You have found that you are unable to just stop using methadone. We can TRY to make you comfortable with one
month of Suboxone maintenance therapy, 7-10 days of other medications and then naltrexone to cleanse your system.
The way this is done involves 48-96 hours of abstinence. Suboxone (2 mg) is then taken
sublingually - under the tongue. If you use the Suboxone too early it may cause or worsen withdrawal
symptoms. If this happens then you must wait 12 hours and try again. If it does not cause or worsen
symptoms then you can take another Suboxone (2 mg) every four (4) hours until they are gone. You then
switch to the Suboxone 8 mg tablets and take one a day for a week; and then decrease the dose to one
half tablet (4 mg) per day for a week; then return to the office for another Suboxone prescription
and further dose reduction instructions. Suboxone dosage will be reduced 50% every week.
After the Suboxone, prescription medications will be prescribed to lessen the severity of withdrawal
symptoms from the Suboxone for 7-10 days. It is strongly recommended that you follow this treatment
with the injection of a naltrexone pellet. You may use non-narcotic medications during the waiting
period but no opiates.
- Stop using methadone.
- Wait 48-96 hours.
- Take a Suboxone 2 mg tablet.
If you get sick — WAIT 12 HOURS AND TRY AGAIN.
If you DON'T get sick -- Take Suboxone 2 mg tablet every 4 hours until they are gone.
- The next day take a Suboxone 8 mg tablet and continue with one
tablet each day for one week. Then take one half of an 8 mg tablet
(4 mg) each day until they are gone, and return to the office.
- Suboxone 2 mg tablets will be prescribed to be taken every day for
a week. Tthen take 1 mg (one half of the Suboxone 2 mg tablet) every day till they are gone, and return to the office.
- Prescription medications will then be prescribed to lessen the
severity of withdrawal symptoms from the Suboxone for 7-10 days.
