DrugBuyers.Com: subutex

Subutex is buprenorphine.
Suboxone is buprenorphine and naloxone.
In short naloxone is the drug used to block opiates from getting into the receptors, and will make one very ill if taken with opiates.
HOWEVER, it is not well absorbed sublingually, which is how suboxone is prescribed. (otherwise the sub itself could make you ill)
Now the buprenorphine is very long lasting (37 hour half life) and binds tightly to opiate receptors. SO while many think that the naloxone will keep one from 'getting high' off opiates, it is actually the sub, in whatever formulation that is taken.

In my experience, I was averaging 200 mgs of hydro a day, and the first 2 mg of suboxone took away all w/d, and 4 mgs left me feelig great, mentally and physically. Unfortunately, your body adapts quickly to sub, especially at larger doses, so that initial feeling of well being may not last for most people. Also, while a lower dose seems to give most a 'lift', not a high, just a good, healthy feeling, but may not block hydro cravings for addicts. Higher doses don't seem to provide that initial 'lift', but seem to block hydro cravings better.

The problem is in the decision of whether to use the sub for a quick taper or for maintenance.
If you don't fear relapse, a quick 7-10 day taper is probably advisable. Those that fear relapse, maintenance is probably a more reasonable treatment.

Two things to consider;

First, Sub completely blocks opiates for a long time. For some it is only 24-48 hours, others report much longer times.
I have went off the sub for 5 days and still could not feel a 40 to 50 mg dose of hydro.

Second; it appears that you become addicted to sub somewhere around the 21 to 30 day mark, and sub itself has w/d. For most it is milder than opiates, but longer in duration, especially the malaise and depression. The longer you are on it, and the higher your dose, the harsher and longer the w/d will be. MOST doctors seem to think that sub has little or no w/d if tapered correctly, but I have only heard of 1 or 2 people that agree.

Oh, and of course I am not a medical professional, just a suboxone patient. I attend bi-weekly buprenorphine support groups at the Medical University that I am being treated at. So I am only citing the experiences of the 30-40 group members that attend with me.

--------------------
~I'll quit procrastinating tomorrow~
;P~
~Yeppers~