I am currently on Suboxone (Buprenorphine and Naloxone), and have been for a while. Since I have been on this medication, my pulse/heart rate has gotten way out of control. I have been to all of the neccessary doctors... Heart Specials, etc There is nothing wrong with my heart, after going through several tests; All medications I have been given (beta-blockers, etc.) to try and slow my heart down, has not worked. Also, I am an Insomniac! It has to be the Suboxone causing these negative side effects. My doctor and I discussed switching me to Subutex because it does not contain Naloxone. The greatest side effects of Naloxone is rapid heart rate, and sleeplessness (I have both)!!! Has anyone switched from Suboxone to Subutex for this reason? Suboxone has saved my life from addiction, but is causing more heath problems. If you have taken both Suboxone and Subutex, which one would you prefer? Thank You for your time, and God Bless -)
Suboxone/Subutex?
Question posted by firefighterwife on 29 March 2011
Last updated on 8 January 2021
Answers
This also happened to me and I was on too high a dose of subs, if you put how much you were on in your post, I may have missed that. If you taper down, most all of the side effects including the pounding heart will lessen or disappear. Your doctor may have NO idea how to properly taper. You can click on my avatar and look over my profile story to see how I tapered off suboxone. I never took subutex, but the pounding heart thing stopped as I tapered. I took it as a sign I could taper, along with several other signs. Nodding off when I sat for over 5 minutes, having difficulty or hesitation urinating, feeling the suboxone immediately instead of it being gradual over 2 hours, and feeling sort of odd all of the sudden, almost like being high. These were my signs that the brain was healing and I didn't need as much suboxone. If you are on 16 mgs, or even 12, I can almost guarantee you that is too much and you can come down safely and comfortably. Hang in there. Patti
Thanks, Patti! You are exactly correct. I started out on 32 mg.. 4 8/2 mg a day. Now, I am on 16 mg a day. I have tapered and tapered and tapered, it seems. The problem has gotten better w/ each taper, but did not know that "my brain was healing" as you mentioned. So, pretty much I am overdosing myself with the Doctor's permission? I was just telling my Husband that I am ready to taper, and taper quickly (because of the health issues, cost and I want to have a baby in the next couple of years). I want the medication COMPLETELY out of my system before we try. I'm talking months after I quit it!!! It feels good that I'm not alone with the Heart issue. I've asked my Doctor, and he says no-one else is having this problem. However, it started w/ boxes... Go figure???
If you do not mind me asking, how often did you taper and how many mg per taper? Any info. is greatly appreciated, Patti!
Thank you for you response, your time and experience!
I will keep you posted =)
U r inactive, this NO AVATAR TO SEE YOUR TAPER SCHEDULE???
I sure would love to see that tapering information but your inactive. ☹️
I also took suboxone and it caused the same side effects for me. I could not sleep no matter what i did. Also my heart felt like it was going to beat out of my chest. The only thing the md told me to do was not to take the suboxone after 4 in the afternoon. This was not a help to me though unfortunately. I eventually had to stop taking the suboxone and go to pain management clinic. I hope you have better luck. I would definitely try the subutex if it was offered to me. The suboxone clinic i went to did not offer subutex except to pregnant women. I wish you all the luck and keep us posted on what you decide. I also quit taking it due to cost. I had to pay $400.00 out of pocket a month. The medicine was covered on insurance. If the medicine had not been covered on insurance, it would have cost me $900.00 a month. That is crazy, but true. Good luck to you!!
Thank You for your comment! The Clinic I go to only offers Subutex to pregnant women, and those that are "allergic" to Suboxone. However, with a letter from my Cardiologist saying that Suboxone is "possibly" what is causing my Heart problems, I can switch. I have not gotten back into the Cardiologist yet, so I can not tell you the outcome as of now. I will keep you posted, though. I agree with the costs! Even with insurance, I pay $350.00 a month to see the Dr. and $100.00 for the Sublingual Strips. The Clinic does not take insurance (which I think is a Red Flag, but they are Legit). I didn't get insurance until a few months ago. Until then, I was out-of-pocket $1,200.00 a month. YES! I will definately keep you posted. Thanks for you concern and comment =)
I finally go back to my Cardiologist this month... They would not/ could not get me in before my original appointment - GO FIGURE!
Like I said, my Suboxone Dr. has agreed to give me Subutex w/ a note from Cardio. He said that it must state that is it highly "possible" that the Suboxone is causing all of these crazy heart problems.
If I do get the approval from my Cardiologist... My Suboxone Dr. has already worked out a plan for me.
I go to the Suboxone Clinic twice a month. Once, for my bacis appointment; Where I am drug screened, talk to a nurse & then see the Dr. However, anywhere between 14-18 days after my original appointment, I go back for another drug screen and a pill/strip count. It is a law that was passed in my Home state of Kentucky, about a year and a half ago. They say it cuts down on diversion, or selling, sharing, abusing the Suboxone. Either way, it doesn't matter to me.
It is just hectic to have to go when you have a 1st shift job and such, ya know?
Anyhow, he has offered to give me a supply of Subutex that will last until I go for my count (b/c I'm so afraid of how it may be so entirely different). If it is working well for me, he will give me another prescription to continue the month. If I do not take well to it, he is going to put me back on Suboxone for the rest of the month (until my next visit)! I don't know why I am so scared to switch! Any thoughs on that, janem502?
I guess we'll see! But as promised, I am keeping you posted... and will continue to do so. To be honest, I really appreciate your comment/advice to begin with :-)
Keep your fingers crossed for me, please???
Related topics
suboxone, subutex, buprenorphine, naloxone, medication
Further information
- Suboxone uses and warnings
- Subutex uses and warnings
- Buprenorphine uses and warnings
- Naloxone uses and warnings
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