Buprenorphine / naloxone and Sick: What Users Say

• Jly...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 7, 2019

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "Well Suboxone sure gave me my life back, however, with that being said, I've been on it for 18 and a half months. This is my second time coming off it. I feel ready. The problem is I was not told by anybody that runs the program that it is absolutely worse coming off than the drugs you were doing to begin with. The withdrawals are beyond horrible, and after 2 and a half weeks, I was still sick. I just firmly believe as an addict going for help, and the rest of us have a right to know all the information, instead, I feel misled, deceived, and lied to. But I'll make it, and so will all of you. Wish everybody the best of luck."

• Tj7...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 27, 2020

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "To everyone who was forcibly made to take generic Suboxone, depending on what insurance you have, there is or could be what's called a tier reduction. If you have that, your doctor can write that you can't take generics because (insert your symptoms here) and submit it. They (insurance) will review it, and if you get approved, you will be able to get name brand again. I warn you, you will have to jump through many hoops, for example, I had to take two other generics first to prove I couldn't be on anything else but name brand, but it's worth it as the alternative for me would have been back to using because all the generics I tried were not doing anything but making me sick and wanting to use (after six years of not). Again, it depends on your insurance company, but I hope this gives you some kind of hope and knowledge that you might not be stuck with generic forever."

• Twi...
• May 27, 2017

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "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!"

• JJa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 27, 2019

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "The name brand Suboxone works the best for me. I've been on 3 of the generic tablets and they worked just about the same, slight difference in the strength I would say. But the generic Dr. Reddy's films made me so ill. After two days, I felt like I was in full-blown withdrawals. Maybe I'm allergic to some of the fillers in it. Whatever the case, my doctor wrote me a new prescription for brand only. I felt a 180-degree change in me after one dose. I was on day 4 of the Dr. Reddy's and felt like I hadn't had any relief in those 4 days. Been on subs for a year and a half. I may go back to the tablets because the brand name subs are very expensive when paying out of pocket. I didn't care this time though, I felt so awful, I had to miss two days of work, I couldn't get out of bed. 100% something wrong with that manufacturer for me. Just use caution with those. Wish y'all the best."

• Jay...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 30, 2020

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "Ever since the generic buprenorphine/naloxone came out, I've noticed on the brand they have been weaker than normal. Not realizing, one day I put the strip up to the light and saw the medication dropped on the strip. There used to be a bunch of drops on it, now I only see like 8-10, maybe if I'm lucky. No wonder why I've been ill lately. Generics make me sick and don't work, but don't mess with something that isn't broken. Agh, damn government."

• You...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2017

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I was hooked on opiates for 10 years! Mostly snorting oxy and perks for the first 7 to 8 years, and the last 2 years I was introduced to morphine H and hydromorphone, as well as the needle. Although I was a mess all these years, it wasn't until I tried the needle that opened my eyes to my addiction. I went downhill fast. I tried everything, but there was no stopping this. I tried cold turkey to quit a few times and almost went crazy and died from sickness. The sickness I started to feel from the needle was way worse than it ever was sniffing. I knew I had to get off, but I tried methadone before, and it didn't help me, it made me feel the exact opposite of how suboxone makes me feel. Subs = energy, happy, stable, no urges, not stoned."

• Pis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 11, 2019

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "The new generic buprenorphine and naloxone is horrible, and they don't even work. I've been on Suboxone for almost 2 years with not one issue until now. These new Sandoz buprenorphine/naloxone strips need to be put back on the shelf. Ever since they switched me to them, I've been sick. They don't even last 8 hours, where the other subs last over 24 hours. I called my doctor, and she is having me come in and get the other subs back. So if they offer these new ones, do not take them because they are worthless. I hope to never take them again. I can't believe they allow this garbage out for people. So please beware of the Sandoz Suboxone strips. DO NOT TAKE THEM. I'VE BEEN SICK EVER SINCE I STARTED THEM. PURE TRASH, AND THIS PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY NEEDS TO BE SUED FOR THESE FAKES."

• rob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 14, 2020

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I stopped taking 130 mg of methadone and took Suboxone too soon. Got sick like an animal, this was 4 days in. Then I got on the Suboxone, and it slowly worked, not 100% at first, but 3 days on it, and I am good. Still do not have all my strength, but I am eating and sleeping. There is no difference in generic or brand, it is all in the mind. Good luck, folks, I am going to keep taking and get normal."

• VEN...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2021

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I started Suboxone approximately 7 days ago, and what a horror this drug has been for me! I feel awfulness creeping up inside me. I’ve been opiate-dependent (Norcos) for 11 years. I’d rather kick my Rx painkillers cold turkey than go through this very sick feeling. It’s definitely not for me!"

• Nan...
• November 11, 2018

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I am and always will be in recovery from addiction to heroin, Xanax, meth, and pain pills. I've also been addicted to and went to rehab for Suboxone. I've been an addict since I'm 19, now 31, on and off Suboxone programs. I absolutely hate Suboxone, and I'm currently on it. It makes me tired, lazy both physically and mentally, anxious more than usual. I was clean for 8 months in a halfway house and begged to get back on the program. I regret that after multiple detoxes off Suboxone, the most horrific detox that I still went back on realistically as a crutch. I'm in addiction all over again but from a drug that's 'made to help you get clean.' Well, I'm not clean. I have to, on a daily basis, take a medication to 'feel normal.' People say it's better than shooting up, why? People shoot up Suboxone. It's better than pain pills, why? This is prescribed just as pain pills are. I regret ever taking it longer than 2 weeks. You get sick from not taking it, and it makes me feel horrible."

• 659...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 8, 2019

For Opioid Use Disorder "I've been a Suboxone patient for 9-10 years. In the beginning, it was life-saving. Recently, numerous generic formulations have left me sick. I recognize withdrawal symptoms, and that's what happens off and on. Being on my way to 65 years old, I can't do this. I'm also puzzled why I had to really dig to find any criticism of the new generics, and that reeks of manipulation."

• Mik...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 7, 2019

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "Been clean 8 years, but before this, I was on Methadone for a few years, and I had to quit 90 mg cold turkey due to work. I was sick for 3 months, but that was when I was 31. I messed up for a little while, then the Suboxone came into my life. Now, 8 years later, I feel better than I ever had."

• Sad...
• June 19, 2019

For Opioid Use Disorder "Do not take Dr. Reddy's, it's a scam, and now my insurance won't cover my regular Suboxone brand. This needs to be taken off the market, it just made me sick. After 4 years of being on Suboxone, I am now feeling sick and wanting to use again for the first time since I stopped. Tell your doctors to refuse this brand. It doesn't work. It tastes even worse than usual, and I am only on 4 mg of Suboxone, I need to take extra with this one, and I'm going to run out faster. I called my doctor and left a message. I was too sick to go into work today, and I can't do that for an entire month. I hope when he calls back, he can find a way to make sure I can get back on my regular subs. I'm so scared of screwing up again, and I've never felt this way. Just a few days ago, everything was fine."

• ano...
• August 19, 2008

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "This drug saved my life. If taken as prescribed, it will help you with your opiate dependency. You will not feel withdrawal symptoms, and you will soon find yourself losing the desire to use illegal drugs. I was a heroin user for 15 years, until my doctor recommended this drug along with a 12-step program. My life has changed for the better. I recommend this as a last resort. If you have tried every other option to get off opiates and failed, you have nothing to lose. If you try to abuse Suboxone, you will get sick. Again, this medicine saved my life."

• ric...
• May 22, 2019

For Opioid Use Disorder "I have been on Suboxone for 9 years. This medication saved my life and allowed me to be a father and good person again. Recently they switched to generic, company name Sandoz. It's horrible, I have been walking the withdrawal line since the second day, which is only because the Suboxone took that long to leave my system. I encourage everyone to please call the FDA and report this. I feel horrible, and it's never-ending! I am working with my doctor to find a solution to this, but I'm at a loss! I have had the mg dose raised from 16 to 20, but it does nothing! This is not the same medication under a different name, I have no idea what this stuff is. It may have a small amount of active medication, but not what it should, or the delivery system doesn't work. I'm no doctor, but it doesn't work. I was at a point in my life where I wanted to start weaning myself off of Suboxone, but now I'm on a higher dose, and that doesn't even work, and I'm still sick! Starting to fear relapse!"

• Cle...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 19, 2019

For Opioid Use Disorder "I've been on the name brand Suboxone for six years due to quitting prescription pain pills for my neck. I have degenerative disc disease and bulging discs in my neck. The Suboxone was a lifesaver. It immediately stopped all of the withdrawal symptoms, and I was able to function normally again. I don't have insurance right now, and to fill the Suboxone strips is almost $1000.00 and is so expensive. The pharmacy told me there is a generic version that has all of the same stuff in it as the name brand. So I tried it, and it did not work and was not the same at all! I felt sick as if I didn't take anything at all. The generic strips had a very strong sour taste to them. It felt like it was dunked in some kind of sour coating and no medicine was in it. I tried it for three or four days, and I got a bad stomach ache, felt dizzy, and exhausted. It was nothing like the name brand at all. I hated feeling that way and had to tell my doctor that it's not working and it's making me sick."

• Emm...
• April 2, 2019

For Opioid Use Disorder "So the regular subs are great, no problem, but once I switched to generic, I was so sick! I couldn’t eat anything or else it would come back up. I had to switch back to regular subs because the reaction was so bad! Take generic off the market!"

• Chr...
• November 6, 2014

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I'm an addict, and the first time I took it, it did take away the withdrawal symptoms after about a few days into taking it (8 mg 2 naloxone) tabs once a day. It gave me severe headaches and sometimes made me feel sick. The pros to this medicine are it does keep the withdrawals at bay and is easier to withdraw from than methadone. The cons are the cost for me, with no insurance, is too high, like $400.00 for a month's supply! I know it works for some, but not for me! 5 out of 10."

• old...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 12, 2025

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I will tell you what the rest won't. If you are strong enough to kick heroin, do it. Because when you're a real drug addict and not just taking some pills and have been around, it's all about the detox. Now H has some harder detox symptoms than subs. Having said that, with H, you count the days till you feel better, typically for a hard user, 2 weeks. Suboxone is miserable. The symptoms actually get worse as time goes by. I was on 3 8-milligram strips a day, then I went to jail. The first month being sick was hell, then came month 2! I could not sleep, trying to eat was horrible. Now the 3rd month was 'better.' The only reason I got off was I got into a fight and broke my arm. I went to the hospital, and when I went back to jail, they gave me 10 mg Vic. For about 2 weeks after that, I felt fine. My warning to you is you will have to detox eventually."

• Jes...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 21, 2019

For Opioid Use Disorder "I have taken Suboxone for years. I was an IV morphine and oxy user. I got to the point of suicide until I discovered Suboxone, it changed my life. I started out using 4 a day, which was way too many, so I went down to two and then one a day. Then the generics came out, and every month a different pill. I went back up to one and a half a day, but it seems that there is less and less active medicine. I used them for years, and if I got held over by my doctor for a week or two, I could always cut down to a half and get by, but not anymore. I take my full dose, and by the end of the day, if I make it through the day, I am sick and hurting. Sometimes they don't work at all, and I feel sick halfway through the day. I am sick and tired of being sick and tired, it is good to see that it's not just me."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 16, 2019

For Opioid Use Disorder "I was on the name brand Suboxone for a little over a year. Things were going great. I had been at 16 mg a day and have been tapering over the past couple of months. I am currently at 10 mg a day. It has been an absolute battle lately to get the real thing and not the crappy Suboxone generic that they're trying to push on everyone. I tried the generic for about three weeks and was so sick, it didn't work, I couldn't get out of bed, was going through withdrawals, and just felt miserable. My doctor's office put on the prescription to dispense as written, but the pharmacy keeps screwing it up. It shouldn't even be legal to give us this junk and pretend like it's the real thing. I'm lucky I haven't relapsed! But I am so worried about other people relapsing after all their hard work. Stay strong, people."

• Gig...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 19, 2019

For Opioid Use Disorder "I have been on Suboxone for 10+ years, and it has saved my life! I am a firm believer in not judging others, so whatever works for someone, great! I haven't had any relapses, and the only bad experience I have had is a few months back when the generic films came out; I got the Sandoz ones, and by the second day I was sick as all get out! My doctor put me on brand only the following month, but today I went to a new drugstore, and they had given me Dr. Reddy's brand; I love them better than the brand name ones! Goes to show everything works different for different people. I see my doctor and counselor each month, but AA and NA is not for me! I recommend anyone with an addiction to drugs check out Subs!"

• Gre...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 4, 2022

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "For me, this medication has been a godsend. I was on high doses of opiate-based prescription narcotics, such as the 32 mg extended-release hydromorphone three times daily, plus OxyContin instant release 30 mg six times a day for breakthrough pain, for almost a decade and still could not get relief from pain due to spinal damage. My doctor ceased all other medications and prescribed Suboxone to ease the withdrawal from the narcotics. After taking my first dosage, I was terribly sick because I still had opiates in my system. Don't repeat my mistake on that one! But after the first day, I felt better and gradually continued to improve. Somehow, not only did this medication stop any effects from withdrawal, but it also provided me with the first pain relief I had experienced in years. The pain is gone, the very real unpleasant anxiety you get when you know your last pain pill is wearing off is long gone, and 8 years later, I continue to do well on Suboxone. Try it and get your life back!"

• Ald...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 18, 2019

For Opioid Use Disorder "On brand name Suboxone for ten years. I tried the generic Suboxone once and was terribly sick, it doesn't work! Luckily, my Medicaid will only pay for the brand name. For some reason, I would think they’d rather pay for the generic, but for now, I’m very lucky I get brand names."

• Raw...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 25, 2023

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "So it's great to hear everyone being able to swap so easily, but I've been on subs for over 15 years, they saved my life. Then insurance changes have forced me to go back to Zubsolv again, and in less than a week, I had dilated pupils, couldn't sleep, all the typical withdrawal symptoms. I went from 1 and a half 8 mg strips a day to the supposedly equivalent 5.7 Zubs. So my doctor was like, listen, their whole thing is a marketing ploy to be able to sell the meds cheaper. He swapped me to the 8.2s, and I finally felt the same again. So maybe I have a crazy fast metabolism or something, but I can tell you I've had to do this twice, and both times had to be bumped up to the Zub mgs closer to the 8 mg strips, and that worked for me. Regardless of what the internet tells you, they do not have any different bioavailability than the strips, that's nonsense. Otherwise, I wouldn't get this sick every time I've been forced to switch."