Suboxen Patch Vs. Butran Patch

Hi there...welcome to HW...Sorry to hear of your pain..

I'm a bit confused on what you are saying...You say "now was taken Suboxone and pain is still bad"....

Are you now on the Butrans patch as well as taking Suboxone?

As far as I know...Suboxone does not come in a patch. (just in pill form or "film" form)

However...there is the same medication (buprenorphine) in the Suboxone and the Butrans patch. The difference is the Suboxone has naloxone in it as well.

The Butrans patch usually takes 3 days to a week to really start building up in your system to start feeling the best pain relief. That is why it is dosed to change every 7 days...

Usually Drs. want a patient to stay on a new medication for at least a month or so (barring any actual allergic reaction) to see if it is a good fit.

When do you see your Dr. next?

Post Edited (Snowbunny21) : 11/19/2012 2:29:33 PM (GMT-7)

and thank you for your reply, Snowbunny
sorry about that

I agree with snowbunny, it does take a few days, if it was introduced without your previous medication ; but my understanding, is that the naloxone in the suboxone takes 3-4 days to leave your system before any opiates would have an effect. So if you just stopped the suboxone and started the Butrans, you could be in for a rough couple of days. My only question is, why your doctor prescribed Butrans, when it says right in the little leaflet that comes in the box, that it is not proven effective for patients who are already opioid tollerent? This seams like a very irresponsible move on behalf of your doctor. I don't know if using the suboxone will improve your success with it, as I've not heard of Butrans being prescribed after suboxone, it just seems to me that this medication, even though it will probably offer a little relief when it takes effect, it will not have the effect that it could have had if it were prescribed under the proper circumstances.

Just a few tips on the Butrans, having been on it also. I always put mine on the upper arm, and covered it with an elastic band, the one I used was actually a small elastic knee brace, this kept shirts and stuff from tugging at the corners, as well as kept it at a consistent temperature, for consistent medication release. Don't hit it with soap, or water from your shower directly, this is easiest if you have it on the upper arm. Also, if you want it to work properly, dont walk outside in the cold without some warm layers on, it is temperature dependent, and will not release enough medication if it gets too cold. If it does get too cold, don't run hot water on it or stand by the heater, it could cause a deadly over release of medication, just rub your arm for a minute or two, at a point below the patch, to warm the blood circulating in your arm, or wherever you place it.

Good luck to you, and keep us posted on how you're doing. And give the patch some time to take effect.

Now that I have received feedback from this board and I am beginning to trust more,,,, let me make my story a little more clear for you two. I am n AA too for the last three years. Also I forgot to mention that was 80 mg of oxcy was for three times a day. 320 total per day. had surgery, then went right to suboxen. I had little pain and wanted to stop taking oxcy. Doc said to go to 60 then 40 then 30 etc. I wanted to rush it and now I feel that maybe I hurried too fast through this.

thank you Tina. Appreciate it...

I went to him today and he said put two patches on. I do have a few 80 mg oxcy left, but I am not sure if I take them with that patch it will do nothing bc the Butran patch filled my receptors but not like suboxen? Will the oxcy work with the Butran PAtch? I just put patch on Saturday Nov 17.
I think the oxcy will work bc the butran patch has opiates in it too? Any idea there? I did not ask doc about that.

SJ, congrats on AA, I've been sober for 16 yrs. My advice as a sponsor, knowing the addictive mind, if the doc has taken you off of the oxy, get rid of them since there is only a few. Dispose of properly. No temptation left. And not worth any potential drug interactions. If you tapered off too fast, water under the bridge. It's done. You're off it. Get rid of what's left. It's like looking at one last beer in the fridge and wondering "what if?" Not worth it.

I'm not familiar with the patches, and I know that people become dependent - not addicted, big difference - on large doses. But as pointed out above, if the current patch you are on should not be used with an opiate, you have your answer. Dump the opiates, stay with the patches you were given, and understand 2 things
1)They take time to work - they have to build up to a certain level in your bloodstream and stay at a certain level to have an effect
2)Follow the directions - As was posted above, there are ways to make sure you are getting the correct dosage as intended since they are temperature sensitive. Keeping them at a constant temp is following Dr's orders, as that stuff is usually laid out in the little pamphlet that everyone just throws out. And follow the tips on keeping the thing attached.

That being said, if you've given it the old college try, say 3-4 weeks, and you find your pain worsening, or find any other symptoms that weren't there before, call your doctor. If you start developing a rash at or near the patch site or trouble swallowing or breathing, get thee to an ER ASAP.

Patches are not like pills. Oral or IV meds hit harder, as they kind of enter the bloodstream all at once. Time release patches build up slowly, but hold at a more constant level. You may not get the same level of pain relief as you would with oxy, which may have brought things down to a 3 temporarily, then as they wear off the pain level climbs back up. But the patches may be able to keep things to a 5 longer term, without the rollercoaster. And that's easier to get used to than the constant up and down.

Thank you all very much for your replies they mean a great deal to me. Advice well appreciated and will heed your thoughts.

Just wanted to let you all know that pain is gone and suboxen is working great. Use maybe one per day, half in AM and half at night. No more of anything else, and feeling like a million bucks.!! Thank u all

One of the best feelings is that I do not have the urge to have any opiates at all! It is a feeling that I NEVER thought I would get rid of in my lifetime. I thought I was hooked for life. For the Love of GOD and AA and NA I am a survivor. Feel like I am young again. One other warning for MEN who take Opiates, you loss a great deal of testosterone and that has to make you fell horrible. Mine was 128 and now taking Testim for this. Been on it for one month today and it does make me feel much better. We will know more in 30 days for blood test.

XLIF three times L-1 thru L-5 over period of three years. Last operation was July 2012.

Thank you so much and have a wonderful NIGHT ! Appreciate your input!

XLIF three times L-1 thru L-5 over period of three years. Last operation was July 2012.