Buprenorphine

[Loopylegs]

I just got off the phone to my doctor and she's agreed to give me buprenorphine! I just really need to be careful with the gabapentin as she said I have to taper off it to a lower dose, she has given me enough 0.2mgs to increase the dose as needed and is ringing me next Friday to see how I get on, she's also referring me to a neurologist. How do I go about tapering off the gabapentin to as low a dose possible and in the meantime is it safe to take buprenorphine when I'm on 1200mg of gaba, what's the safest way to do this? Thanks in advance!

[SueJohnson]

Reduce by 100 to 200 mg every couple of weeks to avoid withdrawal effects. You might be able to do it faster but if you start getting symptoms like headache, nausea, anxiety, diarrhea, flu-like symptoms, pain, excessive sweating and confusion, then reduce more slowly. There are a several symptoms that can be caused by both the withdrawal and the opioid: dizziness, insomnia and heart palpitations. Unless you have respiratory problems it is safe to take both at the same time.

[Loopylegs in reply to SueJohnson]

Thanks Sue, I have mild asthma, so I'm a little afraid to take it while I'm on the 1200mg dose of gabapentin, I wonder as I'm not on the high dose too long I might be able to reduce to 600mg and take it earlier in the evening and take 0.2mg of buprenorphine at bedtime, I had a dreadful reaction to tramadol with gabapentin but no problem with 60mg of codeine.

[SueJohnson in reply to Loopylegs]

I wouldn't reduce it by that much. Try reducing by 100 mg every day and watch for withdrawal symptoms.

[Loopylegs in reply to SueJohnson]

OK thanks you Sue! Your valued advice is much appreciated x

[Joolsg]

As you had breathing issues with tramadol and Buprenorphine, follow SueJohnson reduction schedule until you're down to 600mg.Then you could start the Buprenorphine and continue reducing gabapentin down to 100mg. You may a small dose of Buprenorphine to counter any opioid wakefulness/anxiety attacks.

Start Buprenorphine 0.2mg at night. Try to use the smallest dose that works.

Have Kwells ready for nausea- it should reduce within a week or two.

Hope it helps you.

The Buprenorphine has to be dissolved under the tongue.

To help dry mouth, you can buy sprays and lozenges from the chemist.

[Loopylegs in reply to Joolsg]

Thanks Joolsg, much appreciated x

[Joolsg]

I've just posted about Buprenorphine versus temgesic. Is your prescription for Buprenorphine OR Temgesic? Buprenorphine is superior for RLS because of its long half life of 24 hours.

[Loopylegs in reply to Joolsg]

It's for buprenorphine