Hello Everybody!
I just switched from Suboxone® to Generic Subutex®. I was just posting this so I could help others or if anyone else had any information about the Generic. They are made by Roxane Laboratories™. They come in 2mg and 8mg strengths. I use to take Methadose® (Methadone) 40mg dispersable tablets 2-4x daily, and before that, every opioid that I could get, for back pain. My parents detoxed me off of Methadone, and took me to a walk-in clinic, whose doctor also does detox. After going through H*** of withdrawals from the Methadone, I was given a shot of Buprenex® at the doctor's office. He then dispensed 4 Subutex® tablets for the first couple of days, and then a couple days later, he put me on Suboxone®. It really helped me, not just for addiction or pain, but I also feel that it has helped my depression. The only problem is the cost. I have been clean for almost 2 years now, but I don't have insurance. My parents had to pay for most of the visits once a month and the Suboxone®. When the generic formulation of Subutex® (Buprenorphine) came out, my doctor did not want to switch me, so I wrote him a letter, telling him how expensive the Suboxone® was, and how much money we were losing, and how it was effecting us financially. I begged him to put me on the generic Subutex®, which I will now just call "Buprenorphine". He was very hesitant, but he went through for me. I take 4mg 2x daily (8mg Buprenorphine), in the morning, and the evening. I also take 2mg of Klonopin® (Clonazepam) 3x daily, because I have ungodly panic disorder. Honestly, I feel fine. The only difference is, is the tablets are a little "harder", when I mean "harder", I mean how much the tablets have been pressed. They aren't as soft as the generics, but they do dissolve just as fast, in my opinion. I really don't see any difference between the Suboxone®, and the Buprenorphine. They are about the same size as the Suboxone® sublingual tablets, but they are white, flat, round sublingual tablets, with one side saying "54 411" and the other side is blank, no scores, nothing. They are bitter, just like the brand name, but they are just as effective as the generic so far. This is my 5th day taking the Buprenorphine. It doesn't contain Naloxone like the Suboxone®, and they honestly are a lot cheaper, by about ½ the price. A Qty. #30 Buprenorphine sublingual tablets are ~$112, still, pretty pricy, but the brand Subutex® Qty. #30 sublingual tablets are ~$220. That's a approximately $100 cheaper. I live in Florida, so the costs may be different, depending on where you live, or what pharmacy. I use Walgreens®. I do have a discount card, but it only saved me about $10. I find them just as effective as the brand name Buprenorphine sublingual tablets, W or W/O Naloxone (Antagonist/Blocker). They do help my back pain just a little, but to be honest, I'm in a much better mood, and I'm more "lively". My depression has dropped dramatically, which I found strange. Harvard Medical Studies shows that Buprenorphine might have antidepressant potentials. Check that out on Wikipedia, and type "Buprenorphine." Don't take it for depression, that's not what it's for, (except in my case). It has really helped! Since there isn't a generic for Suboxone® yet, try asking your doctor to switch you to the generic Subutex® if you want to, or have to, like I did. I did submit a picture here on what the tablets look like and what the bottle looks like (for the 8mg tablets) by Roxane Laboratories™. It can be found in the "Contrib" section. I'm just posting this to let you know there is a generic for Subutex®. The cost is about ½ that of the brand. I just wanted to let you all know. I am NOT a doctor, so don't attempt, or take anything without talking to your doctor first. This is just information on the effectiveness of the generic VS the brand Subutex® or Suboxone®. I hope all of you who may be in my position will get help! Talk to your doctor, and tell him/her the truth about your situation! I hope and pray for all of you, and I hope that you will all have a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!
- "Karbine" Kyle
