Suboxone more effective than methadone for addicts hooked on OxyContin

[23536]

WINNIPEG -- Addiction experts say the Manitoba government should pay for a medication that potentially could save lives and help young Manitobans hooked on powerful narcotics such as OxyContin curb their drug abuse.

Dr. Lindy Lee, director of Health Sciences Centre's addiction unit, said Suboxone is a far better option than methadone to treat opiate addiction in teens and young adults, as it comes with fewer side-effects, it's easier to wean them off and there's a lower risk of overdose and accidental death if doses are diverted.

. . .

Lee said many hard-core addicts will probably do better on methadone than Suboxone because the dose is more intense. However, she said young people who have been hooked for only a brief time and have family support are better suited to Suboxone.

Lee currently has about six patients on Suboxone. They are reportedly more stable and have experienced fewer side-effects such as weight gain, fogginess and sweating.


Read more: http://www.globalwinnipeg.com/healt...ntin+Doctors/4029052/story.html#ixzz19LjvQTem

 

[Captain.Heroin]

I disagree with the entirety of this report. Some people are going to have an easier recovery than methadone, and likewise, others will have an easier time with Suboxone.

Suboxone is *heavily* diverted, so it's retarded to say that methadone is more diverted.

Just because people are young and using oxycodone, doesn't mean Suboxone will work better for them; it's a case by case basis.

 

[Tommyboy]

This report is using side effects and risk of overdose as the determining factor of "effectiveness". It is saying that suboxone is more effective because it has less side effects, and you are less likely to overdose on it.

To me, effectiveness of opiate maintenance drugs should be determined by relapse % and the amount of people that successfully got off of the drug and have not returned to street drugs, not which has more side effects.

 

[23536]

Lee said she would like to use Suboxone as the first drug of choice for some of her patients, but she can only use the drug for certain patients who must try methadone treatment first, as Suboxone is not covered by provincial pharmacare. Suboxone costs twice as much as methadone, and Lee said the province will only pay for it on a case-by-case basis because of the price

Is it illegal in Canada to pay for your own medicine?

This is like the guy in ADD from the EU who says he can only get medicines the EU will pay for: that he isn't allowed to buy his own meds.

I'm in the US. Never had an insurance policy that covers methadone or suboxone. I've always paid cash for them. I don't understand socialized medicine. Why can't the doc just write a script and you go buy the shit?

 

[doIhavePotential]

Is it illegal in Canada to pay for your own medicine?

This is like the guy in ADD from the EU who says he can only get medicines the EU will pay for: that he isn't allowed to buy his own meds.

I'm in the US. Never had an insurance policy that covers methadone or suboxone. I've always paid cash for them. I don't understand socialized medicine. Why can't the doc just write a script and you go buy the shit?

we have to pay for our own scripts, i think this is something like medicare and the govt doesn't want to spend more money using subs because methadone is half the cost.

i think the issue would be different for those who pay out of pocket/insurance.

 

[8L4YN3]

I disagree with the entirety of this report. Some people are going to have an easier recovery than methadone, and likewise, others will have an easier time with Suboxone.

Suboxone is *heavily* diverted, so it's retarded to say that methadone is more diverted.

Just because people are young and using oxycodone, doesn't mean Suboxone will work better for them; it's a case by case basis.

I totally agree with this post, 100% correct Captain.Heroin. Everyone is different, everyones situation is different. There is too many variables to claim one drug is better than another.

I've met people who swear by methadone, and people who swear by buprenorphine... The diversion thing is silly also, as buprenorphine pills would be 10x more easier to divert than liquid methadone.

But it all comes down to the fact every case is different, some will respond better to subs, some methadone. Some people have tolerances too high for buprenorphine to even be able to touch, so methadone is the only option for these people.. Good post C.H

 

[Oh1o0hwhyO]

A close family member of mine is currently taking suboxone, not specifically for OCs, mainly for heroin, but i guess all opiates as he was using whatever.. I must say that in his case it has truly helped him. He hasn't used anything he shouldn't be at all in well over a year. He was on methadone prior and it really wasn't helping him enough to keep him clean. I think him staying clean also has to do with him maturing and really seeing whats important in life and striving for the right things, but the suboxone definitely helped, and is still helping.



edit:spelling.

 

[Heroin Girl]

I disagree with the entirety of this report. Some people are going to have an easier recovery than methadone, and likewise, others will have an easier time with Suboxone.

Suboxone is *heavily* diverted, so it's retarded to say that methadone is more diverted.

Just because people are young and using oxycodone, doesn't mean Suboxone will work better for them; it's a case by case basis.

Agreed 100%. Why can't they offer subs without demonizing 'done? Both are valid, proven treatment options.

 

[static_mind]

I don't understand socialized medicine. Why can't the doc just write a script and you go buy the shit?

Im assuming its like the Aus system. Your doc can write out scripts for what ever he wants and you can go and pay for them. But there are soem drugs the government will subsidise

 

[ChemicalSmiles]

I disagree with the entirety of this report. Some people are going to have an easier recovery than methadone, and likewise, others will have an easier time with Suboxone.

Suboxone is *heavily* diverted, so it's retarded to say that methadone is more diverted.

Just because people are young and using oxycodone, doesn't mean Suboxone will work better for them; it's a case by case basis.

QFT ALL the FUCKING way. Man you were on point with that post. I wanted to say everything you just did... but you said it in a way I couldn't!

PROPS for that post. for real.

 

[phr]

it's a case by case basis.

Agreed, but the way it's set up, with one being able to get Suboxone outside of the clinic system, I'd highly recommend that as the first thing to try when taking the maintenance/detox route.