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How Long After Methadone Intake Can Suboxone Be Taken?

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Posted on Mon, 22 Jun 2015
Question: I have been on Suboxone 16mg for 4 years, last night ( being very stupid, and with GREAT REGRET) I found a old 10mg methadone and took it. Obviously it did nothing but gave me the runs and made me sleepy. How long until I can take my suboxone? I dont want to be thrown into Pres. Withdrawl that everyone online calls a living Hell. Please Help, I'm scared
doctor
Answered by Dr. Neel Kudchadkar (28 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Take your usual suboxone. Problem:solved. Solution:Just for today

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,

Forgive yourself. It's easier said than done. It's a cliche. But, Forgive yourself.

You told me that you were on suboxone for 4 years and whoosh! one day you found a methadone pill, the disease of addiction, that waits patiently within,
leaped out of you and popped the pill.

What do we do now?

INSTRUCTIONS: READ CAREFULLY.

1. YOU REPORTED THAT UPON TAKING THE METHADONE, YOU DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANYTHING THAT BAD, THAT YOU COULD NOT HANDLE. MEDICALLY THE METHADONE SHOULD HAVE CHEMICALLY REACTED WITH SUBOXONE, WHICH
IS A COMBO OF NALOXONE AND BUPRENORPHINE. THERE WAS A REACTION, BUT WHEN YOU HAPPEN TO BE ON SUBOXONE FOR THAT LONG...THE REACTION IS
NOT UNMANAGEABLE.

THE HIGHER POWER DOES NOT GIVE YOU ANYTHING THAT YOU CANNOT HANDLE

REALLY.

SO RELAX.

2. TAKE YOUR SUBOXONE AS USUAL. THINK AND IMAGINE THAT YOU'VE BEEN
TRIPPING ON METHADONE FOR YEARS AND YOU START GETTING WEANED OFF IT BY TAKING SUBOXONE. TAKE THE NEXT SUBOXONE as usual.

===================================================

If you are fearful or anxious of withdrawal, or do not understand anything in this,
you are free to ask any further queries. If you really get worked up over this, call
your sponsor, say the XXXXXXX prayer, work out the 4th step, rewrite your personal
inventory. 90 in 90. keep going to NA meetings. It works.

What did you learn from this? Do not take the first drug. One pill is too many and a 1000 are never enough.

Wish you all the best,
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Medical Consultant.
Healthcaremagic
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Neel Kudchadkar (7 minutes later)
So your saying by taking just one methadone 10mg and then taking my usual suboxone 16 hours later wont throw me into precipitated withdrawls? I'm sorry I am repeating the same question but I'm very scared of what I've read on the net. Everyone (although not a doctor) is saying to waiting 36 hours.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Neel Kudchadkar (36 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Take suboxone when you feel methadone/buprenorphine withdrawals. Not before

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,

1. I would say it will not throw you into severe withdrawals.
2. Why? Because Suboxone contains Buprenorphine and Naloxone.
3. Naloxone causes withdrawals. It "opposes" Methadone.
4. Buprenorphine is an opioid just like methadone.
5. Buprenorphine and methadone taken together reduce or attenuate
the effects of the other.
6. If you wait for 36 hours, that's 3 days, you will definitely get Buprenorphine
withdrawals.
7. This is common sense.
8. Finally, let's take the middle path, indeed, cease any drug intake until
feelings of opiate withdrawal begin. Then Suboxone will help you.
9. When will it happen? It depends, every person is unique.
10. Therefore, the best method is 1) don't take any more methadone.
2) take suboxone within 36 hours, when it makes you feel comfortable.
11. Thus you can get what you want and have it too.

You can enquire on why this is true. This is a fact. Please explain to me, this
puzzling question... when you took methadone, and if, say, by further error
you took a suboxone, the naloxone would give you withdrawals, right? But then,
what about the buprenorphine? Would that not ease those withdrawals? Furthermore, both methadone and buprenorphine are very similar to each other.

Unlike my last answer, in which I attempted to motivate you, I am now scientifically, medically and clinically presenting data and facts to you.

Given all these facts, the final decision is yours.

Regards,
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Medical consultant
Healthcaremagic




Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Neel Kudchadkar (37 hours later)
I followed your advice, with the first response and everything was fine. Just wanted to take the extra minute to thank you for encouragement and not passing judgement. I hope I did not offend you by asking a second question, I was just in a very vulnerable position and quiet frankly scared. Thanks again. Best wishes.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Neel Kudchadkar (32 hours later)
Brief Answer:
There is a solution to your problem!

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,

Share and care the NA way.
Associate yourself with people who are not using.
Do not take that first drug.
Remember that one is too many and a thousand are not enough.
Promise yourself and me, that you will attend NA meetings everyday for 90 days.
In these meetings, get a sponsor.
Open out and anonymously share in these meetings.
What you share is kept there and not gossiped around elsewhere.
If you cannot believe in God, then accept the group of people around you, as a
power higher than yourself.
All you needed in life was a little love, a little reassurance. But it came too late.
Try it. Just once.
Take things a step at a time.
Remember live your life, just for today.

Best wishes for your recovery,
As long as you do these things, you have nothing and no one to fear.
I always knew you could do it.
Regards,
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Neel Kudchadkar

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 532 Questions

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How Long After Methadone Intake Can Suboxone Be Taken?

Brief Answer: Take your usual suboxone. Problem:solved. Solution:Just for today Detailed Answer: Dear XXXX, Forgive yourself. It's easier said than done. It's a cliche. But, Forgive yourself. You told me that you were on suboxone for 4 years and whoosh! one day you found a methadone pill, the disease of addiction, that waits patiently within, leaped out of you and popped the pill. What do we do now? INSTRUCTIONS: READ CAREFULLY. 1. YOU REPORTED THAT UPON TAKING THE METHADONE, YOU DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANYTHING THAT BAD, THAT YOU COULD NOT HANDLE. MEDICALLY THE METHADONE SHOULD HAVE CHEMICALLY REACTED WITH SUBOXONE, WHICH IS A COMBO OF NALOXONE AND BUPRENORPHINE. THERE WAS A REACTION, BUT WHEN YOU HAPPEN TO BE ON SUBOXONE FOR THAT LONG...THE REACTION IS NOT UNMANAGEABLE. THE HIGHER POWER DOES NOT GIVE YOU ANYTHING THAT YOU CANNOT HANDLE REALLY. SO RELAX. 2. TAKE YOUR SUBOXONE AS USUAL. THINK AND IMAGINE THAT YOU'VE BEEN TRIPPING ON METHADONE FOR YEARS AND YOU START GETTING WEANED OFF IT BY TAKING SUBOXONE. TAKE THE NEXT SUBOXONE as usual. =================================================== If you are fearful or anxious of withdrawal, or do not understand anything in this, you are free to ask any further queries. If you really get worked up over this, call your sponsor, say the XXXXXXX prayer, work out the 4th step, rewrite your personal inventory. 90 in 90. keep going to NA meetings. It works. What did you learn from this? Do not take the first drug. One pill is too many and a 1000 are never enough. Wish you all the best, Dr. Neel Kudchadkar Medical Consultant. Healthcaremagic