Buprenorphine for Opiate Dependence - Maintenance User Reviews (Page 4)

• Jak...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 14, 2021

"I just got my first injection last week. We started off at 100 mg with intentions of weaning myself off within a few months. I have been on oral Subutex for almost 3 years. I have been EXTREMELY tired, to the point that every time I lay down with my daughter, I am fighting sleep or passing out. This includes nap time before 1 pm and bedtime at 8 pm. Did anyone else experience this? If so, does it go away? What shall I do?"

• Kic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 8, 2018

"I was taking between 16 mg-24 mg of Suboxone for over 8 years. I received my first Sublocade shot exactly 1 week ago today. Some days, even hours, are better than others, but for the most part, I feel pretty good! The biggest perk of the shot is not having to remember to take Suboxone everywhere I go. Good luck, everyone!!"

• Cai...
• June 30, 2018

"So I got the Sublocade shot three days ago, and the actual injection was so much more painful than I could have imagined. It stung so bad for a good half hour after getting the shot. I feel fine as far as the dosing goes, and it's relaxing not having to remember to bring my Suboxone with me to work every day. I also would run out too early and have to deal with taking half my prescription dose the last two weeks of the month. So far, so good, I'll get it again next month despite the pain. There is a lump at the injection site as well that is bruised and is sore to the touch. Overall, I think the benefit of peace of mind outweighs the pain."

• Liz...
• July 11, 2018

"I got my first Sublocade injection about three weeks ago. The injection was pretty painful, but the pain only lasted for about 15 minutes. I felt great the first several days, but I started feeling like I was going through withdrawals on day 4-no energy, headache, nausea, stomach cramps, and hot flashes. My doctor called in some strips so I could take one a day, and that has helped a little. However, I still feel like I need to take two 8 mg strips a day to feel “normal.” I was taking 24 mg per day for the past 6 months before getting the shot. After thinking about it a lot, I have decided not to get the second injection. I was doing great on 24 mg a day, so I’m going to go back to Suboxone. I don’t want to spend another month feeling like crap. Hopefully, the shot will work for others, but it wasn’t for me. It seems to work well for those who have been on a low dose of Suboxone (8 mg or less per day)."

• Niz...
• August 30, 2018

"I was on about 12-16 mg SUBOXONE for the last 6 years. It was a game-changer for me. Obviously, I still struggle with other vices, but nothing has ever captivated me the way opiates have. My dad and I call it my Oxygen. I got my first Sublocade shot last Saturday, 8-25. So far, it’s been a mix of emotions. I used to love the two hours after I woke up when I knew Buprenorphine efficacy was 98%. But that’s unhealthy. So, in terms of getting better, this is far more effective. I definitely have some adapting to do - but I would recommend this to anyone who is trying to “normalize” their life or get into more of a daily routine/regimen. Will update next month. Cheers."

• Jjj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 18, 2024

"I've been on Subutex for almost 10 years, and after switching to Sublocade, I truly feel like I'm free from the worry of so many things. Managing my pill count and my pills themselves is a huge plus for me. I travel for work doing construction and have had prescriptions stolen, seized at airports, and lost with luggage over the years, which all resulted in withdrawal. With Sublocade, it's not an issue ever again! Also, my appointment got pushed back 2 1/2 weeks, and no withdrawal symptoms at all. Wish I would have made this change years ago."

• Kmt...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 3, 2019

"THE PAIN ISN'T BAD! I've been on Suboxone maintenance for over a year with great success, no relapse at all. I am getting incarcerated for an old issue, so my doc made me aware of Sublocade. I went to get the injection and was extremely nervous after hearing mixed reviews about the pain of the shot. My nurse made me comfortable and told me there was going to be a burn. After the initial pinch of the needle, a burn is a great way to describe it. I am not good with pain, but this is VERY MANAGEABLE. The injection lasted 5 seconds at the most and was not bad. Do not be scared of the pain, it is no worse than a normal shot and is comparable to getting a tattoo. The injection site is pretty tender, but nothing too serious."

• Swo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 28, 2021

"I thought Sublocade was going to be a godsend. Not going to a pharmacy every day, only having to get injected once a month. This injection stays in your body for a long period of time. It has been over 4 months since my last injection, and I still have a prominent amount in my system. It causes extreme nightmares, constipation, sleep irregularities/difficulties, weight gain, hunger, balance issues. Please be aware that this medicine isn't as great as you'd think."

• Sli...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 5, 2019

"So today is my first day on Sublocade. I've been on Subutex 2 years this time. But I've been on them all: methadone, dope, Suboxone a few times for each. I was on heroin and Xanax since 2002. It was a real struggle for me to get clean, but I kept trying. Anyway, I got tired of the up and down on Subutex. I feel great in the morning and tired around 6 pm. Plus, my sleep was screwed. So I read that this stuff is supposed to be much smoother. I took the shot about 5 hours ago, and I feel it already. It's not bad at all. I like it, actually. I forgot to say I was on 16 mg of Sub. Anyway, I'll keep updating."

• Lee...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 19, 2023

"I was on and off Suboxone for years and could never stay on it long enough for it to become an effective treatment for me. Only after 1 month of being on Sublocade, I had zero cravings and was finally able to wake up in peace like a “normal” person. I could not be thankful enough for having this medication in my life. I’ve been on it for over 2 years now and can only hope that more people will have just as much success in their recovery with Sublocade as I have. The only downside I know that could turn people away is the pain you experience getting the injection, especially the first and/or second one. However, for only a few mins of pain, you get a whole month of normalcy. Ice packs help significantly with the pain if you ice the area of the injection 30 mins beforehand and keep icing it afterwards. If you’re thinking about it, JUST DO IT. If you’ve already done 1 or 2 and want to quit, DON’T! Just give it a chance. I promise you WON'T REGRET IT!"

• Bob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 19, 2018

"I had my first shot 12/9/18. I feel as if I'm starting to get small signs of withdrawal: the runny nose, watery eyes, but I'm having trouble deciphering if it's my head or if it's real withdrawal. I want the shot to work so very badly. I guess I just gotta see what the next few days bring."

• ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 10, 2023

"I had high hopes for this treatment, just like everyone else who tried it. I did my research and was very optimistic. However, I have had to take Zubox every other day, otherwise, I experience withdrawal symptoms and feel sick. Today, I am supposed to receive my next shot, and I still hope it will work, but so far, it has been a terrible month. I hope my doctor believes me and allows me to go back to Zubox."

• Dav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 8, 2019

"Just got the Sublocade injection an hour ago. Not going to sugarcoat it though... when the medication is being injected into your belly, it’s going to sting pretty badly, but it does subside about 20 seconds afterward. Currently, I feel slightly nauseous, but overall I feel pretty good. I didn't take a Suboxone today, and I don't feel the desire to do so now. So far, so good. I’ll give periodic updates every so often. Good vibes and good luck!"

• Suz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 18, 2018

"I'm now on my second shot. Received it almost 2 weeks ago. (300 mg) My next shot, scheduled for 2 weeks from now, will be 100 mg. The first was in my lower right abdomen and burned like crazy for about 10 minutes. The second one I had in the upper right abdomen and experienced no pain. I was on 1.5 of the 8 mg strips a day for 2 years and absolutely hated remembering to take it. I'm ADD as well. I love it. So far, I've experienced some super tired feeling days, which suck but go away. If I understand correctly, the shot won't regulate in your system until the 3rd or 4th dose. So I'm hoping over time I just feel totally normal. After 6 months, my plan is to be done when over 6 months. Does anyone on this thread still get the shot? If so, how's it working out? Because it's so new, I've found it difficult to find others' experiences."

• Chr...
• January 25, 2020

"Took my second Sublocade shot 5 days ago with no supplemental tabs. The first month, I had tabs with the shot - 1/2 Subutex per day. Now that they're gone, I feel this drug doing very little. I am reassured mentally that there's two lumps of medication 'working,' but I also feel it's all placebo. Right now, I am withdrawing, but it's nothing too bad - tight skin, slightly dilated pupils, runny nose, low energy. May be due to the tabs. What I can say now is this medicine puts you right at that fine line of withdrawal and feeling good enough to work. I may as well hop off altogether and let this thing self-taper. It motivates me to close the addiction chapter. It's not a bad medication if you're motivated to get off. I can't imagine a horrific withdrawal coming if I am already withdrawing and tapering down off of a half 8 mg tab/day. I might be early in saying this, but it may be the perfect remedy to transition towards independent sobriety."

• Meh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 6, 2018

"I had my first Sublocade shot this morning at 9 a.m. I feel nothing. It stung, about like a black fly bite. It went away almost immediately. I feel nothing at all. I worry. The small buzz I got from subs kept me going-not craving and using illicit opioids. My doc put me on the Sublocade due to mismanagement of dose. I wish I could just take the strips as prescribed. I'll keep posting. As of day one, I feel nothing at all. Just tired."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 22, 2021

"I took Suboxone for nearly 15 years. I loved that it gave my life back, however, when trying to quit, the withdrawals were horrible. Just recently, I took a 100 mg injection of Sublocade for one month. Now, it has been nearly a month since the Sublocade ran out, and I have felt great. I really haven’t had any withdrawals, besides maybe a hot flash here and there. Nothing that I couldn’t handle and nothing like any other withdrawals I’ve had before. No other withdrawals, and now it’s over and I’m living a blessed life. It’s amazing."

• No...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 25, 2020

"Came off years of opiates with no taper using Sublocade. I was on 100 mg for 1.5 years. The medication ate two necrotic holes in my stomach. I abruptly discontinued the medication after being on Subutex for years previously with ZERO withdrawal symptoms. I repeat, I came off opiates with NO taper with ZERO withdrawal symptoms. This medication is the worst and best thing that has ever happened to me. Unfortunately, I am scared for life from it."

• Ano...
• February 27, 2020

"Day one and no complaints so far. The burning (not from the needle but from the medicine going into the stomach tissue) subsided after I moved around a little. To inject, they pinch a chunk of stomach flesh, and they alternate between four quadrants/injection sites around your belly button. After an hour, there was little to no injection site sensation/pain. The process was bearable, and I was able to speak normally immediately after. I did use an ice pack a half hour before to freeze the stomach area, and I think that helped. If possible, it’s always best to have someone drive you to your first appointment so that you have one less thing to worry about."

• riz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 15, 2018

"Just awful. The injection stung like nothing I have ever felt, and the shot offered no withdrawal relief! I was in withdrawal by day 3, so my doctor called in thirty 8 mg Subutex. Even that was not enough, I don't know why, but my body was not absorbing this worthless med. At my last appointment, we abandoned the Sublocade, and I am taking my usual dose of 16 mg a day. Beware."

• Uns...
• March 16, 2020

"I have been on Suboxone for 9 years and decided to try Sublocade. I am on my 6th day post-injection and still feeling terrible. 2 days after the injection, I landed myself in the ER with withdrawal, and from my experience, that is exactly what it felt like, and then I ended up back in the doctor's office. I now have to supplement my 8 mg tablets of Sub again. So for the past 4 days, I have taken 6 mg of an 8 mg tab, and yesterday I went to do the same thing. I still wasn't feeling great, and when I went to take my last 2 mg of the dose last night, I ended up feeling like I all of a sudden had too much of the med. So today, I decided to do 2 mg morning and 2 mg afternoon and nothing else today. The problem I'm having is that the first couple of days I know I wasn't getting any of the med and was in withdrawal. Since yesterday, I feel like I'm getting some of it, but I'm finding it hard to tell how much and still feel ill. I've been getting headaches, blurred vision, and fatigue."

• Bab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 1, 2019

"I’m one month out on it after 9 years on film and tabs and switched for the first month with no issues. I was on 24 mg SBX a day till 300 SBC SQ, and I had a great month, two days till the second 300."

• Emi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2023

"I'm unfortunately facing some time in prison and have been offered Sublocade so I don't have to worry about withdrawal once I am in. I just wanted to thank all of those who left reviews because you have put my mind at ease and made my decision so much easier."

• Wil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 18, 2018

"I was hoping this injection would change things, but it hasn't. It hurt like hell, and now I have a big lump in my stomach. I am craving like never before, and this is not helping with any of that. I will not be taking this injection ever again. What a waste."

• Jun...
• May 5, 2021

"I took my first Sublocade injection April 30th, 2021. Today is May 4th, 2021, and so far, so good. I've been on Suboxone for the past 3 years (8 mg daily) and was a bit nervous about feeling any type of withdrawal, but I’m on day 5, and I feel great. Today, I woke up feeling a bit tired and my body a bit achy, but nothing I can’t deal with. Overall, I’m very happy with the way I’m feeling! My first injection was 300 mg, and my next will be another 300 mg, and then my third will be 100 mg, and I’m planning on not taking a 4th! I will keep everybody updated throughout my process, but if there’s anybody thinking about getting the injection, DO IT! I know the feeling of waking up every day and dealing with having to put film under your tongue just to feel normal, it sucks! And it’s the worst... Plus, before I decided to get on the Sublocade, I read hundreds of reviews, and they all say the same thing about how great it’s working for them, so I did it, and it’s the best thing I could have ever done, guys!"