works better for me. But everyone's body is different. The ONLY thing I DON'T like about Zubsolv is the taste. It is a VERY STRONG MENTHOL TASTE, BUT THE TABLETS DISSOLVE VERY QUICKLY!"

• Ste...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 26, 2019

"Tried both Suboxone generics, the Dr. Reddy and Sandoz generic film. They both worked fine. Dr. Reddy’s seemed to have a different texture but still worked fine. Sandoz brand worked even better. Felt exactly like the name brand, and the film looks the same. Just found out Sandoz are name brand (authorized generic). They are manufactured by Indivior (makers of name brand Suboxone) then re-marketed by Sandoz. I noticed someone complained on here about the Sandoz brand. I don’t understand how they didn’t work, being they are EXACTLY the SAME as the name brand. Could this be psychological?"

• Twi...
• May 27, 2017

"My personal experience with Suboxone is good so far. I have been on a prescribed Fentanyl patch 25 mcg/48 hrs. I have dropped to this dose over the last year. (I also left the old patch on.) I have been on opiates for 12 years, full-time prescribed. At my highest prescription, I was using 180 mg of Oxycodone and 180 mg of morphine per day. I have had several adjustments on medicine, including extended-release doses. Five years ago, I was put on 50 mcg of Fentanyl with 3-10 mg of Oxycodone per day for breakthrough. I started leaving my old patches on to increase my daily dose. This last year, I tapered down to 25 mcg patches for 48 hours (still leaving my old patches on). I went to a doctor that prescribes Suboxone. Lucky for me, my insurance pays for Suboxone. He gave me the 8/2 mg strips. I take half a strip twice a day. I was checking every forum to see how long I needed to wait to start the Suboxone. The replies are all very different. Some say 16 hours, most say 24. Others say 48-36-72 hours. Yikes! How do I keep out of precipitated withdrawals? I already have withdrawals every other day on my patch! So, I removed my patch last night around 5 pm. (I already have my Suboxone script at home.) I started feeling withdrawal symptoms coming on around 11 pm. They didn't get super intense. I checked the COWS scale, as many articles suggested, but only scored mild. I had the stretching of limbs symptom, anxiety, so I took half of a strip, which was the suggested dose. I took it at noon today. That's only 19-20 hours. I was in withdrawals, but not the worst I have ever had. I was scared of the precipitated withdrawals I heard about. Ten to fifteen minutes after I took it, I felt a hot sensation wash over me. I thought I would get those withdrawals, but I took a quick bath, laid down for an hour, and I feel pretty good. It took my withdrawals away. I still have some muscle pain, but not the kind that comes from withdrawals. Suboxone stopped the withdrawals right away. No headaches or sick feeling. Not high, but even my regular dose meds haven't made me high for years. So, if you're guessing on when it's okay to take Suboxone after opiates, and Fentanyl seems to be the highest strength, then I say shoot for 24 hours. If you are not in withdrawals at 24, then wait until you are. If you are in withdrawals before 24 hours, then just wait as long as you can. You will know when it's too bad to wait anymore. You know your body. You can always take half the amount prescribed and see how it reacts if you're afraid of precipitated withdrawals. Trust me, it will stop the withdrawals within a half-hour. I have not gotten the precipitated withdrawals so far. Hope this helps someone. Good luck to you!"

• IfI...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 24, 2016

"You know, nothing in life is perfect, and as addicts, we should know. Suboxone, like any medication, has its ticks. Constipation, sleepiness, that's my side effects. However, would I trade that for the lying, stealing, anxiety, OCD, withdrawal worries, etc.? My answer is NO. Hell NO. I struggled and fought on my own, thinking I could manage my addiction myself for 10 long years. Through two births, my husband's 12 deployments, that was the hardest 10 years of my life. It's nice to know life doesn't have to be that difficult, and that with Suboxone as a tool, not a fix-all thing, I'm gonna make it. Life with Suboxone is much better than life without it. Period. (bought off friends during those 10 years as a detox, but been on maintenance 21 months)"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 23, 2019

"I have been taking one 5.7 Zubsolv for opiate addiction. I took Suboxone years ago without side effects (some constipation). The Zubsolv makes me feel nauseous, which I never experienced with Suboxone. I started taking Zubsolv in February this year. Since then (it is now X-mas Eve), I have lost 55 lbs, and I am not dieting. Can't eat, I have no appetite and constant nausea, to the point of dry heaves. I was having both constipation and diarrhea but without much output. I feel like I have the flu or a stomach virus for the past 10 months. Now I don't know if it is the Zubsolv or something else. I am having a stomach endoscopy next month. No narcs... putting me to sleep. Am I wasting my time and money, or has anyone else experienced huge weight loss, constant nausea, some vomiting, and diarrhea, and feeling overall malaise?"

• Ker...
• March 8, 2014

"I just started this a few days ago. I'm an executive professional, rose in corporate ranks, made great money, and enjoyed a ridiculous life. After being way over-prescribed oxycodone after a relatively minor injury in my mid 30's, fast forward 3 years and my arrogance in thinking I could control this along with everything else made me blind to a growing addiction that was anything but controlled. I was able to keep my girlfriend, my kids, my job, and still provide them with a decent home. So, I consider myself very lucky to be on the verge of bankruptcy as many have lost much more. I say this to let anyone know who is considering Suboxone, but too ashamed or worried, to DO IT TODAY. It truly works."

• sub...
• February 5, 2014

"I was an addict for 10 years, and Suboxone saved my life. My family's lives were also positively impacted. I have been totally clean for over 3 years, it's a miracle. It's impossible to quit without it, but easy to quit with it. I was as bad as it gets. If you are thinking of getting on Suboxone, do it. Just do it. Life is so good when you are not forced to chase pills."

• Ear...
• June 27, 2019

"Suboxone is a crazy drug. I raced pro motocross and got introduced to pills because of being in the hospital a lot. Lol, anyway, I was taking around ten 30 mg percs a day for a little over a year. Well, I got on Suboxone from a doc. He told me I'd be on it for the rest of my life. (Don't do that.) The transition from pills to Suboxone was a breeze. Slept a lot for three days, and then I felt like I had my life back. (Wrong.) Four years on Suboxone. All I did was sleep those four years and couldn't keep any relationships. I was taking anywhere from 8 to 16 mg of Suboxone a day. I cold turkeyed off 8 to 16 mg of the strips because I was tired of sleeping all day. Luckily I am self-employed because I would have lost my job. I'm on day 26 and am still having diarrhea, very little energy, but I feel like I have my head back finally. Not saying there's no depression or anxiety, but I already feel better in my mind. The first three weeks were the worst and still are. Suboxone should only be used for two weeks to get off pills."