Leaving Ropinirole for Buprenorphine - Do I needed to ease off R first?

[B534967]

Hello, Quick question. If I am able to have my doctor prescribe Buprenorphine will I need to slowly come off Ropinirole while taking Buprenorphine or can I just stop Ropinirole? I see the doctor first week of January and think I could start reducing Ropinirole now but would rather not do it over the holidays.... Any info will be appreciated. Also any one want to compare Methadone VS Buprenorphine for me?

B534967

[Madlegs1]

Partly depends on what dose you were on and for how long. If a small dose for a few weeks, then the opiate should mask most withdrawals.If longer and higher dose, then it might be an idea to ease off slowly but take the Buprenorphine at same time.

It's all about allowing your body to adjust to the shock of going without something nice, suddenly or slowly.

Cheers.

[B534967 in reply to Madlegs1]

Thank you for the reply. I have been taking Ropinirole fot 10 months. Started at .25 and it has been about eveey 75 days needing more now at 1.5 mg and sometimes 1.75. Sine I see the augmentation happening I have sought and found a local neurologist who works with Buprenorphine, I am hopeful he will prescribe. I also seal with OCD and am hopeful it will help with that as well. Apt is Jan 7 so I am trying to be proactive at this point in time. Thanks again and warm regards. B534967

[B534967 in reply to B534967]

Sorry about the spelling, using phone keyboard is not my forte. B

[LotteM in reply to B534967]

Never mind about the spelling, B, it is still legible.

Given your ropinirole history and the OCD I think it would be very wise not to stop the ropinirole suddenly. For reasons Madlegs gave you. I don't know about your current symptoms. If you think you have some 'room to spare' them you could start reducing with a half or maybe even quarter 0.25mg tablet and see how things work out. If not, simply wait until January. In any case, try not to increase the ropinirole.

For your consultation, do het yourself informed about iron and the need for high blood values, especially ferritin and -more recently become clear- percentage transferrin saturation. Get your blood drawn first and then, if values are not high, you can take otc iron bisglycinate once every other day on an empty stomach (eg before bed). This way you raise your iron as fast as taking it 3x or once daily but with far less stomach problems.

[B534967 in reply to LotteM]

Thank you for the good advice. I don't know if I can get the 'order' for the blood work before the appointment, but will check it out. Regards, B

[m1946]

As I understand it Buprenorphine is an opioid and as such would normally be taken to ease the Ropinirole withdrawal symptoms? So it would seem one would take it with Ropinirole until a substitute is found for Ropinirole a Dopamine AgonistWhat is your current Ropinirole prescription?

[B534967 in reply to m1946]

I am taking 1.5 mg one hour before bed...

[Ciduoc]

I would suggest you slowly go off your Ropinerole while taking your new medication.

[B534967]

Will do, assuming the Neurologist will do the Rx for me on January 7th. Thanks - B