Belbuca and Migraine: What Users Say

• Ks...
• October 12, 2019

For Chronic Pain "Started Belbuca 1 week and 2 days ago. Fibromyalgia, Degenerative Disc Disease, Degenerative Bone Disease, Peripheral Neuropathy, and Scoliosis. I've been on pain meds for 19 years. Starting dose was 300mcg every 12 hours, which was increased to 600mcg after 1 week. My chronic pain is not being fully covered yet, but it did help with withdrawal symptoms. I've been given hydrocodone for breakthrough pain, but it takes more to manage my pain. I anticipate my doctor will likely increase my dose to 900mcg when I go back to see her in 2 weeks. Side effects include headaches/migraines and lack of energy. Previous Medications: Methadone 20mg daily with hydrocodone for breakthrough pain for the last 8 years. Before that, I took OxyContin with Oxycodone for breakthrough pain. The government needs to realize that opioid deaths aren't from people being treated for pain under a doctor, but from people using heroin and carfentanil acquired from street drugs."

• Sav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 14, 2019

For Chronic Pain "I like reading that this medication works for some people, unfortunately it did not work for me. It gave me terrible migraine headaches that sent me to the emergency room to rid myself of them because they were so severe. The moment it dissolves, my head felt like it was going to explode. I wish they could come up with something that could help people with chronic pain! I’m not sure the government understands. The opioid crisis is mostly for people that are addicted to fentanyl and move onto heroin. All of these reviews will not change anything unless people speak up to their representative. People cannot live in chronic pain and work."

• Lex...
• December 16, 2018

For Chronic Pain "I am a Registered Nurse who had a 36-year career end due to disabling chronic spinal disc disease, herniation, and failed surgeries. I have a spinal cord stimulator and was taking 50mcg fentanyl via patch changed every two days for ~10 years. Took codeine 30-60mg every two days and as needed for breakthrough pain. I was sleepy, antisocial, and miserable. I was given Belbuca 300mg to replace fentanyl. Within 48 hrs, the extreme fatigue and foggy brain were gone. Pain less intense. I did experience increased migraines and nausea after AM dose. Extremely good outcome."

• KJa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 16, 2019

For Chronic Pain "I've been on opioid meds since 2001. I've been with my current PM doc since 2006. Since the guidelines changed, we had to change my meds, though they were working for me. At my last appointment, she suggested Belbuca, and I said okay. What a mistake. I've had the worst migraines of my life, every single day and night. I finally realized it's the Belbuca. I haven't been impressed by it anyway, as far as pain relief goes. It helped me with withdrawals as I stopped taking Exalgo, but it doesn't help with pain."

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

For Chronic Pain "I was prescribed the Belbuca cheek patch 150 mg, 2x daily. I only used it 1 time. It made me sleepy, and I felt like I didn't have to breathe (very weird). It also made me nauseous and gave me a horrible migraine headache. My migraine is gone, but I've had a pretty bad regular headache every day since I used that patch! I have rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and neuropathy from the chemo they gave me. I'm in pain all over my whole body every minute of every day. I was really hoping this medicine would work, but on top of my usual pain, I now have a chronic headache to deal with that shows no sign of going away. This medicine sucks!"

• Mom...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 11, 2017

For Chronic Pain "I've dealt with chronic nerve, back, and arthritis pain for 17 years. I've taken just about everything there is to take, including patches and an implanted neurostimulator. Oxy worked best but isn't available anymore due to misuse. Belbuca has been good for me. I do get occasional migraines, Excedrin Migraine works. I don't have the problem others have, I stick it on my cheek near my molars and it never falls off. There are trial blank films available to practice with. My biggest side effect after 6 months is quickened tooth decay. I have also had to learn how to deal with not having the euphoria effect of the other meds that get you moving and affect mood. It's like the old days taking Advil, and pain just leaves. I'm me again- I like that."

• Buc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 1, 2016

For Chronic Pain "I have been on this medicine for only about a week. The first day I took it, I got a migraine, and the pain relief was similar to Tylenol or ibuprofen. The next day (day 2), I took my daily dose (I may either take 1 at a time twice a day or 2 at a time one time per day), so I took two this time, and I felt much better than day one. My body adjusted well. My dose that I was given was VERY small to begin, but my doctor said he will up my dose in December at my follow-up visit. I take it every day (BUCCAL FILM), which tastes minty but can get stuck on my teeth and takes 30 mins to dissolve. It kicks in about 20-45 mins after taking, but I get the full effect HOURS afterwards. Ok start to a new life without hardcore pain meds. Not great, but ok."

• Ann...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 13, 2023

For Chronic Pain "My doctor took me off OxyContin with this to replace for pain control. For me, going off the oxy wasn’t difficult with this drug. That’s about all it’s good for, it should be used for that purpose only. It does nothing for my pain. Side effects: high blood pressure, feeling like your heart is beating out of your chest. Also, my migraines are back. I have cut my dose, and that helps the side effects a little."

• Nic...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 12, 2022

For Chronic Pain "Started Belbuca in April 2020 for chronic pain. My neck C4, C5, and C6 are herniated and bulging. In pain and still trying not to have surgery on my neck. The fact that I had 3 back surgeries from 2016, I’m rodded, caged, and infused from L3 to L5, now my L2 is now herniated/bulged. Water therapy and physical therapy for that also. I have rheumatoid arthritis as well. Since I have been on Belbuca, the brain fog is still there. I now suffer from migraines 15 days or more out of the month. I have swelling all over my body, constant sore throat, and I get upper respiratory infections and am nauseous all day after taking them twice a day. I never had migraines before I started taking Belbuca. They have added more meds for migraines and I get Botox for the migraines too. Also, I am on nausea meds. I forget things so easily. I have insomnia and might sleep 2 to 4 hours if I’m lucky. I am sweating out of nowhere. The pain barely eases up. I have been sicker on this med than I have ever been in my life."

• Jud...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 28, 2021

For Chronic Pain "My experience with Belbuca is somewhat mixed. I have CRPS in my dominant arm. Had a bad fall almost 8 years ago. The regular pain meds like Percocet trigger migraines in me. I would rate it a 6 out of 10. I've used it for 2 years, 300 twice per day."