I am going to be transferring from methadone to suboxone - any tips or past experienc

[tallboy31]

Hi I have been on the methadone program for quite some time now, and for the last 2 (roughly) years I have gone from 120mgs per day to 35mgs a day of methadone at a reduction rate of 2.5mgs per month. Its taken quite a while for sure. Anyway I am quite stable but I have started to get some minor withdrawal symptoms which I can control fairly easily just by not getting to anxious and they prescribe me Seroquel XR (Long acting) which actually helps alot, diazepam 3 tabs a day and avanza 30mgs a day at night. They told me to try to wait until I was around at least 40mgs a day of methadone before I try transferring to Suboxone to make it easier etc. Has anyone else here transferred from the methadone program to the suboxone program ? I would just really appreciate to hear what it was like for you? Any tips would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[spork]

Hey there tallboy31. I'm going to move your thread over to Other Drugs where you should be able to get more input on this.

 

[RTrain]

No personal experience, but the general rule with that switch is wait at least 72 hours, preferably more if you can tolerate it. It seems to be the most common cause of precipitated withdrawal with Subs, going off the 'done and onto them. The fact that you are down to 35 mg is very helpful because the rough estimate of the ceiling effects of buprenorphine = 30 mg of 'done. So if you could taper even more it would help ease the transition. I am sure someone out there will be able to give you some real first hand advice, as plenty of people have made this switch.