What Are The Effects Of Taking Naloxone/suboxone Long Term?

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I have heard some horror stories about the effecta of taking Naloxone containing products long term. I have heard people say they had negative neurological effects from it as well as severe depression and other problems. I have also heard that Naloxone sucks all of the natural endorphins out of your body too. Doctors are really quick to prescribe a Naloxone/Buprenorphine combination product but never seem to be able to answer what the long/lifetime effects of Naloxone truly are. Has any research been conducted on the long term use of Naloxone? I am very concerned because it is nearly impossible to get a medication for drug addiction in this state that does not contain some amount of Naloxone. Since we are forced to take this medication, I think it is time we are told the truth about what this Naloxone can possibly do to us long term. I have searched the internet and I cannot find any information on any studies of long term Naloxone use. Can anyone shed some light on it? I want facts. If this stuff truly is harmful to us, I want to be able to present my doctor with the information I have found during my study on Naloxone. I should not have to ingest something that may harm me long term, it is unfair and I am seeking the facts on this stuff.

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1

Posted below are a few articles/studies by NIH on long term suboxone use that may be of interest:

1. The impact of long-term maintenance treatment with buprenorphine on complex psychomotor and cognitive function:
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21353749

2. nih.gov/news-releases/extended-suboxone-treatment-substantially-improves-outcomes-opioid-addicted-young-adults

3. Long Term Suboxone Emotional Reactivity As Measured by Automatic Detection in Speech:
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3706486

4. Potential Anti-reward Properties of Long Term Opioid Replacement Therapy (note: scroll down to the second subtopic):
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3835595

5. Study participants here demonstrated clinical stability after 2-5 years of treatment with no reported serious adverse effects:
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18393054

I should also note that I did find several related discussion threads here on this topic that include feedback from others who have taken it long term. So I suppose reading other patient experiences is the next best thing to a study. Some comments I've read suggest that long term suboxone use is no different than long term pain med use. Other reports indicate unpleasant side effects, etc. The problem is we all react/respond differently to these meds so there are really no guarantees when it comes to risks vs benefits. It probably just amounts to whether the decision to remain on suboxone is right for you and your unique set of circumstances - with *fingers crossed* that nothing unusual happens Lol.

A Related MedsChat Thread: Think Again Before Going On Suboxone Long-term.

Hope this helps!

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2

Rather then pacify and playcate that same old addict ENTITLEMENT ISSUE let's get REAL!!! No one is forcing you to take anything. IF you hadn't become addicted to powerful narcotic opiates you wouldn't be FORCED into taking an opiate/opioid replacement protocol, so let's be very clear NO ONE OWES YOU ANYTHING. Rather than attitude have some gratitude. 75 years ago addiction could have gotten you a heretic label of lifetime sanitarium stay so let's be REAL.

There are other options like drug free treatment and for those with chronic opiate addiction Methadone treatment is also available and contains no NALOXONE (NARCAN). The problem is MOST active addicts aren't ready for the responsibility of following clinical norms in order to phase up and integrate this drug in a meaningful way so they stigmatize that medication as well. It comes down to desire and willingness to change. ONLY YOU CAN DECIDE WHEN OR IF THAT TIME COMES.

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First of all Soboxone was 'forced' on me bcz of WC adjuster from Hades, and Dr.'s opiophobia (love Drs afraid of DEA bcz of more stringent opiate rules). I'd explain so it doesn't sound so...nonsensical, unbelievable, etc. that a Dr wants me to feel sorry for him bcz 2 of his PM friends were busted/investigated (which can KILL a practice, which is why they would rather give placebos for pain than face the law, seeing how pathetic their note keeping was) but I digress. Paid HC Kaiser i.e. supplied the $300 - month morphine for my herniated disc. After Cobra, Calcobra and WC I was in literally a world of hurt from back surgery in '08. But *****s like u filled w/ all info make life SO great for the rest of us. See how dumb ur just starting to sound like? Leave chronic pain patients out of ur judgmental mind.

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4

Obviously the writer above believes the problem is "same old addict ENTITLEMENT ISSUE." - They believe that all pain mgt patients r those who brought the problem upon themselves. Blame Shifting. "IF you hadn't become addicted to powerful narcotic opiates you wouldn't be FORCED into taking an opiate/opioid replacement protocol." They also are filled with genuine concern for the hurting patient that they perceive as a criminal, not a sick person, saying "NO ONE OWES YOU ANYTHING." Maybe not but we all should owe our best to others who are hurting and withhold judgment till they prove themselves addicts, not be judged and need to prove themselves clean. Legally, medically necessary prescription (innocent) until proven guilty (addict who just chose based on selfish feelings acc to writer there are NO OTHER categories of patients. Then he proceeds to judge our hearts, saying, "Rather than attitude have some gratitude." Who died and made him the omniscient Holy Spirit? Shut up stupid person w/ big accusations. You don't know anything about the circumstances behind pain patients. We're you there when the gate fell on a co-worker and for the rest of her life she's left in pain bcz of poor worksite management? Did they see the seat with no springs that made my back herniate from constant motion, working action of safe driving? Were they there that they can judge me? My favorite line is last. "ONLY YOU CAN DECIDE WHEN OR IF THAT TIME COMES." If that's true then Drs never interfere in our health telling us about their arrested friends right. If that's true then adjusters don't hang up bcz u explain that lawyers for WC DON'T work any more after settlement. The disease continues but the settlement is done and so is the lawyer. So sue them. This writer is a Suboxone advocate likely on the dole of Indivior. Be ashamed writer. U judge but have NO facts except the ones u made up in ur head.

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A Suboxone protagonist. No studies except those non favor of Subooxne. Thats not the 'facts.' Ur bias writer is obvious. U work for Indivior? :)

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Re: Truthorconsequences (# 2) Expand Referenced Message

I hope you're not in the medical field, you have zero understanding of addiction, and you're rude beyond measure. To sum up you're plain nasty.

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We are the study ma'am. Sad but true. I recently had my meds changed from suboxone to subutex and though it still is not ideal, I do feel considerably better.

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Re: Truthorconsequences (# 2) Expand Referenced Message

You're obviously completely ignorant of the truth. She asked for facts not your extremely biased opinion.

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Re: David (# 1) Expand Referenced Message

The question was not about suboxone or buprenorphine it was actually about Naloxone

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Re: Scott (# 3) Expand Referenced Message

On this one I'm going to agree with Scott when I was first diagnosed with several herniated dics L-2-s1 and the doctor gave me methadone 10 x 2 a day my wife almost divorced me because of my actions and that was only a half I didn't have pain but was nodding like I've never acted before because the doctor wanted to save the state money because 60 cost $19.00 if I would of stayed with them I'm willing to bet I'd be addicted to more, there are no safe ways but if doctors work with patients and the same doctors have communication with the pharmacies, less pressure for patient doctors have a hands on feeling what patients go through, what we need to do is one of two things, make the death lower the variance from 20% to 5% and two,make the CDC rewrite the guidelines so doctors can't interpret it there way it's to gray and everyone not sure how it's worded.

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11

In my opinion, as patients, we have the right to choose what goes into our body. Talk to your doctor about this. Yes, it's good to have information, but surely there is SOMETHING out there that is better than the suboxone. WE DO HAVE CHOICES. Good luck with everything.

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12

Re: Truthorconsequences (# 2) Expand Referenced Message
Please try to remember or perhaps learn, that NOW in this day and age, 2018, addiction is a brain chemistry disorder disease, so says AMA and the PAA, and all Medical group practices. Anyone, without the real inner intention of Love and Compassion for what Addicts go thru, belongs in another line of work and not going to Judgement, without the right learning, knowing and first hand self related things.
Watch, my friend, cause life has a way of teaching us and showing us that what we judge the most comes home to our own lives somehow.
Be careful of that cause it could be on its way. I hope not. Do you really think an addict decides to ruin thier and everyone that loves thems lives. No, The very absence of choice is what makes it s brain chemistry illness.
Perhaps focus on the solution, Love and Caring and spend a couple of hours a week giving some service to those who suffer.
Suffering is universal!!!! Or is it a choice????
Scott.G

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