Buprenorphine / naloxone and Withdrawal: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Anonymous
• March 16, 2009

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I was on the highway to ruin. I was extremely addicted to OxyContin. My source was 'gone' one day. I was in hell with the withdrawal symptoms. I got a prescription for Suboxone. Then, after a few hours, the withdrawal subsided. I proceeded to feel better and better. I'm now almost completely off of Suboxone and reducing it steadily. I am telling you, people, that I beat a brick wall of withdrawal by a few hours. I went on to have a great weekend with my wife out of town without ever having to worry about running around to find more OxyContin. Look up Senator Orrin Hatch and his great work to legalize Suboxone. It is a true wonder."

• 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."

• Bea...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 8, 2019

For Opioid Use Disorder "I've been on Suboxone for a little over 10 years. I finally began tapering down and am down to about 2 mg of (real Suboxone strips) a day. Last month, the pharmacy decided to give me the generic Dr. Reddy's strips. The pharmacist said they were exactly the same, just cheaper. Dr. Reddy's strips are definitely not exactly the same. After about a day and a half, I started getting withdrawal symptoms. I had to start taking more than usual to get back to normal. It wasn't super horrible, but it wasn't something I was expecting, considering the assurance by the pharmacist. A few days ago, I saw my doctor again, and he was pretty upset that the pharmacy is trying to unload the generic brands on us. He just wrote a note on my prescription that I was to only receive name brand Suboxone for medical reasons. As somebody who's trying to taper down, a consistent dose of medicine is all I want, and Dr. Reddy's did not provide that."

• Dre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 4, 2019

For Opioid Use Disorder "Ok, so I've read all of the comments, and a few seem to swear the Sandoz strips are the exact same as the regular Suboxone strips. I disagree. I've taken subs off and on for prob 10 years. And I've been off of them for maybe a week or two, scraping up a pill or two here and there until I find more. Well, needless to say, I woke up today feeling pretty bad. I got 30 Sandoz 8mg/2mg around lunch, and after taking 2 or 3, I still feel like I'm in withdrawal. Not major. But one whole strip should rock my world, seeing as I haven't had any in weeks. And 3 strips later, here I am... smh. So explain to me how they are exactly the same, if not stronger (as some say)? I'm 37 years old and have been in this hell since I was in my teens. If it was the same as the regular strips, I wouldn't be typing this."

• Dta...
• November 2, 2009

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I was on OxyContin, Methadone, cocaine. NOT ALL AT ONCE. It started with Percocets, Vicodin. Then I started trying OxyContin, then when I was coming down from Oxys, I would binge on coke for days to relieve the depression and sluggishness from not having oxy. Then a friend gave me a Suboxone. And I got a script and help for my addiction. I've been on the Suboxone program for a little over a year. I have lapsed a few times but never like before. I'm almost done with this, and I can see a light at the end of this long tunnel finally! Suboxone takes away the physical withdrawal symptoms and blocks your opiate receptors. So if you do use opiates within 24 hrs, it won't let you get as high, and withdrawal symptoms come on stronger and faster. So not advised to use both."

• Nad...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 22, 2021

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I was on Suboxone for 10 years, 3 8mg strips a day, went down to 2 8mg strips. My doctor also gave me Xanax, Adderall, and Prozac after a near-death car accident and a DUI! From my medications, I decided to go to detox. Well, 8 days, and I was off all my meds. Let me tell you! SICK AS A DOG for 2 months! Beware of that Suboxone! NO ONE tells you how BAD the withdrawals are! I'd withdraw any day from Oxycodone than Suboxone! Please all be careful!"

• nak...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 9, 2018

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "This medication was somewhat effective for me. I was maintained on 8 mg a day for 7 years. The critical issue for me, and it was quite critical, was the fact that it never ameliorated my cravings. This ultimately led to major compliance issues. Further, in my seventh year of taking this med, I developed severe panic attacks, which led to my discontinuation. Incidentally, discontinuing this drug involved two weeks of inpatient detox followed by an additional 2 months of persistent withdrawal symptoms. Lastly, stopping this medication has wreaked havoc on my GI system, as I have had IBS symptoms for the past three years."

• col...
• August 8, 2008

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I have been clean since May, and it is a beautiful thing. To think that I was a college student, learning all these things, and the only thing I knew was dope. I mustered up some courage, and after talking to the campus counselor, I called a specialist. After a long night of no sleep and cold sweats, among other nightmarish withdrawal symptoms, I dragged myself to the doctor's office with my loving girlfriend beside me. My life spun 180 degrees that day, and I never looked back."

• Nis...
• March 2, 2017

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I've been taking Suboxone for about 5 years, buying them from a friend. She tends to oversell her extras, and at least a few times per year, I end up in withdrawal when I run out. I finally went to a doctor to get my own script, but since my insurance doesn't cover Suboxone, he put me on Zubsolv. So far, I feel fine. My only issue is the pill form. I was taking 4 mg of Sub a day, half of an 8 mg film. Now I'm taking half of a 5.7 mg Zubsolv tablet, which means cutting the tab in half. I've accidentally crushed half and had to scoop it up and get it under my tongue, which worries me because I'm afraid I'm losing some of it this way. The taste is actually better, like a breath mint. I miss the strips, but I'm keeping an open mind!"

• Anonymous
• May 7, 2009

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I have been on OxyContin and oxycodone for years. Up to 400 mg a day - and that was taken as prescribed. I'm not a drug addict, but unfortunately, medicines of this nature cause physical dependence, and it doesn't matter if you use them as prescribed or not, after prolonged use, the withdrawal is horrific, to say the least. You don't need to be an addict to use Suboxone. Suboxone allows you to detox in a nice, comfortable, and more importantly, a humane way. If you have pain, the pain will not go away. It's not perfect, but it will take care of most of the detox symptoms in a way that you will be able to function. You don't have to go 'cold turkey,' and it's even better than 'tapering off' what you're used to taking. Try Suboxone, it works."

• Mei...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 6, 2019

For Opioid Use Disorder "I have tried a generic buprenorphine with naloxone before, and I don't recall the experience being this bad as it has been on Dr. Reddy's version. For 2 months, I've been on them and have had these other health issues: water retention causing ear infection and pneumonia, horrible headaches from fluid in my head and body. I have had 2 rounds of antibiotics and water pills. I have had lethargy, gained 35 lbs in 2 months. Moved, changed diet, watch symptoms closer. Working out at least every other day. Not getting better. I have noticed disturbing thoughts, depression. I also experienced withdrawal-like symptoms the first few days. I wanted this to work because the Suboxone brand has the monopoly, and the cost is more. I have not seen any other reviews with these symptoms. I might be allergic to an ingredient in it. The head pressure and nausea start an hour after I take it in the morning. It's like my head is filling up like a water balloon. Pointless to take a med that causes you to need three others...."

• CF ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 8, 2017

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I have been on Suboxone for several years, first for addiction to pain pills, now for pain management. I was switched to Zubsolv for insurance reasons, and I was in withdrawals in 3 hours. I don't understand why or how most of these people on here say it works for them, but for me, it has been awful! Why do the drug and insurance companies have to mess with something that is working!"

• blu...
• June 25, 2010

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I was born an addict. I remember drinking at 8 years old. Oh, I would go years staying clean, but on the inside, I was craving drugs every day. I have used almost every drug there is. I have a husband who is in the Army and 4 beautiful kids. I had a serious obsession with pain pills. I would take anything I could get my hands on. I wanted to die, the withdrawals were enough to keep me using to feel normal. I was about to lose everything. Finally, I went to a doctor and was put on Suboxone, that was over two years ago. I am still clean and do believe Suboxone is a miracle pill. Life is still hard, we still have struggles, but Suboxone changed my life. Now I get to enjoy my children. I want to stay clean for them and me."

• Bra...
• April 23, 2009

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I was recently prescribed Suboxone by my neurologist to detox off of OxyContin. I was taking 180 mg of OxyContin daily and struggled with keeping a regulated amount constant throughout the day and had many side effects from the OxyContin. My neurologist prescribed me 8 mg/2 mg tablets full-time for not only detoxing off of the OxyContin but also to treat chronic pain that I deal with daily from damage to discs in my spine from T4 - T11 and L5-S1. On Suboxone, my pain levels are very low (1-2), depression is minimal, and the obvious withdrawal symptoms from the OxyContin were suppressed completely 20 minutes after my initial dose approximately 16 hours after my last dose of OxyContin. Excellent drug for pain management."

• bud...
• July 16, 2009

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I have severe chronic pain and have had everything that every doctor ever wanted to try on me, only to make everything worse. I have been on pain medicines for 10 years, and I tried Suboxone. It's great for getting off the pain medicines because it stops the withdrawals, but it doesn't work for pain for more than about a week. I tried it for a month, but the pain I am in was just too much to handle for me."

• New...
• May 13, 2008

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I cannot even begin to tell you how Suboxone has saved my life. After 14 years of opiate addiction stemming from a medical condition, I was scared to try it. I had experienced withdrawal a few times before, but I did try it, and my entire life changed. I am enjoying my life. I never felt any withdrawals. I started by taking 2 a day, now take 1 a day and feel great. Soon I'll be off completely. Please at least try them. You might get your life back."

• Dou...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 2, 2018

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "This medicine saved my life. I was on it for 2 years and just finished 3 months ago. The withdrawal was mild due to how I tapered off. My only issue with it was the withdrawal symptoms seemed to last slightly longer than your standard pain pill type medication. But I would highly recommend it, just make sure you’re ready to commit to this medicine. Anyone that’s taking this or Suboxone needs to taper properly or you’ll have a really bad time."

• Ren...
• June 19, 2019

For Opioid Use Disorder "After 2 1/2 years on the Suboxone brand name, 8 mg, 2 strips, I was switched over to the Dr. Reddy's generic version. I take 2 - 8 mg strips a day. I noticed a big difference right away. I did not feel the typical mild euphoric feeling I got with the brand name, but instead experienced a feeling of general discomfort and a crushing sleepiness. I started getting headaches and almost felt as if I was going through mild withdrawal as my body attempted to adjust to the new drug. My insurance will not pay for the brand name anymore, and I don't have an extra $600 each month to spend on the meds I want. I tried Subsolve for a short while, but I did not like that either. My doctor wants me to go off strips now and go on pills completely. For the first time since I've been in opioid addiction treatment, I'm thinking of just trying to get off Suboxone because now it's just junk and a waste of money. The insurance companies don't seem to care. It's sad as this drug has worked so effectively for me."

• Anonymous
• February 19, 2009

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I have abused OxyContin for about 2 years. Suboxone has dramatically reduced my withdrawal symptoms, which you can guess were severe. The secret to taking Suboxone is that you should only stay on them for about 1-2 weeks and constantly decrease your dosage. If you take them as prescribed, you're only getting addicted to a new drug. I took whole tablets the first few days, then halves, and then quarters. Trust me, if you take the drug every day, then stop, the withdrawals are just as bad as your opiate of choice. I realize only 1-2 weeks sounds quick, but after that, you will no longer have withdrawals, but it's also willpower."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 10, 2018

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I started taking this for pain, but yet we are dependent upon this 'life saver,' and yet we are sober or clean. Can anybody go three days without taking? No, not because of pain, but because of withdrawals. Now I find myself needing to go to rehab, but I can't. We would lose the house and we have babies. Thanks to my choices and the 'doctors' for making it worse, and they are free?"

• Amy...
• October 20, 2009

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I am a 27-year-old female. I was on oxy's, heroin, pretty much everything. I was a garbage disposer. Then I went on Methadone. I was on Methadone for 7 years and had many relapses. When I got off Methadone in January, the withdrawals were horrible. I got on Suboxone, within 8 minutes, I felt normal! I am weaning off of them now. I am going slow until the point of 2 mg every other day. I don't think the withdrawal will be bad. This is a GREAT drug. It can change your life."

• JMR...
• January 15, 2009

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I have been addicted to Percocet, Lortab, Morphine IR, and Oxycodone for almost six years since a horrible accident. I was so fed up with feeling like shit every fifteen days after I ran out of my medicines. I couldn't wait to make another excuse to my pain doctor to get more pills. On Monday (1/12/09), I was done. Live or die? I chose to live. I went to my doctor and told them that I wanted to change - NOW! They referred me to a specialist in addiction. I was given 8 mg of Suboxone immediately upon arrival (I was in severe withdrawal). One hour later, I felt alive again. I don't mean high, I mean alive! No withdrawals! Completely gone! No cravings! Nothing. I have lost everything, but now I have my life. Suboxone is a miracle!"

• joh...
• July 16, 2019

For Opioid Use Disorder "I was taking buprenorphine generic, which was working fine. I told the doctor I needed a little bit more, so he increased the dosage but also switched me to Suboxone, the generic version, SANDOZ. It was like not taking anything at all. It took me a couple of days to figure it out, but I was in withdrawal. I called the doctor's office, I told them what the deal was, and they said just deal with it the best I can, and we'll change the prescription when I come back. I told the doctor the story, and he started treating me differently, kind of the way addiction people get treated. LOL. So I went to CVS and got the script filled. I thought I would ask the pharmacist about the issue, and so I did. The first words out of her mouth were, well the FDA says, and of course, my brain shut down right away. I've been through this too many other times when generics were used instead of the real thing, and I felt the difference."

• Far...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 9, 2017

Buprenorphine / naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder "I have been using oxy for over a year and a half daily for the last 3 months. I knew I needed help to get off of these drugs, and so I went to seek help from a doctor. He prescribed me Zubsolv... and after 15 hours of being in withdrawal, I took my first dose and went hard into precipitated withdrawal. The doctor was sure that enough time had passed using the Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS method), but maybe I have a slow metabolism?!? It was terrible for the first 24 hours. However, I am now finishing up my second day on the medication, taking two pills a day, and my withdrawal symptoms are gone. I still feel very achy in my joints and just have been lying in bed, but this medication has really given me hope that I can stay strong and off of using. Give it a chance!"

• 659...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 5, 2019

For Opioid Use Disorder "Been taking Suboxone for 8 years, and it saved my life, but generic Sub came out, and Medicaid would only pay for that. Right off the bat, trouble. I began to have depression and even withdrawal symptoms. I ended up in the hospital. I felt relief if I doubled up, but even then, it didn’t always work. The degree of anxiety was beyond what I could tolerate. The generic Sub doesn't seem to have any active ingredients in them - or very little, this is really a big problem."