Suboxone Detoxification

• Significant withdrawal symptoms are unusual during gradual Suboxone or Subutex dose taper.
• The rate of dose reduction should be determined in collaboration with the patient.
• Patient may have possible feelings of less energy, lower appetite, irritability, difficulty in sleeping, etc. However, these effects are transitory and should only last a few days.
• Realistic goals for reduction should be established.
• Generally, the more gradual the reduction, the better the outcome.
• Patients should expect to experience some withdrawal discomfort once they reach low doses or stop taking Suboxone or Subutex completely.
• Slow down or stop the dose reductions if:
• The patient starts to reuse opioid
• The patient's physical, psychological, or social well-being begins to deteriorate
• Examples of dose reduction rates and schedules are shown on the following chart.