My GPs views on buprenorphine

[Simkin]

My doctor says he is not averse to me moving to buprenorphine from oxycontin once he has checked everything out, so he is going to read the Mayo Clinic report etc that you recommended.However on looking up buprenorphine he can only find patches (you all say not successful) or 2mg tablets which he says is too high for rls.

I told him the Americans cut theirs into quarters which he feels (and I agree) is not entirely satisfactory.

I then told him that my UK friends take 0.2 buprenorphine tablets & up the dose as necessary.

He would like to see a photo of the packet of 0.2mg buprenorphine so he can try & source them for me.

Jules, would it be possible (& I don't know if it would work on this type of forum?) For you to take a photo of your 0.2mg packet & post it on this forum so I can send the picture to my GP?

Simkin

[Joolsg]

Photo attached. And link to where your GP can see all Buprenorphine sub lingual UK pills. I use Accord and cut in half. They work best for me out of all brands.bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/bupre...

Photo

[Simkin in reply to Joolsg]

Thank you so much Joolsg. I have sent photo & info to my GP.Very grateful for your speedy reply.

All the best, Simkin

[Jules1953]

Here in Australia we have Temgesic, which is a low dose of Buprenorphine. It is in a red box. Comes in 200mcg or 0.2mg of Buprenorphine . They are a small white tablet and placed under the tongue to dissolve. I take 2 each evening.

[Simkin in reply to Jules1953]

Interesting.

[Joolsg in reply to Jules1953]

We have Temgesic 0.2mg in the UK.as well. It also comes in 0.4mg.

[Ced60]

I am having massive issue getting hold of the 0.2mg sublingual tablets this week in the UK … I’ve tried maybe 30 different chemists now ..

[Simkin in reply to Ced60]

Oh that does not bode well.

[Joolsg in reply to Ced60]

Can you get 0.4mg and cut in half? There are far more brands making the 0.4mg pill. Accord and Sandoz are larger than morningside and easier to cut. Only Temgesic & Tephine come in 0.2mg, but there are 13 brands of 0.4mg, including Temgesic and Tephine.List of suppliers/brands attached.

bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/bupre...

[Ced60 in reply to Joolsg]

Hi Joolsg - good idea thanks I’ll speak to my GP tomorrow and ask them to change the script

[RCHD]

What’s wrong with cutting it into quarters?

[Simkin in reply to RCHD]

Nothing if you are good at cutting tablets fairly. In my experience I find it difficult to cut in even quarters

[RCHD in reply to Simkin]

I was talking about cutting the film, not tablets.

[Simkin in reply to RCHD]

Ah! I was only having a joke against myself because I am known amongst all our friends that I can't even cut a loaf of bread straight, let alone the film over tablets!

[RCHD in reply to Simkin]

It’s pretty easy ..,much easier than a tablet for sure. My husband is doing this. It also allows you to eventually cut smaller and smaller pieces.

[Simkin in reply to RCHD]

Ah that's useful to know. Thanks.

[RCHD in reply to Simkin]

Of course yes. If people don’t know this is available it’s much better…

[Jelbea in reply to Simkin]

RCHD is not talking about tablets. She/He is referring to a film which adheres to the inside of your cheek while it dissolves. It is probably Belbucca which may not be available in UK. RCHD is in US. I take 800 mcg bup daily in divided doses with good help. I can still get 200 mcg strength. Good luck

[Simkin in reply to Jelbea]

Ah I was wondering!

[DogBella in reply to Simkin]

Are you using a pill cutter?

[Simkin in reply to DogBella]

Good idea.

[Shumbah in reply to Simkin]

Nothing just doctors hate you playing with opioid doses so best just to lie and say you take the whole dose .

Having said that Subutex 2mg not mcg is very very strong even a pinhead worked for me first night.I tell everyone to start on a pinhead dose and increase until symptoms case Even with buprenorphine depending on activity and trigger foods that it can push your dose up. Sugar and alcohol have a big effect on the brain.

I’ve been doing that for nearly 4 years. My nightly dose can go from if I’m sick let’s say Covid I might need near the full does 2 mg Buprenorphine /Subutex. My dose has on,y been that high 5 times in nearly 4 years.

Then I can sit for a month a half or even a quarter or big day on my legs will push my dose up to 3/4

The weirdest thing is if I do a really turbulent long hall flight I can go without subutex for 2 days then 3rd day I take a pin had again and it quickly goes goes to my regular dose .

I know a lot of people don’t have any medical knowledge and that makes it hard for doctors so they have one rule DONT PLAY with your medication.

[Marlayna67]

I love to see the help provided amongst the members here. 😍

[Simkin in reply to Marlayna67]

I know it's brilliant & there are so many choices that I don't know which way to turn.Hopefully my doctor will!

It sounds as if I suggest we go for the 0.4 Accord.

Simkin. United Kingdom!

[Marlayna67 in reply to Simkin]

I am also interested in getting off oxydodone and going to bu. I feel like oxy is ruining my brain.

[Shumbah in reply to Marlayna67]

Oxy gave me full blown memory loss I became a China doll . I would stand next to my family and they would be talking I could not engage in the conversations because I could not remember anything they where saying.

[discgolfrules]

I was on Norco, a mild opiate for 2 years, basically hydrocodone without the tylenol. Treated the symptoms, did what it was suppossed to. After they no longer worked and it was time to increase I did not want to continue going to the next level opiate. I found a dopamine agonist that worked and is still woking today. However dopamine agonists have different challenges, I feel they are still the correct medication, for now.

[ziggypiggy]

Keep us updated A lot of us are thinking of doing the same thing. I take oycontin. It works but there are downsides. On occasion i have mentioned buprenorphine to my doctor just to feel out his response. He was just kind of of indifferent to the suggestion.

Its such a tough call asking to switch an opioid, as many have pointed out doctors can be unpredictable in there response and the anxiety is always there to not rock the boat to hard.

Best of luck.

[Simkin in reply to ziggypiggy]

Am waiting to hear back from my doc who is doing his own research.

[ziggypiggy in reply to Simkin]

Great I hope he comes up for a solution for you and maybe for others here in America. Fingers crossed.

[Simkin in reply to ziggypiggy]

Thanks. He is ordering the buprenorphine (with no fuss) for me so when it arrives I will report back.Ziggy Piggy just to say I am in the UK.

[Peaceofmindpls]

I think the tablets are/ Def were called temegisic, may not be the right spelling, good luck and sounds promising x