Buprenorphine (Suboxone®) is an incredibly effective tool that increases the likelihood that a person avoids relapse by blocking the effects of an opioid. In some studies, Buprenorphine (Suboxone®) has reduced relapse rates by 75%. Buprenorphine (Suboxone®) should always be used under the supervision of medical professionals who can adjust your dose and ensure that you are receiving the most effective medication dose. Every patient is different, meaning it sometimes takes trial and error to produce the desired medication results.
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What Are Common Signs That My Dose Is Too Low
Buprenorphine (Suboxone®) may be taken as a pain medication for those suffering from chronic pain and also working towards recovery from Opioid Use Disorder. If Buprenorphine (Suboxone®) is part of your pain management routine, and taking this medication is not sufficiently treating your pain, this is a sign that your suboxone dose is too low.
The FDA has not approved Buprenorphine (Suboxone®) for pain management. However, physicians can prescribe this as an “off-label” treatment in certain circumstances. If a patient is already using buprenorphine (Suboxone®) to treat opioid use disorder, some physicians will make the medication part of their pain management treatment.
If you have been prescribed Buprenorphine (Suboxone®) as medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder, you know your dosage needs adjustment if you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms are the body’s response to a person ending their substance use. Because the body adjusts to the presence of a substance, in this case, opioids, ending substance use causes the brain to compensate for the absence of the substance.
Common withdrawal symptoms of opioid usage are:
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Muscle pain
- Nausea
If you are taking Buprenorphine (Suboxone®) and start to experience withdrawal symptoms, you should contact your doctor immediately to get your dosage adjusted.
Buprenorphine (Suboxone®) decreases cravings for opioid use. A craving is an intense desire to use a substance. Buprenorphine (Suboxone®) should reduce a person’s cravings for opioid use. If you are taking Buprenorphine (Suboxone®) and still experiencing cravings, contact your doctor to get your dosage adjusted safely.
What Is The Ceiling Effect In Terms Of Suboxone Dose
Buprenorphine (Suboxone®) is a partial opioid agonist, meaning it binds to opioid receptors in the brain much as full opioid agonist medications do. However, partial opioid agonists do not cause pain relief or euphoria to the same extent as full opioid agonists. The extent to which Buprenorphine (Suboxone®) can cause pain relief and euphoria by bonding to a person’s opioid receptors is called a ceiling effect. Taking higher doses of the medication beyond this point will not increase its effects.
Suboxone Dosing Common Standards
Buprenorphine (Suboxone®) is a valuable tool in treating opioid use disorder when paired with therapeutic methods to treat root causes of substance use. A doctor can prescribe it and monitor the patient, gradually increasing the dosage to the desired level.
How Much Suboxone Should A Patient Take Daily
While a doctor will determine the appropriate amount of Buprenorphine (Suboxone®) a person should use, a typical dosage is 16mg. Increasing the dosage past 24mg has been shown to not have a beneficial effect so a moderate dose is better.
What is Suboxone Composed Of
Buprenorphine (Suboxone®) is composed of the following ingredients:
- Magnesium stearate
- Citric acid
- Sodium citrate
- Povidone
- Crospovidone
- Starch, pregelatinized (maize)
- Sunset yellow (E110)
- Lactose monohydrate
- Mannitol
The Side Effects of Suboxone Dose
The use of Buprenorphine (Suboxone®) sometimes results in side effects. Common side effects include:
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Sweating
- Tremors
- Dry mouth
- Tooth decay
- Muscle aches and cramps
- Inability to sleep
- Fever
- Blurred vision or dilated pupils
- Palpitations
- Disturbance in attention
Rare but severe side effects of Buprenorphine (Suboxone®) can also occur when taking it. Contact your doctor if you experience any of the following:
- Overdose of Buprenorphine (Suboxone®)
- Adrenal insufficiency
- Dependence
- Withdrawal
- Respiratory distress
Why Should Suboxone Dosage Be Increased
Buprenorphine (Suboxone®) requires medical supervision while using it to deal with withdrawal. A doctor can determine if an adjustment is needed based on how you are feeling. Dosages typically increase if symptoms of withdrawal and cravings persist. Typically this means that a person is taking their prescribed dose of the medication and still feeling significant opioid withdrawal symptoms or cravings for opioids.
2-Day Dosing Of Suboxone
Buprenorphine (Suboxone®) treatment should start after a person has ended opioid use and mild withdrawal symptoms appear. Typically, the first dose on day one is 8mg. These doses are often increased by 2 to 4mg gradually every two hours during the first day. After this gradual increase, starting a once-daily 16 mg dose of Buprenorphine (Suboxone®) is common. Anyone taking this should always follow the directions of the doctor prescribing it.
Getting Treatment with Subutex or Suboxone Strips
ReVIDA RecoveryⓇ provides a certified suboxone treatment program in the Johnson City and Knoxville, Tennessee, areas. Here you can get a prescription for Buprenorphine (Suboxone®) in the form of a strip or pill, talk to a medical professional who will monitor your recovery, and obtain mental health care to help you recover. Opioid use is a difficult hurdle to overcome, but with our help, you can start your path to wellness. Contact us today at 423-631-0432 to learn more about our life-saving treatments.
FAQs About Buprenorphine Dosing
What is Suboxone?
Buprenorphine (Suboxone®) is a medication that helps a person struggling with opioid use disorder recover. The medication reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms while nullifying the effects of opioid use.
Why Would I Increase My Dose?
Ultimately your doctor will decide whether or not to modify your dosage. Do not change your dose without consulting your physician. Your doctor will increase your dose when a smaller quantity is not producing the desired effects of reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
Is Suboxone a Pain Medication?
Buprenorphine (Suboxone®) is FDA approved to treat opioid use disorder. It is sometimes used for pain management for people who are already taking the medication to treat opioid use but is not at this time prescribed solely for pain management.
