Buprenorphine patches effectivity and reliability

[davchar23]

As I have posted several times before I have reached a stage in my recovery from DA augmentation where my RLS is under control but I am unable to satisfactorily deal with the side effects of buprenorphine patches.

I find it very difficult to judge whether the severe nausea I suffer as a side effect is caused by too much buprenorphine entering my system or that some of the patches simple do not do what it says on the packet.

The advantage of a patch is that it is supposed to put a steady even flow into the system every and each hour. Whilst sometimes I believe this does happen there are many instances where it doesn't and the result is not that RLS breaks through but that the side effects (mainly nausea) cause distress. I wonder if some patches are faulty and only last 2-3 days at full effectivity or that the "feed" into the system varies by factors such as heat, moisture or even activity.

I would appreciate fellow users experience etc

Best regards

Davchar23

[Kakally]

I certainly find the patch doesn’t last the 7 days.

I therefore have 2 of the lower dose patches on all the time . . One applied on a Saturday and the other on a Tuesday. The extra midweek boost seems to keep a more even effect of the buprenorphine (Butec) throughout the week.

My GPs’ pharmacy didn’t like it but are ‘allowing’ it….

[davchar23 in reply to Kakally]

Dear Kalally,

Thank you for your response. I had tried the two patch route before but needed 2x 7.5mcg/hr patches and that meant cutting a 15mcg/hr (I need about 0.5mg/day to block RLS) and the cut patches were "all over the place" when it came to length of effectivity. However your comment has made me think about it again.

What size of patch do you use? Do you experience any withdrawal symptoms such as hot cold sweats and agitation if you let a patch "run" too long?

Kind regards

davchar

[Kakally in reply to davchar23]

My patches are 5 microgm per hour.

I had tried cutting patches in half before but it never worked well. The ‘5’s I think are the lowest dose , so I am using 10 microgm per week .

I’m not sure if financially 3 x 5s would work , placing them one on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for example…?

My side effects are slight nausea that varies a bit and I just put up with it.i am more sweaty which I find unacceptable 😱, but put up with it and use ‘wipes’ and perfume as necessary🤣. Also I feel like a dozy person very often , and I fall asleep easily if I sit down in the morning or evening. This is particularly annoying as I love doing long distance walking🤣.

Anyway I’m happy to/tolerate a fair amount of side effects to be free from the augmentation produced torture RLS that I used to have…

I do hope a bit more juggling or fiddling about with the patches works ok for you and maybe others have ideas , cannabis or other, to help with your agitation etc.

[JunieBJones in reply to Kakally]

Are you using anything for the nausea? If I'm nauseated, I often go into a sweat. I have used Zofran 4 or 8mg sublingual occasionally, it seems to be a friendly drug. I agree that there's a lapse between the new and old patch, I'm looking into your plan. Best wishes to you.

[Kakally in reply to JunieBJones]

I mostly put up with the slight nausea. A couple of times it has been bad and I took ondansetron which I was fortunate to have.

The sweating is just unpleasant as I don’t think I’m usually a sweaty person and I feel a bit smelly🤪.

I just have wipes available and then my perfume (Clinique Happy….!🤣) it keeps me reasonably sweet smelling

🤗

[davchar23 in reply to JunieBJones]

Dear JunieBJones,

I have tried Zofran and ondansetron unsuccessfully and at my next GP appointment I intend to repeat my request for something to easy the agitation side effect mentioned n my post. I am almost convinced that the side effects are mainly caused by withdrawal issues when the patches start to tail off and the level of buprenorphine in my system drops below the level that nausea (but not RLS) trips in.

Kind regards

Davchar

[davchar23 in reply to Kakally]

Dear Kakally,

Thanks your message much appreciated

I think form your comments our situations with side effects are very similar apart from the size of the patches.

My more recent "juggling" seems to indicate that the nausea and hot/cold sweats comes from the level of buprenorphine in my system falling below a level to cause withdrawal symptoms but not low enough to let RLS through. You are right that 5mcg/hr is smallest patch available

I agree that whilst the side effects are unpleasant I prefer them to having no sleep and RLS. I will keep experimenting and post accordingly

Kind regards

Davchar

[Kakally in reply to davchar23]

Best wishes…🤗

[JustVisiting23]

is methadone available to you?

[davchar23 in reply to JustVisiting23]

Thanks your comment but my GP was not prepared to prescribe methadone and anyway I suspect that would have similar side effects?

Davchar

[JustVisiting23 in reply to davchar23]

From what I’ve read here and from other sources, it appears that Methadone has less adverse GI effects vs. Buprenorphine.

[4Curiousosity]

While it's not always easy, I cut the 2 mg pills into tiny pieces (sometimes into dust) and try my best to keep it at a 1/4mg - 1/2 mg daily dose. At lease I feel I have some control anf no longer get the nausea.