Can anyone tell me anything about Subutex? Just found out a friend is taking it...

[TAFKAtheUrbanDryad]

A swift Google tells me it's a heroin replacement. Does it have any other uses, as an AD for example?

Apols for terse post, am a bit snowed under today.

[blushingm]

yes can be used as an analgesic and in some cases as an AD

[noodlesoup]

It was first marketed in low dose as an analgesic and then in higher doses for opioid dependance. AFAIK it is only used for depression when other drugs have failed as it is addictive and has serious side effects and can make depression worse. This is from memory of working with it 8 years ago so is by no means current info.

[PavlovtheForgetfulCat]

I have not known it to be used for anything other than opiate based dependancy, but others have said it is possible, so it must be possible!

Even if it is used as a replacement for opiate dependency, it might not be heroin. I know some-one who became addicted to morphine based painkillers after a major car accident screwed his leg up. The Drs gave him too high a dose for too long and he could not come off them. He was given methadone and then subutex to help wean him off them, and it took a long time.

[TAFKAtheUrbanDryad]

Thanks everyone. Obviously after my initial search I assumed she was taking as an opiate replacement, which is scary. She has been on a lot of AD's, so it might be that they have prescribed Subutex because nothing else has worked.

Thanks again.