Buprenorphine / naloxone and Constipation: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Bre...
• November 10, 2010

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I was addicted to heroin and saw no way out. I couldn't go a day without using, no matter who I stole from or who I lied to, I just needed my fix. I went to a 5-day detox that the state paid for, and I got Suboxone. Within 30 minutes, I was out of bed, the vomiting stopped, the pain stopped, my anxiety decreased. It truly is a miracle that I can sit here today and have the option to use heroin but choose not to. The only negative side effect I am currently dealing with is constipation."

• kur...
• November 16, 2008

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I have been on Suboxone for almost a year. I was using 80 mg Oxy's for almost 6 months prior to this drug. Suboxone has saved my life, my marriage, my sanity, etc. I do have some side effects, but I am used to them. The side effects are constipation, sweating, and sometimes mild headaches. I also had trouble urinating at first. I am ready to taper the dose. I recommend this medicine to all who suffer with opiate dependence like I do. It truly helped me get in a program without being 'dope sick' first, and it helps with cravings. Good luck to all."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 28, 2019

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I have been on Zubs for about a year. I was on subs the year before that while living in Buffalo. When I moved to Rochester, I got switched to Zubs because the subs were not showing good numbers in my system, meaning it wasn't dissolving correctly and doing what it's supposed to. My insurance didn't cover Zubs, so my new doctor told them subs weren't working blah blah blah, and I ended up getting covered for them. I am constipated every day, and it's very hard to poo, so I have to drink Miralax every other day, which I ALWAYS FORGET TO DO. So that's my own fault. Overall, everything is fine, no drugs for 2 years now besides my Zubs. I make about $15 to $25 an hour depending on what position I'm working at my job. And I'm a trainer. Zubs saved my life. They work if you don't abuse them."

• Rat...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 26, 2023

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "Pros: Excellent step down from long-acting opioids. If you have been using and you switch to this, you will not experience any unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, but it is the lesser of two evils. Do not fool yourself. This is still a narcotic, and it is powerful. Cons: Difficulty urinating, constipation, and sweating. I have recently begun tapering down and have experienced some negative side effects. It takes time for your body to adjust to the step down, and you will feel at times like you will faint. In short, it is excellent for getting off stronger opioids, but it is still addictive. If you try to come off junk cold turkey, it will be a horrible experience. Zubsolv is supposedly a state-of-the-art medication. It is very expensive, which if not covered by insurance, will cost a lot of money. It has served its purpose as I have been able to work two jobs, six days a week."

• Jos...
• March 14, 2017

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I've been on subs off and on for years. My insurance recently made me switch to Zubsolv, and it SUCKS!! I feel like I'm in withdrawal most of the day. It has some good effects, it dissolves quicker and I'm not as constipated, but as far as being better than subs, no way. I feel like I'm constantly craving one all day almost, and if you don't take it at the same time every day, you're sick as hell until you do...."

• Lin...
• June 19, 2016

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I was put on Bunavail because of the constipation I was having on the Bup's. I used to take 2 mg twice a day... my doc told me how great this new Bunavail is, yada yada. The first two days of it, I was going through WD's! My moods were awful, I was clammy but hot, sweating, chills, no appetite. So my doc tells me to double my dosage, and finally, I feel better... no more WD's, but my gosh... the mood swings... I'm like a crazy woman on her period, ready to snap on the next person that irritates me. That's NOT like me, I'm always rainbows and butterflies, and I hate this. While the constipation has gotten better, it's still there. I'd rather have to take laxatives than deal with these mood swings. I'll give it another month until my next appointment."

• Fee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 8, 2021

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I am on 12 mgs of Suboxone and have been for almost 3 months. While I'm so thankful to be off of painkillers, I have lost over 50 pounds. I constantly feel sick with nausea even though they have me on a nausea pill as well (I did buy some Ensures a week ago to at least get vitamins and nutrients in me). Another big problem I'm having is constant constipation, which may be causing the nausea. The doctor has put me on 3 different constipation meds, and still no luck. The doctor suggested I do an enema, and I was finally able to use the bathroom, but I don't feel like it completely emptied me out. I mean, I'm lucky to be able to go once a week, and only if I give myself an enema. I was never even constipated this much on pain pills. I have my next appointment in a few days and am contemplating asking my doctor to wean me off the Suboxone. I have researched a lot on the internet to see if anyone else experienced these problems on Subs and wasn't able to find much information. Has anyone else had these problems?"

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 7, 2022

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I was taking Suboxone for about 6 months, dealing with the horrid taste and precipitated withdrawal. I truly didn't like it, but then I heard of Zubsolv tasting better and dissolving quicker. And it truly works. I'm a heroin addict/fentanyl, but Zubsolv truly saved my life! I highly recommend it. Only minor constipation with it, but manageable."

• Lu-...
• June 10, 2011

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I have found that taking this medicine for 3 years has helped me move mountains to help myself. I do experience very few side effects. Constipation is the only side effect I experience on a regular basis, and with that said, I would much rather deal with a little constipation than still be buying pills off the street and being unhealthy. I have recommended it to every person I know with drug addiction. The few that were ready to stop have also sung its praises to me and anyone they recommended it to. Even with the word of mouth, it has helped so many people in my community."

• JD1...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 1, 2021

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "Best drug ever invented, no cravings for painkillers, no more constipation. I take one strip a day for 5 years now and I will not come off them. I don't drink or smoke, just had blood work. The Suboxone is not affecting any of my organs. I go to work not worrying when and how I can get my next pill so I don't get sick. I'll be on this drug till death. Literally saved my life."

• Mag...
• May 28, 2018

For Opioid Use Disorder "I have pain due to back nerve removal and two knee replacements. I was prescribed Suboxone because I went to dual mental health and drug rehab. I did not have any drug problems, I was on prescribed opiate medications due to injuries and surgery from an accident. I was diagnosed with major depression. The doctors changed me to Suboxone, the depression was successfully treated, but Suboxone has been the worst drug I have ever been on. It helped with pain for the first six months. The side effects have been horrible. I am swollen, have back and side pain, burning mouth, constipation, nausea, among others. I had two back surgeries the year the depression started, a right knee replacement three years before, and will have a left knee replacement this month. What they do not tell you is you cannot have surgery on Suboxone with naloxone because it stops pain medication from working."

• baa...
• April 15, 2017

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I hate this stuff. Once over withdrawals, may as well be off it. Still crave narcotics every day, and if I was able to get Vicodin, wouldn't be on this stuff. Now I'm fat, constipated, zero energy, and miserable. About to cry every day. Can't afford therapy, and NA doesn't want anyone on this stuff since it's not considered clean."

• Fee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 7, 2015

For Opioid Use Disorder "Works very well if used as directed. Tabs are better for me because strips killed my tongue. You will get severe constipation, so take 2-3 docusate sodium per day - it is a stool softener and also a mild laxative. Once I got these two issues worked out, I've been very happy with this. Will save you if you want it to!"

• Car...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 23, 2025

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I'm responding to the complaints about constipation. Suboxone doesn't seem as constipating as methadone was (2 weeks no poop!), but a healthy gut is important to overall health. I've been through every conceivable laxative you can think of during my lifelong addiction. I can't prescribe to others, but I can tell you what works for me. My friend, who is a doctor specializing in addictions, told me it wasn't more roughage I needed, it was more bulk. She recommended Metamucil. I was skeptical, but she never steered me wrong. I decided to go with plain uncolored, unflavored psyllium husk. It's not fast working, but when it works, everything is easy and normal. You just have to take it every day as directed. If you can't wait and are desperate, go ahead and take something fast-acting and then start your daily regimen. And thank me later. Oh, and use a Squatty Potty. I've never had such easy and normal bowel movements. That great and complete empty feeling!"

• Hon...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 16, 2021

For Opioid Use Disorder "I’ve been on this drug for 8 LONG years and have desperately wanted to quit for more than half that time. A while back, I got so tired of having no energy, feeling numb and stupid (it literally turns you into a walking zombie, only artificial happiness and emotions), constipation, poor vision and reflexes, no motivation that I quit off 16 mg cold turkey. I found a video on YouTube about mega dosing vitamin C, and it helped a lot, but I sabotaged myself. If you get on this stuff, do it for a week. PLEASE don’t get hooked on it. I am a believer, and I can physically feel a wall between God and me in my mind. I barely know who I am anymore, but I know with God’s help I WILL get FREE!!!"

• phi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 27, 2013

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "Taking 8 mg Suboxone a day... a lifesaver! Negatives for me are constipation and a ridiculous amount of saliva buildup in my mouth 5 to 10 minutes after I place it under my tongue."