Buprenorphine and Nausea: What Users Say

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 4, 2020

For Chronic Pain "I have been struck with horrible chronic pain from PLDS (Post-Lyme Disease Syndrome). First I was prescribed oxycodone. I hated the side effects: apathy, brain fog, severe constipation, sweats, nausea, headaches. I was miserable. I fired my pain doctor and signed up for a Chronic Pain MAT program. They prescribed Belbuca, and I’m very satisfied with my experience. It helps with pain as well as the oxycodone did, but the apathy and brain fog are pretty much gone. On my correct dose, I have no nausea, headaches, or other icky side effects. I’m free from the endless rollercoaster of pain and withdrawals between doses, and having to make sure I have opiates with me at all times just in case. A word of caution regarding the bad reviews: some of them may not have given the medication enough time to find the right dose for them. For others, it may not work, but for me, Belbuca controls pain and doesn’t make you high - to me, that’s a good thing. I can be a full participant in my life again."

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 11, 2020

For Chronic Pain "Was in an accident in 2015. A drunk driver hit me head-on. From that year until last week, I've had two surgeries on my back, PT, and pain management was the only way to help me. They added more pills and upped the dose of pain meds. Depending on pills for the pain was depressing. Long story short, I went to another pain management doctor for a second opinion. He tried me on Belbuca 425mcg twice a day, today is day 6. In the first couple of days, my head was foggy and I felt a little sick to my stomach. It goes away each day. The pain is 80% gone, enough to where I can stand it and have a life. I don't have to take any pills in between. I was so afraid of detoxing because of the lower dose. No detox at all. I can't believe the pain breakthrough this has given me. What I've been through and the pain was too much. I'm more active, taking longer walks. I'll never be able to run again, but I'll take this over having to take 6 pills a day of high doses."

• Cee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 28, 2019

For Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "So I was addicted to opiates for 4 years, taking them orally and crushing and snorting them. That's when I knew I needed help. I was losing everything and spending way too much money, I was basically working to get high. So I originally started with 8mg Suboxone 2 times a day, then 21mg once a day for six months. I was then offered the Sublocade shot. Initially, I was skeptical but ended up doing it and am glad I did. It did burn upon injection, and I was a little nauseous for a couple of days, but then fine. So I never went back for the second dose. Let me tell you why this worked for me, but you have to really want to not be dependent on another medication. My theory was it's slowly released into your bloodstream, so it will slowly leave as well. Yes, I did go through a little withdrawal with the hot/cold and sweating for like 2 days, but it was definitely nothing like withdrawal from the actual opiate itself. I am currently still clean and sober, loving my family, and life itself."

• Jay...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 23, 2019

For Chronic Pain "I cannot believe the 10 ratings on here. This drug is horrible for me. I've been taking oxycodone for 5 years and my doc is trying to get me to switch, as others have said, due to the opioid crisis. I'm not chasing a 'high', I am chasing a reduced pain life. My pain level was a 3 on oxycodone. Now my joint and nerve pain is at a 9, dare I say a 10. I hate to say a 10 but the pain level is back to the worst I've ever had. Not only that but I get extremely nauseous and get a BAD headache. I have to take Tylenol and Benadryl to sleep when I take it, and when I wake up I feel like I have a hangover - the side effects from this drug are worse than anything I had ever experienced on Oxycodone, and then added side effects from Benadryl compound it. This drug is just absolutely horrible and my body cannot tolerate it. Makes me think doctors are getting a kickback to prescribe it."

• dog...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 6, 2013

For Pain "When the doctor gave me these patches, I had a 'yeah right' attitude. I am stunned! I applied the first patch and 3 days later, I had significant pain relief! I just applied my 2nd patch and I am able to resume doing a lot of things I haven't done in years. I had side effects at first: sleepiness, shakiness, and severe nausea, but they passed within the first week. I am amazed and pleased at the effectiveness of these patches."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2012

For Pain "Fantastic, at first. I received relief from fibro pain throughout my body and some rheumatoid arthritis pain. (Oddly, I did experience a new pain in the very center of my lower back after beginning Butrans). Once I increased to 20 mcg, after 2 days of applying the new patch, I would vomit, have nausea and headache. Then, my depression got so bad, almost to the point of hospitalization. Butrans did help with my pain, but the side effects were just too much."

• Daw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 10, 2019

For Chronic Pain "My pain management doctor prescribed me this awful expensive medication that was supposed to take away my pain. I have psoriatic arthritis and fibromyalgia. I took it and it made me feel horrible. I was in bed all day and had to call off of work because I was in excruciating pain. It just made me want to sleep. I could not believe the price and I could only afford two patches for $29. My prescription was for 100 at $566. He prescribed me 300mcg and I will never take it again. I take hydrocodone to control my pain which works for me. I don't want to go on anything stronger so he tried this out and obviously I would give it a zero if that was an option. Everybody is different but I would not purchase the entire prescription without trying one or two patches before you spend that kind of money on it. I read the reviews and I tried it anyway and I would have to agree with the bad reviews."

• Dav...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 2, 2020

For Chronic Pain "I've now been on a 15 mcg Butrans patch for 6 months with some good relief for permanent nerve damage in both legs. However, I've noticed that the patch basically becomes non-effective on day 5, and I start having withdrawals. I'm 22 years old and drive daily with the patch. I only notice tiredness after 11 pm, so it suits my working life fine. I'm going to my doctor to talk about getting put on a 20 mcg patch and a 5-day change. Constipation, nausea, and loss of appetite have been side effects for me, but it hands down beats any oral tablet. I'd rather be on a patch as opposed to taking tablets due to liver damage over long-term usage. For nerve damage, amitriptyline was the best relief I've ever had with brilliant sleep and pain relief. However, I experienced fibrillation and irregular heartbeats, so I had to come off them. Stay safe and always consult with your doctor or medical person in charge."

• 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."

• Bel...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 31, 2020

For Chronic Pain "I'm 39 and have had 3 babies, two major back surgeries, which now I have chronic intractable pain, arthritis, and neuropathy. I've been on Morphine, Dilaudid, Fentanyl, Oxy, and just recently on Opana. Then my Dr. put me back on Belbuca. I had been on it last year for over a year. Then my insurance changed, and it was over 300.00 dollars, so my Dr. switched meds for a few months, and now I couldn't be happier to be back on it! No nausea from Oxy, no side effects from any withdrawal because it's Suboxone, and it's the best pain relief I've ever had. I'm at 600 mcg and have incredible pain relief. I do take gabapentin as well as a muscle relaxer, but everything in conjunction works great! I can't say anything bad about it. Anyone that experiences nausea and is taking something with it, it has to be the other narcotic."

• 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!"

• Sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 4, 2017

For Pain "I was on Fentanyl patches for a year and a half at 75 mcg. I was needing a little more pain relief, so the doctor was going to switch me to Butrans. Insurance wouldn't pay, so he decided on Belbuca. I've currently been on it for almost 2 weeks. I can't sleep more than an hour a day. I have a massive headache all the time, and my skin crawls like there are bugs under it. I've talked to the doctor, but he will not listen. It's not controlling the pain, it wears off for hours before the next dose. I can't hold food down, and I have no desire to drink anything either."

• Com...
• January 15, 2012

For Opioid Use Disorder "I recently switched from Suboxone to Subutex, and I could not have been more grateful for my doctor allowing the change. I never felt 'good' on Suboxone, I always had a headache, I was always sick to my stomach, and I felt I couldn't do anything until I took my dose. Now, with Subutex, I actually feel GOOD. I have energy, I have a desire to go out and live again, rather than just exist from dose to dose of that awful citrus taste. I also see myself not needing as large of an amount in order to keep me feeling alright. I am so thankful for Subutex."

• Anonymous
• January 25, 2012

For Pain "The patch started off as a great alternative to the other options, but I quickly had too many issues with it to continue using it. It constantly peels off, leaves big red itchy bumps, loses its effectiveness after about 4 days, makes me dizzy, nauseous, light-headed, races my heart, and gives me headaches. Too bad because it really killed the pain. Never mind the cost."

• Kev...
• December 8, 2019

For Opioid Use Disorder "Ok, I just got my 10th Sublocade shot, feeling very well still, no cravings. I take 300 mg for maintenance dose. I wake up feeling rested, the only thing I hate is the nausea, but that’s the only bad side effect. Other than that, I love not taking something every day. Sublocade allows me to be me still and live life to my fullest... without popping (something)... stick with it, you’ll be proud of the outcome..."

• heb...
• November 10, 2011

For Pain "I have been on Butrans patch for about 6 months. Started on 5mg, then 10mg after a few months, and then 20mg. I had several side effects although it did relieve my pain. Just the past two days, I had to go off of the patch because my side effects were very worse being on the 20mg. The side effects I have experienced since I started Butrans 6 months ago are: In the beginning, very itchy all over, not just at the patch placement site... that did go away after about 3 weeks. Severe horrible constipation... I mean horrible... severe appetite loss. Although I needed to lose the 27 pounds that I have lost since taking Butrans, I am a worrywart, so I worry it could be something more severe, but I think it's the patch. Severe nausea too."

• Lis...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 15, 2020

For Opioid Use Disorder "I was on sub strips for 6 months, then switched to the Sublocade injection for 5 months. It's been two months since my 5th shot, and overall I feel okay. A little nauseous and fatigued, but all manageable so far. Hoping to get off this medication for good, as I desire complete abstinence, but to each their own! This drug made it so much better, no more waking up feeling like garbage until my strip started to work. No more hankering for the next strip! It made my life normal again, and for that, I am VERY grateful!"

• MSr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 11, 2018

For Chronic Pain "I have been on and with the same pain management clinic for over 14 years. Due to chronic pain and from multiple spinal surgeries, I have been on a strict regimen of Norco for many years. Recently, in September of 2018, the pain management clinic said that due to strict government guidelines, they must wean all of their patients off all types of opioids. They had decided to place me on Belbuca, buprenorphine sublingual oral patches. Within a few days, I was experiencing nausea and fatigue, so severe that I had to take leave from my job for days."

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 6, 2019

For Chronic Pain "I have used a 150 film for a few months now, previous were the patches, which ate holes in my skin and made me feel terrible. Previous to that, everything since 3 accidents since 2004, with serious injuries. I was lastly on oxycodone 90 mg a day, what a nightmare. I could not function, did not want to see anyone or go anywhere for over 4 years, lost all savings, could not work, and was in despair and felt like a drug addict. I now am back to work, have great energy, am happy, around 60% less pain daily, can sleep, etc. It has made life worth living again. ***My doctor will not move up my dosage, however, I feel that if it was up 33%, it would be very helpful. Does anyone know the reason for this? ***He did have me put the film in my cheek and hold it for 5 seconds with my tongue. I have had no problem with getting the film to stay properly."

• 201...
• February 16, 2018

For Chronic Pain "I have been on Butrans patch for 2 1/2 years for back pain, DDD, cervical, lumbar herniated discs, scoliosis, stenosis, fractured tailbone, osteoarthritis. My insurance changed to United Healthcare Jan. 1, 2018. During that time it would not cover Butrans patch cost $679. Insurance forced me to try Belbucca film. Tried it stuck to my teeth, take 2 hrs to dissolve. This drug made me so sick. I had 1 week of lying in bed, weak, chills, some nausea. The doctor told me to stop meds. So he called in my Butrans patch on February 12th. I fought for 2 whole days, making 36 total phone calls between the doctor, UHC, insurance. By the end of the day on Feb 14th, I had been so sick from Belbucca and not having my Butrans patch I had to go pick up my prescription of Butrans patch at the cost of $679. On 20 mg and it’s the best med I have used that works. Why deny my coverage?"

• Wif...
• May 26, 2018

For Opioid Use Disorder "My husband has been on Suboxone for three years. Three days ago, he received his first Sublocade injection. It does leave a knot at the injection site but isn't painful. The day of the shot, he experienced extreme euphoria (unusual for him with bup/nal) and said his head felt a lot of pressure but felt no withdrawal symptoms. Day two, the euphoric feeling was gone, but he said he felt like he'd been hit by a truck and had a massive headache. Still no withdrawal, though. Today is day three, and he woke up with another truly bad headache that made him nauseous. Still, though, no withdrawals. The goal is to eventually wean off the medication. He's being patient and trying to believe these side effects (reported as common) are just his body adapting to the new delivery system. The most important thing is to avoid debilitating withdrawal. For that purpose, it has been effective. I'll continue to post as he moves closer to the end of the first cycle and when he receives his second injection."

• DDa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 14, 2019

For Opiate Dependence - Maintenance "Day two of Sublocade, and I feel sick to my stomach. Stomachache, nausea, cold sweats, and just overall not feeling well. I'm not sure if my body is just trying to adjust to this or what's going on, but even if tomorrow I feel better and the rest of this month I feel better, it will have not been worth it after today. I was doing just fine on my Suboxone, but my doctors kept pushing Sublocade, and now I have to suffer through this."

• dor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 27, 2019

For Chronic Pain "Undiagnosed pain in my butt for 18 years. Probably a strained muscle from jogging. Norco and oxy did the trick for quite a while, but then, well, you know how these things go. I tried a morphine drip which worked at the trial, but... that's another story. Then the doc put me on Belbuca, saying it's the only medication that he'd prescribe at this point. I'm in the first week, and it's been awful. No pain relief, nausea, tiredness, ill feeling. The doc says to give it more of a chance, at the end of a week, I can't see spending money [it's not cheap] for more misery. It is very disappointing."

• lex...
• July 23, 2016

For Chronic Pain "Wow, I cannot believe the negative comments. Well, I was on many different medications, I mean from OxyContin, Opana, Dilaudid, you name it, I've been on it. I have chronic back pain and had two surgeries. I personally love the medication, it works for me, and as far as having nausea, absolutely none at all. Everyone says they got nausea, maybe you need to start out at a low dose. I am on the highest dose, and I love it. Yes, the film does stick, but it's not bad to me. So, to anyone out there, I suggest everyone is different and give it a try. I don't know, maybe it works best for different kinds of pain. When I was on OxyContin, now that made me nauseous and felt like I couldn't breathe."

• Mys...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 2, 2016

For Chronic Pain "I put this patch on on Friday. At first, I felt dizzy and nauseous, so I had to take a Zofran and the feeling went away. It seemed like the pain relief was almost immediate, it was a 7.25 mcg/hr patch. Keep in mind that I've been taking other pain meds since 2004 for fibromyalgia, and I had stopped them the day before in anticipation of this patch. I woke up in quite a bit of pain on Saturday and took a Norco, and with that and moving around, I felt fine. I had to take a Zofran Saturday, Sunday, and today for nauseousness, but other than that, I feel fine and the pain is gone. It has only been 3 days, but if it keeps working like this, I'm sticking with the patch. Very happy so far."