DrugBuyers.Com: Buph?

I can understand why some detox centers don't inject Buprenex, even though that's what its directions call for. Injected buprenorphine can be physically and psychologically addictive. The withdrawals are not as bad as hydro or oxy, but they can easily lead to relapse if temptation is close at hand. So "Use as directed" is not always the best approach, if you can get the ampoules.

Sublingual absorption of the tablets is around 50%. One product insert says it's 55%. I would guess that the liquid Buprenex would be absorbed even less effectively because it will be much harder to keep from swallowing it. Any part of it that's swallowed is almost totally destroyed and inactive. You will definitely absorb more from the tabs if you use mouthwash and brush your teeth before taking it.

The best way to taper down from daily usage is a slow taper of the same drug. I think a lot of people fool themselves big-time when they just substitute one drug dependence for another. They get off one drug and then they have to get off another ... It's an invitation for total relapse.

10% a day is a very fast taper for someone at 120 mg a day of hydro. The higher your intake and the longer you're up there, the more time you will need for the taper. I'd say that if you're taking 120 mg a day of hydro, put a taper schedule on your calendar for a full month (minimum!) and STICK TO IT. The final 4 days should be just 5 mg a day. If you can get down to that level for 4 days and feel OK, then it'd just be the psychological addiction. Going to some Narcotics Anonymous meetings might help you with that. Here's a schedule to get from 120 to 0 a day in 32 days. Your mileage may vary:

days dose-(mg)
1-3 100
4-6 90
7-9 80
10-12 70
13-15 60
16-18 50
19-21 40
22-24 20
25-28 10
28-31 5
32-? 0

Notice that this taper starts off slow and then gets faster as the daily dose is reduced. Your body can handle a more rapid reduction from a lower dose but you'll find yourself eagerly awaiting your daily dose at the end of the month and it will feel really bad that last week. It's mostly psychological at that point but that's not to say you won't feel like Best if kept off the board. Days 22-24 and 28-31 will probably be the hardest, so try to time it so that's not during work days or be able to call in sick. It's psychological. If you can afford it or this has been a long-term thing, then take two full months for this taper and it will be almost totally painless and you'll have a much better chance of going through with it. Have some anti-anxiety meds on hand and also something to help you sleep. Clonidine works too. Good Luck!

Trampy

P.S. I would strongly discourage anyone from self-medicating with an anti-depressant without doctor's advice. You should see a psychiatrist for that. Wellbutrin and Effexor are known to cause anxiety and akathisia, which could trigger a total relapse back to the hydro and hurt you instead of helping you. Depression is not a simple illness with a simple solution.

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Your mileage may vary ...

Edited by Trampy (08/31/03 11:53 PM)