Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Health Professions
 
Board
Board of Medicine
 
chapter
Regulations Governing Prescribing of Opioids and Buprenorphine [18 VAC 85 ‑ 21]
Action Initial regulations
Stage Emergency/NOIRA
Comment Period Ended on 5/3/2017
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4/4/17  7:51 pm
Commenter: R. Kinsey

HB 2163
 
Let me start off by saying that Buprenorphine has saved my life. I was on heroin for 7 years and lost everything that meant anything to me, including myself. I went to prison, lied to, and stole from every person in my life. I was in and out of rehabs for years, Nothing worked to keep me clean and keep me as a functioning human being. It wasn't until I discovered Buprenorphine that I was able to get my life on track and start on a positive path to living a clean, sober, happy, productive life for my son and I. I honestly believe it is a miracle medication, and without it I would be dead today. However, I do have Naloxone sensitivity and I am not able to take Suboxone, only Subutex. Severe panic attacks, nightmares, and migraine headaches are just a few of the debilitating side effects I have when taking Naloxone. I have to mention that I have a severe panic disorder, and this being one of the main reasons I began using heroin and other opiate substances, to try and self medicate to not feel the panic attacks. This is just my story of why I can't take Suboxone versus Subutex. There are many other people, like me, with many other legitimate health issues against Naloxone that still do need the Buprenorphine. I do realize that some people abuse the Subutex because it does not contain the Naloxone, but the Buprenorphine is most certainly still an opiate blocker in itself as well, and there will always be some people that abuse things and make it harder for people like myself. I hope that you can understand not everyone is going to do that and there truly are some people that have legitimate reasons for needing the Subutex in place of Suboxone.
CommentID: 58279