Rehab Explains Reasons to Increase Suboxone Dose

Newport, TN – ReVIDA® Recovery recently released a blog explaining the reasons to increase a Suboxone dose. With facilities throughout Tennessee and Virginia, they aim to provide ease of access to substance use disorder treatment with therapy and medication-assisted treatment.

“Suboxone may be taken as a pain medication for those suffering from chronic pain and also working towards recovery from opioid use disorder. If Suboxone is part of your pain management routine, and taking this medication is not sufficiently treating your pain, this is a sign that your Suboxone dose is too low.

The FDA has not approved Suboxone for pain management. However, physicians can prescribe this as an ‘off-label’ treatment in certain circumstances. If a patient is already using Suboxone to treat opioid use disorder, some physicians will make the medication part of their pain management treatment,” the article states.

One sign that a Suboxone dose may need to be adjusted is experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms of withdrawal include anxiety, irritability, muscle pain, and nausea. If withdrawal symptoms occur, the person should consult with their doctor as soon as possible to adjust the dosage. Withdrawal can cause cravings which can lead to a return to opioid use.

Suboxone is a valuable tool in treating opioid use disorder when paired with therapy to treat the root causes of use. A doctor can prescribe and monitor the patient, gradually increasing the dosage of Suboxone as needed. While a doctor will determine the appropriate amount of Suboxone a person should use, a typical dosage is 16mg. Increasing the dosage past 24mg has not been shown to have a beneficial effect. However, dosage and increasing or decreasing is always performed at a doctor’s discretion.

“Suboxone is a partial opioid agonist, meaning it binds to opioid receptors in the brain much as full opioid agonist medications do. However, partial opioid agonists do not cause pain relief or euphoria to the same extent as full opioid agonists. The extent to which Suboxone can cause pain relief and euphoria by bonding to a person’s opioid receptors is called a ceiling effect. Taking higher doses of the medication beyond this point will not increase its effects,” the article continues.

Common side effects of Suboxone include constipation, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, and fatigue. Suboxone requires medical supervision while using it to deal with withdrawal. A doctor can determine if an adjustment is needed based on how the person is feeling. Dosages typically increase if symptoms of withdrawal and cravings persist. Typically this means that a person is taking their prescribed dose of the medication and still feeling significant opioid withdrawal symptoms or cravings for opioids.

ReVIDA® Recovery has been a leading provider of medication-assisted treatment throughout the Appalachian area for years and has helped many to reclaim their lives. Their program consists of flexible, outpatient therapy that can fit a variety of work and school schedules. The Suboxone doctors at ReVIDA® Recovery are well-versed in managing dosages and tailoring needs to each individual. Case managers help patients with finding housing, groceries, employment, and more to get life back on track. To help with ease of access to care, each facility offers same-day appointments and takes commercial insurance, Medicaid, and out-of-pocket pay for treatment.

For those wanting to learn more about ReVIDA® Recovery, call 423-631-0432 or visit their website.