Anyone on subutex/suboxone for chronic pain?

Question

Anyone on subutex/suboxone for chronic pain?

Answer 1

I was for like 2 days.  Worst 2 days of my life...

Answer 2

These medications while having a mild opioid agonist effect have low intrinsic activity, which makes them suitable for management of opiate dependence, but not significantly effective in the management of chronic pain syndromes.

EDIT:  MarkConnell is correct that if given in an injectable formulation there is some increased benefit.  However, suboxone is inactivated when given by injection due the addition of naloxone.  Subutex, is not given in analgesic doses.  The use of buprenorphrine in injectable form has been mostly in a perioperative or hospice situation, and not a routine medication for chronic pain patients.  The oral formulation dose currently used in the US does not usually adequately relieve significant pain.

The transdermal patch is not available in the US, but is the preferred method for the use of buprenorphrine in chronic pain.  

The medication does have many advantages, and is being studied in the US for several uses, including depression.

Answer 3

Buprenorphine was first introduced as an opioid analgesic.  It wasn't until many years later that it was found to be a good opiate withdrawal medication.  It is still used for moderate to severe pain.  This is, however, usually done with either the IM (intramuscular) or IV (intravenous) form of the drug.  You will find the oral form used more for opiate addiction.

In a lot of countries outside of the United States you can find buprenorphine in a transdermal patch (applied to the skin) that is used for chronic pain.

I know this doesn't directly answer your question (no, I have never been on subutex/suboxone) but I wanted to give you some information on the medication.  There are a lot of people out there who are under the impression that this medication is only used for addiction.  That just simply is not the case.