Official Answer. You typically have to wait
12-24 hours after last
using opioids before you start taking Suboxone as a treatment for opioid use disorder. The exact length of time depends on the type of opioid used.
How long do you have to wait to take Subutex?
Subutex needs to be initiated
at least 6 to 12 hours
, or longer, after the last dose of a short-acting opioid, such as heroin. If taken too soon, Subutex could precipitate premature withdrawal symptoms, because Subutex will rapidly displace any opioid that is occupying a mu-opioid receptor.
When is it safe to take Suboxone?
To take Suboxone, a user should
wait until their last dose of any opioid has left their system completely
. Since there are different half-times for opioids, and because it can take longer for drugs to leave the body of some users, it’s recommended to wait until opioid withdrawal symptoms start.
How long after methadone can I take Suboxone?
Patients need to reduce their dose down to thirty to forty milligrams of methadone then take their last dose
72 hours
before taking Suboxone. Both of these tasks can be difficult for a methadone patient. Seventy-two hours can feel like a very long time to go without any opiate replacement therapy.
What medications can you not take with Suboxone?
Drugs that can have negative effects when taken with Suboxone include:
Benzodiazepines
, such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam), Valium (diazepam), Ativan (lorazepam) and Restoril (temazepam). When used improperly, they can result in slowed breathing or even death.
What is the most effective way to take Suboxone film?
- Place buprenorphine-with-naloxone sublingual film under the tongue and keep it there until completely dissolved (4–8 minutes on average).
- Do not swallow, chew or move the film after it is placed under the tongue, as doing any of these makes the medicine less effective.
Can I take Suboxone 24 hours after taking methadone?
The time you should wait after your last drug use varies from person to person but it is typically: At least six hours after last heroin use • Or at least 24 hours after you last took
methadone
You will start to feel the benefit of your first dose Page 4 4 quickly – after as little as 30 minutes.
Is 8mg of Suboxone enough?
On Day 1, an induction dosage of up to
8 mg/2 mg
SUBOXONE sublingual film is recommended.
Can I take gabapentin while on Suboxone?
When you take Suboxone
®
and gabapentin together without a doctor’s approval, you put yourself at
great risk
. Research on gabapentin and other CNS depressants shows that they can increase the risk of opioid overdose.
Can you take ibuprofen while on Suboxone?
No interactions were found
between ibuprofen and Suboxone. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
Is Suboxone used to treat chronic pain?
It is important to reiterate that Suboxone is approved in the United States for treatment
of opioid addiction
and not for chronic pain. A lower-dose transdermal formulation of buprenorphine (Butrans) is available for the management of moderate to severe chronic pain.
Is it better to spit or swallow Suboxone?
It is not absorbed in the gut and will only cause constipation or nausea. After about a minute, most of it will dissolve. You will have some chalky residue left over (mostly the naloxone), spit it out, then you may want to rinse and spit.
Should you swallow Suboxone after it dissolves?
After it dissolves, hold the taste in your mouth for at least 20 minutes for it to be most effective. Remember: Spitting, chewing, or
swallowing Suboxone is not recommended
.
Is it OK to cut Suboxone film in half?
SUBOXONE sublingual film must be administered whole.
Do not cut, chew
, or swallow SUBOXONE sublingual film. Advise patients not to eat or drink anything until the film is completely dissolved.
Is Subutex the same as methadone?
Methadone is a Schedule II drug in the U.S., which highlights the potential for its abuse, while
Subutex is Schedule III
. Most people stay on methadone for a minimum of 12 months, but Subutex while the duration of use can vary, it tends to be more short-term.
