How to Start Buprenorphine (Bup/Suboxone/Subutex) On Your Own
Rapid Micro-Dose Induction
“Rapid micro-dosing” is a more comfortable way to start buprenorphine.
How does rapid micro-dosing work?
- Rapid micro-inductions start buprenorphine little by little so your body gets used to it before taking a full dose.
- You don’t have to get as sick (withdrawal) before starting buprenorphine, but you will need wait at least 8 hours.
- Once your body is more used the buprenorphine but you start feeling some withdrawal, you can then take a full sized dose.
How to take our medicines:
Start taking buprenorphine about 8-12 hours after last use; you don’t have to be in full withdrawal yet.
Keep buprenorhpine under your tongue until fully dissolved.
Do not eat or drink while it is dissolving.
Time to Start
You will be prescribed buprenorphine in a strip or tab form.
The images below represent how you will need to cut the medications.
Day 1 — first dose
Take 0.5mg
1 hour after your first dose
Repeat dose:
Take 0.5mg
1 hour after your second dose
Take a 1mg dose
1 hour after your third dose
Repeat dose
Take another 1mg dose
After 1 hour
Take 1 mg every hour until you:
You use all 2mg strips
-OR-
You begin to feel strong withdrawal symptoms
Next
Take 16mg dose (two 8mg doses) at one time
After 1 hour
If you are still having withdrawal symptoms, take an additional 8mg dose
Day 2
Check your medication packaging to see if you are prescribed 16 mg/day, 20 mg/day, or 24 mg/day.
Take your full daily prescribed dose.