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Suggest Ways To Wean Off Suboxone

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Posted on Thu, 7 Jan 2016
Question: For a patient currently on 8mg suboxone sublingual daily, what would you suggest as an effective taper & timeline?
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Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question.

Tapering should be done carefully under the supervision of a psychiatrist, to avoid withdrawal which can be very uncomfortable (though not deadly).

Here is the schedule I typically use for 8mg of Suboxone:

Day 1-5: 4mg
Day 6-13: 2mg
Day 14-20: 1.5mg
Day 21-28: 1mg
Day 29-40: 0.5mg
Day 41-48: 0.25mg

This should be adjusted to account for side effects along the way.

I should also mention that people with opiate addictions relapse at rates greater than 90% unless you are on maintenance therapy with things like suboxone or methadone, so be aware of this statistic.

I encourage you to contact me at my direct link below. We receive a significantly higher payment from this website for direct questions, so I prefer this venue in which to work with you. It would be my pleasure to be your personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States . For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: XXXX
Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
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Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2014

Answered : 2236 Questions

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Suggest Ways To Wean Off Suboxone

Brief Answer: Consultation Detailed Answer: Thanks for your question. Tapering should be done carefully under the supervision of a psychiatrist, to avoid withdrawal which can be very uncomfortable (though not deadly). Here is the schedule I typically use for 8mg of Suboxone: Day 1-5: 4mg Day 6-13: 2mg Day 14-20: 1.5mg Day 21-28: 1mg Day 29-40: 0.5mg Day 41-48: 0.25mg This should be adjusted to account for side effects along the way. I should also mention that people with opiate addictions relapse at rates greater than 90% unless you are on maintenance therapy with things like suboxone or methadone, so be aware of this statistic. I encourage you to contact me at my direct link below. We receive a significantly higher payment from this website for direct questions, so I prefer this venue in which to work with you. It would be my pleasure to be your personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States . For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: XXXX