Author: TeeJay

Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 3:41 am

It sounds like you’ve had a rough ride these last few days. The transition from methadone to Sub is a difficult one, and many people experience precipitated withdrawal, which is what you’ve been going through. However, your case is different in that you’ve only taken methadone a few days, so you haven’t given the methadone a chance to accumulate in your system.

Taking Sub 12 hours after your last dose of methadone is really not a good idea for anyone, as you’ve discovered. Don’t stress too much though, because each time you take your Sub you’ll experience less precipitated withdrawal. If I were in your position now, I’d reduce my Sub dose temporarily. Instead of taking 8mg in one hit, take 1-2 mg, wait an hour to assess whether it’s made you feel better or worse. If it makes you feel better, you take another 2mg. Repeat until you’ve taken your prescribed dose.

If however you continue to experience precipitated withdrawal, refrain from dosing any further and give yourself another 24 hours before taking more.

Don’t worry. Given you only took methadone a few days, it shouldn’t be long before you start to stabilise on the Subutex.

Good luck!