Anyone on Suboxone for chronic pain?
 

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia four years ago. I have tried many different medications and procedures. Nothing seemed to work until I tried Suboxone. Just wondering if anyone else is taking this medication for pain and how it works for them. Please share your experiences.

Hi Jillianjoy,

The searches on the FDA site I did for Suboxone call it up as a treatment for drug abuse. I cannot see anywhere it it used on-label for pain management, although I am pleased it gives you relief. I would also call into mind the stigma attached to meds like this by some people with the whole 'addiction' angle, even though it is often caused by legitimate use of pain killers by Chronic Pain sufferers.

The same medication is marketed as Temgesic (tablets) for moderate/severe pain, and Norspan and Butram (transdermal) for chronic pain. I would expect a more favourable response requesting to try one of these than Suboxone itself.

Whatever the name, I hope it continues to be an effective treatment for your issues.

Dave.

Add: Quote from Drugs.com

What is Suboxone?
Suboxone contains a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is an opioid medication. An opioid is sometimes called a narcotic. Naloxone is an special narcotic drug that reverses the effects of other narcotic medicines.

Suboxone is used to treat narcotic (opiate) addiction. It is not for use as a pain medication.

Suboxone is now used for pain management today. I think that quote from Drugs.com is old.

It binds heavily to pain receptors, and will bump off other opiates, in fact...so one has to be careful with it.

We have some threads on our bipolar forum here, about using it for refractive depression, in fact. It seems to increase dopamine in the brain, and this then gives a feeling of less depression.

Thanks MrsD,

The FDA page is only a year old - but I can see that being a long time in medicines. I understand the way it works, and the problems with using it if one were taking other opiate pain killers. What I do not understand is why rx that particular NAME with the percieved stigma attached when exactly the same medication is available under another name specifically used for Chronic Pain. Is it a money matter?

From what I found it is a Schedule C111 drug, there was a lot of bumpf about Doctors being Registered to rx and checking for abuse in areas and by patients - even though they admit this is less likely than with other opiates. Do you still have to jump through hoops to get even this?

Dave.

FDA page? That would only have FDA approved data on it.

The use of Suboxone (and Subutex --without the naloxone) would reflect only what is "approved".

But doctors do use it off label for refractive depression and chronic pain. It is thought to be less addicting than other opiates by some. The buprenorphine is approved transdermally in patches for pain control (Butrans). Seems rather confusing to me, all around!

I'm on the BuTrans Patch and Percocet
 

Nice to meet you!!
 

Welcome jillianjoy. :Tip-Hat: