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Bupe buprenorphine patches

The bupe patches (5mcg) didn't work for me. They put me on it first for my ankylosing spondylitis, but it was marginally better than a lidocaine patch haha. I'm glad to hear it works for other people though. I was really surprised when my doc put me on it first thing in pain management. Now that I'm on hydrocodone, I don't have to pay like 250$ per month for meds and my pain is some what in check (I don't think anything will ever totally work). My bf took my used patches by cutting off the matrix and putting them in his mouth, which he was definitely effected by since he has 0 opiate tolerance. I can't imagine them being that good for anyone wanting to use it for a high, unless they are opiate naive, depending on the dose.
 
I was on a patch (5) for 7 days and then new patch...I only did this for 1 month. I have RA and they weren't helpful. My pain specialist has me on MS Contin (morphine ER, 2X a day) and oxycodone (no acetaminophen - 10mg, 4X a day). I also inject Humira (immunosuppressant) once every 2 weeks. I'm feeling 10X better now. I'm back to running 50 miles a week and working as a Chef 40 hours a week. My joints were so swollen and painful before these changes...I wasn't able to run and had to quit my job of 4.5 years.
 
There is little to no antagonistic blockage with buprenorphine in my experience when the dose is low less than 2mg to 4mg per 24 hours, give or take but that varies from person to person
 
I have a question I was just perscribed Butrans patches for pain management they also have been helping me with opiate withdrawal. I keep trading that people will chew the old patch after it is removed to get the most use out of each patch. I am not interested in long extraction processes I just want to know if I'm wearing 20mcg patch and I chew a 4-5 day old patch (mine are supposed to last for 7) can I swallow when I chew it or will it make me sick like subs?
 
Hi Guys

Just joined bluelight so I can ask some q's regarding Endone and Norspan.

I've been taking (recreational use) Endone (oxy) at 100- 120mg per day for the last year or so . Take around 15-20mg at a time , up to 5 or 6 times a day just to stay normal. Sometimes I'd take more if I was in a partying mood ( which was too often )

I have been given some Norspan 10 patches by a friend who says they helped him got off oxy addiction without full on withdrawals.

I'm just not sure how to use the patch and my friend is out of contact for a few weeks .

I want to quit the Endone big time and get my life back to normal !

So I took my last Endone dose (15mg) last night at 9:30 . Woke up this morning at about 6:30 with the usual need to take more oxy ( early WD starting) . I have no oxy , so no temptation there , but also no escape plan if the patches don't work . I figure not having any oxy around is the only way to go .

I decided to put on the Norspan patch around 8am when my Wds were well and truly starting to kick in . They offered no immediate relief that I could tell and still 5 hours later I've still cold sweats and other WD symptoms from no oxy . Very emotional also , which is unusual for me .

My question is when will the patch start working "properly" ? as I've heard conflicting reports on the web as to how fast they kick in and start to help
With the withdrawals ?

Anyone with experience with these patches , please feel free to reply.

I'm going to stick with wearing the patch no matter what and hope it helps gets me off the oxy . If not , well I'll just have to take the WDs on the chin and get clean the old fashion way .
 
Update :

- Norspan 10 patch not high enough dose for my 100mg+ Oxy daily dosage habit - put on another Norspan 10 patch during the evening to make it a Norspan 20 dose equivalent .

- can help activate the patches by taking a short hot shower a few times a night ( can feel it working better straight away)

- ended up getting 5 hours sleep total last night , which ain't bad for a first night on withdrawals . Bit of sweating and a slight headache , but fairly comfortable night .

- woke up this morning and it's a whole new ballgame .... Very little withdrawals effects , don't feel high (maybe a slight buzz , but that might just be the coffee) , don't have any desire to get high , energy levels are good , thoughts are clear and concise. Didn't eat much yesterday and appetite still not returned yet . Head ache gone , sweats almost gone .

Early days still , but so far the patches are doing as hoped and I'm feeling very optimistic about the road ahead .

Will keep updates coming , as I'm sure there are others out there curios about how these patches work and the timelines / effects involved .

So far , I'd recommend to anyone that has had enough of their habit to give this a go . My guess is you'll never look back . First 10-15 hours are a bit rough , but that's nothing for the rewards.

My major concern is what the Wds will be like coming off these patches ? But they seem like they'll be easy to tapper down from ( compared to pills)
 
Afternoon update :

Had a great day of energy with no pain or WDs at all . Still no cravings for oxy at all . The enjoyment of feeling like a "normal" person again is priceless . No big highs (apart from a few good laughs with friends) but no big lows either . Didn't gobble down $100 bucks worth of oxy either ... Wallet is thankful ! Win win .

If patches can keep me on the even keel (helping with my depression and anxiety also I think ) and the taper off goes well , I should be oxy and patch free in a few months or less .

Going to do two weeks on Norspan 20 , then drop to 10 for a week , then down to 5 for one week , then no more patches , just a few nurofen if needed until clean and home free .
 
Day 3 - midday

No dramas at all . Still feeling great with no WDs or cravings . Appetite returned and eating well again .

One of the main concerns I had coming off oxy was that life would be "boring" or just very plain and average .... Let me tell ya .... Life is far more interesting when your able to experience it properly and not through the lense of intoxication and being high . Starting to regain interest in old hobbies and exercise .

Great sleep last night from 9:30pm to 5:30am , no sweats , no restless legs , no headache . Woke up feeling like I'd had my first proper sleep in ages. .

Bring on day 4 !
 
Day 4 - still on an even keel and smooth sailing . Don't feel high , don't feel like getting high . Just feel normal still and loving all the shit I'm getting done ( that I've been putting off ) .

Been reading up on the WDs from Norspan patches ( Bupe ) and from what I gather , it no picnic , but can be made easier with a diligent taper down to the minimum dose before jumping off ( and having the right WD meds ready and at my disposal) . Pretty keen to just try natural meds tho , no heavy stuff .

At the end of the day , these patches make life way more manageable than taking oxy pills . So even if some significant WDs lay ahead of me , I think the habit changing nature of these patches will help make my quitting last forever. . .

For me , it's all about breaking the cycle of taking pills of one kind or another , which I've been doing for over 14 years . All started with nurofen plus for some post op pain, then some panadiene forte , and all the way to a 120mg + / day oxy habit . I could see where the oxy habit was headed too , as I went from 40mg a day to 120mg a day in just a few months . Was getting expensive and my work and home life was suffering big time !

My other half ( who knows nothing about my addiction) is wondering if I'm taking NZT ! (Like off that limitless movie) because I'm so super motivated now compared to how I usually am !

I know Bupe is a safety net , not a long term solution though , so being very careful how I treat these patches ( with upmost respect and discipline ).

Will begin my first taper stage next week (from Norspan20 down to a 10) , so I'll let you all know how it goes . Till then....
 
First tapper from 20mc to 10mc successful and with minimal side effect . First day had a few headaches but nothing a few nurofen couldn't get rid off .

Going to try 5mc tapper in 2 weeks .

Life is almost back to normal , even started playing tennis again ! Can't believe how much better this is than a crappy oxy addiction . Even if these patches were to help someone just replace oxy addiction for a bupe addiction , the bupe addiction gives you WAY better quality of life than a big oxy habit . Cheaper too! You won't get " high" , but you become a functional-productive person again , and that's far more rewarding than chasing a fleeting high ....
 
I hear that that plugging them works pretty good. I know a girl who does them rectally and she said she gets the nods pretty good, but I haven't had the heart to try it. Maybe in a time of need I'll give it a go, but sublingual is supposed to be the best ROA. That's what my doc told me anyway.
 
Mumzly said:
I hear that that plugging them works pretty good. I know a girl who does them rectally and she said she gets the nods pretty good, but I haven't had the heart to try it. Maybe in a time of need I'll give it a go, but sublingual is supposed to be the best ROA. That's what my doc told me anyway.
Click to expand...
Troll a doctor wouldn't suggest using a patch any other way than directed.

Bupe patches are not abusable do not try.
 
ok, im quite concerned here as im getting the impression that Butrans patch will work against my 15mg oxycodone q6hr...im currently awaiting insurance approval and then to start 10mcg/hr patch (getting rid of zohydro 50mg/2 x's d) but am to keep using the 15mg oxy for breakthough/as needed every 6 hrs as well as klonopin 1-2mg at night for sleep...oh, also take Wellbutrin 450mg for depression - i guess what im asking is isnt this patch going to counteract pretty much everything else? then im gonna have no pain relief and be in WD from the oxy/klonopin?

thanks for any help as after reading all 7pgs of this thread i am thoroughly confused....much much thx in advance for any help/insight
 
societalshift said:
ok, im quite concerned here as im getting the impression that Butrans patch will work against my 15mg oxycodone q6hr...im currently awaiting insurance approval and then to start 10mcg/hr patch (getting rid of zohydro 50mg/2 x's d) but am to keep using the 15mg oxy for breakthough/as needed every 6 hrs as well as klonopin 1-2mg at night for sleep...oh, also take Wellbutrin 450mg for depression - i guess what im asking is isnt this patch going to counteract pretty much everything else? then im gonna have no pain relief and be in WD from the oxy/klonopin?

thanks for any help as after reading all 7pgs of this thread i am thoroughly confused....much much thx in advance for any help/insight
Click to expand...

You need not be worried...
It is best to start and this is stated in the rules on a 5 microgmshr patch not 10 just for one week...then upping it to the 10
At 5 you will still feel your meds all of them and you wont go into WD because you dont have enough oxy ect in you...for that to happen you must have a pretty big habit like Methadone Fent or a large amount of oxy norco ect...50 pills a day and unless you are fibbing about the amount there wont be a problemo !! it will not affect the phyc drugs at all its not blockaide
At 10 mg butrans you will feel the oxy and co a bit less but dont forget you will now have the patch which will cover any pain you feel...
To cut it short you will be fine...
I am on a 20 micro patch and stilll feel my oxy
Just do as I say or if you dont belive me...do the research and start at 5mg patch
Get you're doc to look it up...and if he wont be in that cut patch in half it is only for one week until you're body adjusts
Dont forget to tape down cut side
Less is more with butrans
I would say good luck but you wont need it ! Cheers Stell [BTW 6 years on the patches and I came off Done and Fent !! so I do know]
 
WHAT TO DO WITH USED NORSPAN OR BUTRANS PATCHES
I am not sure where to put this info BUT it is important...
Perhaps someone can copy and paste parts of it so that any time someone needs help for this particular thread it can be added
It is easy enough to loose a patch or mis use a patch and all of a sudden you are either low or out and you face WD
Let me tell you Butrans or Norspan patch WD is not pleasant
It has a long half life so WD dont even start until 3 days after removal of patch and last about 2 to 3 weeks not like oxy 4 or 5 days
What to do...I have read so much Bull$#t on here about soaking in ethanol or whiskey putting in microwave for 15 mins [do not do this !! please ]
We all take off our old patches and wonder how much Bupe is still in them .....a lot is all I can say
Now tell me all you fancy ways to extract all the wasted goodness again but you will kill yourselves using some of these methods
All you have to do is this...
Step one : Remove old patch cut out the middle area the matrix...its not easy to see but you can do it discard plaster part and you are left with a small square size depends on what size patch you are using 20mg being the biggest
Step two:cut this square into smaller strips at least 10 strips usually with bigger sizes around 30...be careful as they are still a bit sticky and easy to loose
Step three: Pop strips in a small glass a shot glass even a vit bottle with lid just make sure its glass
Step four : Add about 10 to 20 mls of water more or less it is not precise enough to cover strips and a bit make sure strips are not glued together but are moving freely in water *Note I use boiling water
Step five :Add a splash of vinegar go by how much water you are using...use about 1/4 vinegar *NOTE apple cider vinegar is best but you can use any white brown but not balsamic !!
NOTE* Vinegar is a mild acid that helps draw out the Bupe left on patch
Step six:Pop in Microwave for say 23 sec on high just long enough for the mixture to blend
Step seven: store in cool place for at least 3 days soaking...you can top up water a bit as it evaporates and it will go down a bit each day
Rotate this method with all your old patches...or just keep adding more strips and water and vinegar to brew
Use your brains as to how much water how much vinegar you will soon find out what is best...
Now you can use this...how ? you ask
Just take a tiny sip and swirl around your mouth leave it in for as long as you can 15 mins is best swallow [I swallow] or spit out
You can also plug this for even better results but be warned the vineger is an irritant but it can be done
**WARNING !!!!! Do not IV this mixture it will kill you all that bacteria and vinegar JUST DONT anything sitting for 3 days gathers dust mould and God only knows
Now this works !! I have been doing it for years...I suppose you could also soak patches in say Vodka but best not to be drunk I think
There really is no need for ethanol or menthol or 100% proof alcohol this way is much better and much safer and you dont need to worry about WD if you run out early
Cheers Stell
 
Any experience getting off of butrans patches? I've been on the 10mcg/hr patch plus 2x 5mg hydro (plus some recreational oxy on the weekends) for just shy of a year now, my pain is back in control to the extent I feel like I can jump off the meds again and get back to a clear head. Unfortunately, I tried taking off the patch a couple weeks ago on a Friday, said a farewell to opiates by spending the weekend shooting some dope- which ran out by Sunday. Monday was fine, but Tuesday morning started feeling the classic W/Ds. These increased over the course of the day to where I took 6 5mg vicodin and chewed a 1/4 old patch and they just kept getting stronger. This frightened me so at about 10pm I put on a patch and was gravy by the next morning. Now, this was two weeks+ ago. I stayed off the hydro for the most part, have about 15 left, a few old patches, and two fresh ones left. I need to get a taper plan together as I haven't made another PM appointment, and due to another story for another day, I don't think I will. I've seen some convoluted, and not well explained, extraction methods on here. The long and short of them seems to be an ethanol dilution + heat + time equals some extracted bupe... just throwing some old patches in there and having a mystery solvent isn't going to help me taper properly. I usually can function through a relatively quick taper but I'm a busy graduate student with a full time job so I need to go a slower route this time around to ensure I don't mess up my final semester, or slack at work.

My plan was to cut up the remaining two patches after removing the gel matrix from the adhesive back (keeping them sealed until they needed to be cut). Whether I do an extraction on these incrementally (like take a measured slice, add to a solution and extract) or just chew I'm not sure, thus I'm here for recommendations / best practices. Perhaps with an extraction method, I could stretch these two patches longer than I could just chewing them, thus a more prolonged and softer landing. Also considering maybe using Kratom & Kava as a supplement, but that may be for another thread. Hell, this whole thing may be better placed in another thread, but since we are talking about Butrans patches as the problem child, I figured this is a good spot to start.

Cheers to first responders ;-) thanks everyone
 
Ok so... I've been extracting the bupe out of these patches on an off (more on than off!) for year's now and once you know how to it isn't hard but i don't condone it at all as you are injecting a lot of adhesive along with the bupe. I've missed a few times when i thought i was in and a couple of those time's I had to go to hospital with cellulitis starting to form and once missed in my bicep and the whole area was numb and hard for well over a month or two but I'm a drug addict so I keep doing it!
I have a bupe habit as i am on 32mgs of Suboxone a day and these patches still make me nod hard on these patches but not as hard as I use to. I don't really want to reveal my method of extracting bupe out of these patches as i don't condone it but if anyone is trying and can't I'm all about harm min so i suppose i could if anyone wants to know.
Just off subject i can tell you that the naloxone in Suboxone is completely inert as I've had naltrexone implants over the past and the only opioid that will work on top of them is bupe as it completely kicks the naltrexone off your receptors and competes with naltrexone and then when the bupe has worn off the naltrexone from my implants sets back into the mu receptor! I know there is a lot of controversy about that and from experience and knowledge from my implant doctor this is the case.
 
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