buprenorphine dose

[707twitcher]

I’m in the US, and just started a Suboxone Rx two weeks ago at dosage of 2/.5. I’d like to get lower dosage if I can, but I don’t see any US companies advertising the .2/.05 tablets that you have in UK.

I’ve found that using 1/4 strip every other day works fine for me. I assume the long half-life (37 hours) explains why every other day works. But cutting the strips even smaller would be difficult. I suspect my side effects would be milder at lower, daily dose.

Anyone else doing the every other day routine?

[SteveWess]

I started Suboxone 8 months ago, after going through the hell of augmentation due to 17 years on Pramaprexol. I tried nearly every other solution with limited success until I learned about Suboxone from this website.

I began with cutting the film in half, which was very strong and eliminated all RLS. I didn't like some anxiety I was feeling periodically (although not sure this Suboxone caused it), so I tried reducing.

I learned that at smaller dosages, my diet has a significant impact on the RLS, especially sugar. I now generally take 1/6th of a film. When I have a real clean diet, I can get by with 1/8th film. I use a razor blade to cut them, but I know of no other solution. I live in Florida.

I have tried taking it every other day, I just reduce the daily dosage.

Did you augment on a dopamine agonist previously?

[707twitcher in reply to SteveWess]

Yes - I was on Pramipexole for 12 years. My dosage was only .25mg daily except when triggered by a salty meal. Then I would double it. But when augmentation started I had to triple it to .75mg. I appear to be very fortunate that eliminating Pramipexole went as smoothly for me as it did (thanks to buprenorphine and cannabis). And strangely, I can handle a salty meal without needing to add anything, even when it is an "other" day and I don't take any buprenorphine.

Thanks for the info.

[SteveWess in reply to 707twitcher]

What are your side effects from Suboxone?

[707twitcher in reply to SteveWess]

I'm not entirely sure what is due to suboxone vs pregabalin. I was taking 75mg pregab twice a day for 2+ weeks; then once a day for a couple days, then none for the last couple days. I assume that tapering off this wasn't problematic because I wasn't on it long. I plan on giving it a few more weeks to purge Pramipexole from my body, then re-introduce pregab and see if I can eliminate suboxone. That being said, the symptoms that could be attributable to either or both are constipation and balance issues. The other symptom which is likely just suboxone is itching - scalp, face, back, Heavier on days when I take suboxone. I've also been pretty fatigued recently, even though I'm sleeping better. Not sure if that's related to the drugs or not?

[teakabeagle in reply to 707twitcher]

At the higher does Buprenorphine will cause it hing as all opiods( even partial opioids) will cause itching. I take .4 mg and don’t jave it hi g, but anything above that I did have it hing. I had fatigue for a few months even though I was sleeping great, then it gradually improved.

[shaughnna]

I never thought about taking it that way. I use to have severe RLS every night, but since taking suboxone 2.5, now I only get symptoms several times a week. The half life you mentioned makes sense. Maybe that’s why I no longer get it every night.

Shaughnna

[707twitcher in reply to shaughnna]

are you taking anything else? I wouldn’t stop trying things if you’re still bothered a few times a week. Are you taking a full 2mg/.5mg strip every night? Have you tried adding Pregabalin? How about iron supplements? I think an iron supplement right before bed on an empty stomach has helped me.

[shaughnna in reply to 707twitcher]

I,m taking magnesium supplements. I only take 2.5 of suboxone IF I get symptoms and I only get symptoms s about 3 times a week. That’s when I take 2.5 of suboxone.

[Johnson326]

I have begun to lose rather large chunks of teeth and I have read that buprenorphine does cause tooth problems.

[707twitcher in reply to Johnson326]

after how long on buprenorphine? what dose? I've seen some warnings not to brush your teeth wihin an hour of taking it - it must affect the enamel?

[SueJohnson in reply to Johnson326]

There are several things you can do. Joolsg says the main cause is dry mouth and it is the lack of saliva. Try chewing gum or look for anything that will increase saliva. Other ideas are to keep the tablet under the tongue and away from the teeth. Or trying a baking soda water or something that is alkaline, or a baking soda rinse followed by followed by a mouthwash called CloSys.

[Johnson326 in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you Sue for the good tips.

[shaughnna in reply to Johnson326]

the best being rinsing after you take it or even brushing

[shaughnna in reply to Johnson326]

It is true. There are many lawyer handling cases and class action law suits.

[Johnson326]

It's probably been going on three years since I switched from oxycodone to suboxone 2mg. that I normally cut in half.