Why Trust Recovery Guide Butrans patches deliver a steady dose of buprenorphine through your skin to manage pain. When you stop using these patches or suddenly reduce your dose, your body has to adjust to not having this medication anymore. This adjustment period often causes withdrawal symptoms because your body became dependent on the drug over time. Even though Butrans is used for legitimate medical reasons, your body still reacts when it’s taken away.
Withdrawal symptoms from Butrans can range from mild discomfort to serious problems that need a doctor’s help. Some people experience minor issues like headaches or trouble sleeping that go away on their own. Others deal with more intense symptoms like severe anxiety, body aches, or nausea that make daily life difficult.
Learn more about using Butrans patches for opioid withdrawal
What Causes Butrans Patch Withdrawal?
Buprenorphine, the active ingredient in Butrans, is an opioid drug. Regular use of any opioid can lead to physical dependence. As the body becomes accustomed to receiving regular doses of buprenorphine, it becomes dependent on those chemicals. Removing this regular dose of buprenorphine can shock the system and cause intense symptoms of withdrawal.
It’s best to gradually taper off Butrans to avoid the uncomfortable symptoms of withdrawal. However, major withdrawal from Butrans is relatively unlikely.
Common Symptoms Of Butrans Patch Withdrawal
Most people who stop using Butrans patches experience withdrawal symptoms that feel similar to having a bad flu. These symptoms are your body’s way of adjusting to life without buprenorphine. While they’re uncomfortable, they’re usually not dangerous and tend to be manageable for most people.
Common withdrawal symptoms include:
- muscle spasms or involuntary movements
- shaking or trembling hands
- upset stomach and digestive problems
- pounding headaches
- feeling sick to your stomach
- loose stools or diarrhea
- watery, teary eyes
- constantly runny nose
- sweating even when you’re cold
- aching muscles and joints throughout your body
- extreme tiredness and low energy
These symptoms typically start within a day or two after your last patch and can last anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. The good news is that they do go away as your body adjusts. Staying hydrated, resting when you can, and eating small meals may help you feel a bit better while you’re going through withdrawal.
Mental And Emotional Symptoms Of Butrans Patch Withdrawal
Butrans withdrawal can also have many mental and emotional symptoms. These symptoms can feel very stressful and concerning.
Mental withdrawal symptoms include:
- agitation
- anxiety
- sleep issues, such as insomnia
- nervousness
- mood swings
- suicidal thoughts
- sudden behavioral changes
- dysphoria, a sense of unease or dissatisfaction
- abdominal cramps
- physical and mental cravings
- changes in appetite
- anorexia
If you are concerned about any of the mental symptoms of Butrans withdrawal, contact your doctor or seek further mental health help with counseling.
How Long Do Butrans Patch Withdrawal Symptoms Last?
Withdrawal from Butrans patches can begin as early as two days after stopping use of the medication. The effects of Butrans can be felt for two to six days after the last patch was removed.
Physical withdrawal symptoms can last for up to two weeks, depending on the size of the dose, the level of physical dependence on the substance, metabolism, and other factors.
Week One
The peak time for withdrawal is between three and seven days. Withdrawal won’t set in before about the three-day mark, and for most patients, symptoms of withdrawal begin to subside after about a week.
During peak withdrawal, a person will likely experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, irritability, or anxiety.
Week Two
After a week, the above symptoms should stop. A person will continue to feel symptoms like aches and pains, insomnia, or mood swings.
Week Three
For many people, week three brings on worsened feelings of depression. While the physical symptoms should subside at this point, the mental toll may be stronger.
Week Four And On
At this stage in withdrawal from Butrans patches, the psychological symptoms can be at their worst. This is where the biggest chance of relapse can occur.
How To Treat Butrans Patch Withdrawal Symptoms
The best way to avoid a Butrans patch withdrawal is to slowly taper off the medication by decreasing the dose by 25% every 10 days. If this is not possible, small doses of less than 1 milligram (mg) of buprenorphine can be administered. This will help to replace the sudden loss of opioids in the brain and ease the symptoms of withdrawal.
Practical Tips For Treating Butrans Withdrawal
When a person is in withdrawal from Butrans patches, they’ll experience a sudden drop in dopamine, endorphins, serotonin, and GABA levels.
These neurotransmitters control functions like mood, eating habits, and mental health. To cope with the sudden drop in these neurotransmitters, it’s important to do things to supplement this effect.
Here are a few practical, at-home treatment measures to cope with Butrans withdrawal:
- take a hot shower
- eat a healthy diet
- exercise
- drink water
- take acetaminophen for aches and pains
- drink ginger ale for nausea
- use Imodium for diarrhea
Treatment Options For Opioid Abuse
Beating opioid addiction takes professional help and the right combination of treatments. Most successful recovery programs use multiple approaches that address both the physical dependence on opioids and the underlying reasons someone started using. Treatment plans are tailored to each person’s specific needs and situation.
Common treatment options include:
- Medical Detox: safely removing opioids from your body under doctor supervision
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): using medications like methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone to reduce cravings
- Inpatient Rehab Programs: living at a treatment facility for intensive 24/7 care and support
- Outpatient Programs: attending therapy and treatment while living at home
- Individual Counseling: one-on-one therapy to work through personal issues and triggers
- Group Therapy: sharing experiences and learning from others in recovery
- Behavioral Therapy: learning new coping skills and changing thought patterns
You can find more information about addiction treatment centers my browsing our directory or reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
