User Reviews for Buprenorphine to treat Opiate Dependence
Brand names: Belbuca, Butrans, Sublocade Buprenex
Buprenorphine has an average rating of 8.7 out of 10 from a total of 261 reviews for the treatment of Opiate Dependence. 84% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 6% reported a negative experience.
Reviews for Buprenorphine
Sublocade (buprenorphine) "This medication Sublocade saved my life!!! 14 years I lost to heroin addiction! I had tried suboxone, methadone, rehabs, drug courts I tried it all with short success! I used sublocade for an entire year on a grant knowing there was no way I could ever afford it. But I am living proof there is a new and successful way to get your life back. I not only feel the best I've felt since I tried heroin I also have my 4 year old child back. I will forever thank the maker of this miracle medication and I hope someone out there considering the chance to take this....to do it and not for one month like an entire year! My first 2 injections were 300 mg the next 10 months my injection was 100 mg! The grant is now finished and I have been without any opiate blocker for 6 days and feel the same as with the treatment! I have not had one craving one thought one withdrawal so far! I wish anyone out there good luck on there journey to recovery !"
Sublocade (buprenorphine) "Sublocade saved my life! I was on suboxone for 2 years and my Dr suggested I switch to sublocade, I was sold when he told me I’d only have to come in once every 4 weeks. After getting 3 sublocade injections I stopped cold turkey because I just wanted my life back. To my surprise it has now been 4 months since my last dose and I have had ZERO withdrawals, that’s right, none!!! I had tried to ween off of suboxone and even the 2mg shift made me ill but stopping sublocade cold turkey I had no withdrawals. It’s seriously a miracle. If you have been wanting to quit but you can’t bare the withdrawals, or if you’re feeling hopeless that you’re going to be on opiate blockers for the rest of your life I strongly encourage you to get 1 sublocade injection and see how you feel. Out of 12 of my Drs patients who have stopped sublocade cold turkey not one of them has been back to the clinic, they’re all living opiate free lives now, including me! It has truly given me my life back."
Frequently asked questions
- How long does opioid withdrawal last?
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- What are the different types of buprenorphine/naloxone?
Sublocade (buprenorphine) "Update: Stopped Sublocade injection in early March. It’s now been seven months since my last injection. My opiate issue was I was on heroin, then methadone, then suboxone since the late 1990s. I was very stable on the methadone and suboxone , and was on 8 mgs when I started sublocade in summer 2019. I had 7 or 8 injections up till early March 2020. Then , I decided to stop the injection to see if I could finally get off the merry-go-round. I have to say it was pretty much a piece of cake.... mild symptoms here and there but NOTHING compared to suboxone withdrawal. I essentially had some sweating here and there, some lack of energy sometimes but was pretty much normal. Libido returned after about 3 months (thank god) and now I think I’m pretty much back to normal. Slept every night during entire time. So happy"
Sublocade (buprenorphine) "I have tried everything to stop using heroin. 2 grams a day for 15 years. I’ve done multiple rehabs, cold turkey, methadone, suboxone strips. You name it and I have failed at it. I got 1 shot of the 300 mg and have never gotten another shot. It’s 4 months later and I HAVE HAD ZERO WITHDRAWALS!!! This drug is amazing."
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Sublocade (buprenorphine) "I’ve been on heroin, then methadone and finally suboxone for nearly 2 decades. My dose has been one 8mg strip a day for several years. I had nasty withdrawals trying to lower my dose. I became resigned to a life long dependence on suboxone. About 9 months ago switched to Sublocade injection. Two months at 300mgs then four months of 100mgs. I decided to discontinue the injections in early March. It’s now late June and Im finally off bupe . I have to say I had very little withdrawals . It almost seems too good to be true. All the lumps from the injections have finally disappeared, and I think I’m about 95% through it. Very very easy kick compared to trying to wean down off Suboxone strips. I’ve been 3 1/2 months without an injection and I’ve achieved what I thought was impossible. I thought I would be hooked on Suboxone strips for the rest of my life."
Sublocade (buprenorphine) "I have been a heroin/ benzo/ whatever you got type of drug user for over 25 years. Done methadone/ suboxone maintenance for years at a time over the years. Started a buprenorphine program and my Dr. told me about Sublocade. Decided to give it a try..... My first 2 months were 300 mg shots. I started to participate and get involved in 12 step meetings again, exercising daily and other spiritual type exercises, meditation etc... Got a 100 mg shot my 3rd month and decided to try to just let myself detox after the 30 day shot wore off. I had extra suboxone/ bupe just in case. That was 3 months ago. Never needed the aid of the Suboxone / buprenorphine...and NO noticeable detox, WHATSOEVER! Take it from someone with a 25 year habit, hope to die, heroin addict (Anybody who knows me can vouch...) if you want freedom from active drug addiction...Sublocade will take you there but it's up to you to stay there. It works if you work it. Amazing drug."
More FAQ
Sublocade (buprenorphine) "So I came here looking for information before I received my first shot. I was taking two 8mg suboxone pills a day for a couple of years prior when I received my shot. Before I took the shot I was legitimately nervous because of all these reviews I read on here. The actual shot was painful and burned but it subsided in a couple mins. You get the shot in your stomach and it becomes an aching pain instead of burning and the location will be sore for about 4 days. Don't be scared of the shot it is a fleeting and temporary pain...worrying about having enough meds to last the month will not be a problem anymore. I no longer have to worry about taking the right amount of meds. It's much easier for me this way. Now I don't feel like I have to take a pill to feel ok. I've had no w/d symptoms, no side effects beside the pain from the shot. I'm writing this to ease your minds about the shot...its so much better than taking the meds."
Sublocade (buprenorphine) "I got 3 shots Sublocade the first 2 were the 300mg and then the last one was the 100mg. They told me I may feel withdrawals before the end of the month before the next shot but I never did. The first week was hard because I couldn’t sleep and was irritable. After first week I was really good. I went for 2 more because I thought I had too but as I went I didn’t like the lumps and felt I didn’t need it. The last shot was in March and now it’s August and I never felt any withdrawal. I have tiny lumps still but they are smaller. I do feel great. I wake up and I’m normal. The injection stings at first but pain goes away. It is life changing. I didn’t go back for more bc I felt I didn’t need too.I finally have my life back and for real. No fake bs I am one that’s completely shocked bc I didn’t believe in this. I don’t think you need to take it as long as they say but everyone is different. If you really want to stop and get your life back then now is the time sublocade is the answer. Goodluck!"
Subutex (buprenorphine) "If this medicine is used correctly it can save your life! I have been on the medicine about 2 years. Night and day from what I once was to what I am now! I used medicines (all of them) for 15 years. Now I have been medicine free for as long as I been on this medicine. I know it only treats opiate use but for whatever reason it has helped me through it all. This medicine has without a doubt saved my life. I went from never having anything to now new truck, nice house, and most importantly my kids have a life I always dreamed of. Just thought I should share."
Sublocade (buprenorphine) "The shot was not nearly as painful as I expected & that night I definitely felt glowing/ content...the day after I was alright but the NEXT DAY & following days I had ZERO energy, watery eyes, painful legs, couldn't sleep like normal. I knew by getting the injection I wasn't getting the right dose or even nearly enough as I was on strips. I was so beside myself and angry I'd let the doctor talk me into shot. It's too new and not enough information online about it. I feel like a guinea pig!!! I FINALLY talked office into letting me come back in for supplemental strips. Went in he said I wasn't the only patient having withdrawals after switching. Feel duped and will be going back to strips for awhile. Seems to me, sublocade is more of a stepping stone to help patients get OFF Suboxone, but certainly not for those NEWLY sober and wanting to just feel normal. I've been through such a hard time with this medication."
Sublocade (buprenorphine) "I have been on medication for opiate dependence since 2007. The majority of that time spent on Suboxone 8mg. But as much as 16mg daily and for a short time 4mg daily. About 6 weeks ago my doctor suggested Sublocade due to the fact that I was unable to make it to my WEEKLY appts for a Suboxone Rx and treatment with Sublocade meant I only needed to come into the office monthly. With some hesitation and reluctance I finally agreed, as the alternative was discharge from my program. I understood my biggest fears to be not having the medication in my possession to feed the habit of taking something EVERYDAY. And also the fear that it wouldn't last 30 days, being sick with withdrawals and not having anything to stop that. Well, I was beyond pleasantly surprised by how my body took to this drug. I cannot say enough positive things about the medication. I would recommend this medication to anybody who has found trouble with the alternative, Suboxone."
Sublocade (buprenorphine) "Please read my experience as I have been off of sublocade for 70 days now with GREAT success. Just so everyone knows my history I snorted pills and H for almost 10 years. Within 3 months of being on the strips I lowered my dose to 4 mg. So I started with the 100 mg Sublocade shot. The first 30 days weren't easy. After adjusting to this, not only did things get better, things got great. Within 3 months the doctor started only injecting 75% of the vile, then 50%, then 25% and the last 2 months she barely injected me with 10% of the vile. I ordered another shot for $1200 bucks since I don't have insurance anymore and it has been sitting in my doctors fridge for 70 days. I haven't withdrawn one tiny bit. Coming off opiates and buprenorphine is like landing a plane. You want to slowly land a plane, you don't want to drop from 10000 feet to 1000 feet in one second. If you do it the slow way with the shot then I assure you that you will get off this addicting drug."
Sublocade (buprenorphine) "I struggled with a severe heroin/fentanyl addiction for 10 plus years. I had been to at least 14 rehabs not counting detoxes and incarcerations. I've overdosed so many times that I had lost count. I had hit my "rock bottom" and made the decision to stop only to later relapse and find out that my bottom could always be a dug a little deeper. I had truly lost the will to live. I had destroyed everything that I had ever loved or cared about. I had contemplated and attempted suicide via o.d.ing. I've went the suboxone and methadone routes to inevitably end up right back where I started. I was stuck in what seemed to be a ground hogs day in the deepest crevices of mental, physical, and emotional never ending nightmare. I came to truly understand through witnessing the outcomes of other addicts that my two options were death or prison. I've been on sublocade for I believe 11 months now. I have a life that I am grateful for today. No NA rehab or incarceration involved. This medication saved my life."
Sublocade (buprenorphine) "I was part of the phase III trial of what is now called Sublocade. This shot literally saved my life. I was doing $300 of heroin IV everyday for years. I went to rehab, tried Suboxone strips, weaning, etc etc etc, nothing worked. I took this shot at 300mg for 14 months, and not only did I have no issues quitting, but I had no withdrawal symptoms after discontinuing the shot. I fully 100% recommend this medication to anyone suffering from opiate dependency. Please, don't hesitate. Try it if you're able."
Sublocade (buprenorphine) "Ok I’ve been on Sublocade for 7 months now. What worries me is I don’t want to be on this shot forever. The doctor has been taking 10% off my injection each time I got so now I’m down to about 50% of a 100mg shot. I am nervous that I won’t be able to get off this shot and the drug company has no info on tapering, coming off, or long term use. So I’m kinda experimenting here. Yes this is an amazing drug but I’m not trying to stay on this shot forever. We need more info on long term use and risks of tapering or even if you can. I get my shot on Monday and we are taking another 10% off. I can also tell you one time I went 64 days on a 100mg shot with no withdrawal or any kind of symptoms so this shot Is super long acting. No joke 64 days cause I was switching jobs and insurances. When I got my new insurance and went for the next dose after 64 days I still felt fine. I have searched high and low and there is zero info on coming off Sublocade. I guess I will keep you posted."
Sublocade (buprenorphine) "Rated this 9 out of 10, as I’m still taking the 100mg shot (5th one). Unsure what stopping will feel like. I was on subs for 7yrs! I have a busy life & I can’t afford to leave & deal with being sick. Most of what I read about sublocade scared the poop outta me; luckily I have a fantastic doctor I trust & I chose to listen to him. Getting the shot sucks & definitely hurts worse than I thought. So what! It’s 30 seconds of stinging/burning sensation for legit freedom! This has been SUCH a blessing! Literally day 3 I forgot I was ever taking anything on daily basis. After required 300mg shots, I went right to the 100mg with 0 issues/transition. Actually, I forgot to schedule my next appointment before leaving & ended up going 7 weeks b4 thinking...hmm, seems like it’s been a while since my last appt. Do u know how insane that is after being on subs for SO long?! Ur crazy if u have opportunity to switch & u don’t take it. Honestly, u will think what was I waiting for within the first week!!"
Sublocade (buprenorphine) "My experience is that I had been taking large amounts of opiates for about 20 years. After rehab was on 28 mg of strips for about 5 months. Got 1 300 mg shot of sublocade about 5 months ago, haven't been back. I'm still testing positive for subs in urine, and I'm still struggling with restlessness at night, but I'm taking advantage age of the chance to beat the beast, and I'm also very involved with 12 step program. My life is magical!"
Sublocade (buprenorphine) "Sublocade is the best option and highly consider. I was using 24-32mg subutex a day and the shot worked immediately. The next morning I did not wake up sick, just felt awkward reaching for pills in which I did not need. The habit of taking medication to not feel sick was the best feeling to break. Literally a month goes by and my doctor has to remind me about my next appointment. I think sublocade is more stable no ups and downs. Most people still want to feel high and when they don’t they think they are sick but it’s in their head. If anything the doses are strong for low dose sub users. I actually feel normal like the subs were supposed to work. They say traces can stay in system for a year. I have heard of a few people ween off successfully. I am hesitant to get off. Medicaid even covers it so you can go every day to methadone clinic to still get high or a shot once a month and gain clarity."
Subutex (buprenorphine) "I have been on Subutex for 2 years now. Before I was into pain pills , then moved up to heroin for about 8 years. A lot of people blame the drug for just not working but you have to be ready to stop getting high. This last attempt to stop I was desperate went to a 120 day treatment facility and started Subutex and have now been clean a lil over 2 years. A lot of people say I'm trading one addiction for another and that's fine at least now I'm not sticking a needle in my arm or hurting the people I love to get another fix. When I started Subutex I was jobless living in a homeless shelter and now. I have a house, job, car and kids back in my life . I've seen people leaving comments bashing the drug or praising it. Look it's different for everybody. No I do not give the drug all the credit because you need to have the desire to stop getting high for it to work to begin with. Just like NA and AA Subutex isn't the cure all. It can help if you really want it to tho !"
Sublocade (buprenorphine) "I am now on my 4th shot it’s been so amazing!!! No withdrawals or cravings. I can get up every day and live my life as normal as one can, no pain too. The Sublocade shot has given me a peace of mind, no more worry about if my meds are going to be in stock or no more worrying about insurance if it’s going to be covered or if I need a prior authorization. People.. take it from me the needle poke don’t hurt it’s the medicine going in that then it starts to burn a little. Nothing I can’t handle though. I've been on subs since 2011 straight, being on 20mg daily. This shot has given me comfort when I switched the more shots u get the higher blood plasma that the medicine will be in your body.... the 300mg shot is equivalent to about 24mg sublingual films............. I hope this helps"
Sublocade (buprenorphine) "I had been prescribed Suboxone for opioid use disorder for the last 5 years. I got the sublocade shot 3 months ago and I have to say, my life is overall better since switching to the shot. I never woke up feeling like this, normal, on suboxone, until after I had taken a dosage. Now there are no ups and downs. I feel the same all the time, no matter what, thanks to the injection. I got on the injection because my husband was abusing part of my prescription of suboxone so in order for me to get out of this cycle, my doctor recommended the injection after I finally came clean about him. This way, no one can take advantage of me for having pills they want. I can’t say enough good about sublocade. It is impossible to abuse given that it has to be administered by a health care professional, there are absolutely no ups and downs, you feel the same normal way all the time, and it’s only a once a month commitment."
Sublocade (buprenorphine) "I got my life back with Sublocade. I am that guy that couldn’t take my tablets or strips correctly. I struggled for years, using my docs as my new dealers. I even had one teach me how to beat the system. After years of playing the system, everything was catching up to me. I was about to lose everything and then I found a real doctor, one that wouldn’t play my game, that held me to a standard. He also got me on Sublocade and it has been my saving grace. I live life now!! It took a couple of weeks but it was pretty fast. All of my relationships are top notch and I actually have real friends again. My wife and I are back in tune with one another and enjoying everyday together. I recommend this to anyone that needs help."
Sublocade (buprenorphine) "I did a study for the shot in 2016. After 7 years of injecting heroin they accepted me and my fiancé in the study. It was like we hit the lottery. It took a few days for us to adjust to it, but when we did it was amazing! It really helps with your dopamine levels and cravings. We took it for 13 months and then we got off it. We didn’t have any withdrawl symptoms or pain at all following our last shot. I highly recommend it to any opiate users. It was the only way we quit using after seven years."
Subutex (buprenorphine) "I truly believe this drug is a miracle drug. I had been on high doses of oxycodone, methadone, oxycontin 80 mg, and opana 30 ER for about 14 years and when I tried to stop on my own the w/d's were so bad that it was impossible for me. I was put on subutex for 2 months (my choice for discontinuing) 8 mg a day. I weaned myself off within two months and I did experience very slight w/d's, but nothing I couldn't deal with for about 2 weeks. Mainly I believe that I just didn't know how to live drug free so my emotions were like a roller coaster for a couple weeks. Pushing through though is the key because your mind will tell you this will never end, but it does and pretty quick if you stay committed and stay away from bad choices."
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.
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Sublocade (buprenorphine) "I was on Suboxone for roughly 5 years after being addicted to opiates. Suboxone was a life saver but was also such a pain in the ass. I wanted to get off badly, but was so terrified of the withdrawals that everyone on the web said could last 1-6 months. So my Dr. suggested Sublocade, and I agreed to give it a try. The injection stung but I immediately felt great, and no issues going from Suboxone (8mg’s a day) to Sublocade. After being on Sublocade for about a year feeling so much better I started reading all the great reviews about Sublocade stating the withdrawals are very minimal if any at all, I plan to take my last injection on the 13th of December and I know I will do great! I will update in a couple months. Wish me luck."