Can I take tylenol 4 with codeine instead of suboxone for 2 days?

Question

I am on suboxones. I take 4mg a day. Unfortunately my doctor is on vacation and will be back on WED. I have Suboxones until Sunday but I will be out for 2 days until he gets back. I have some tylenol 4 with codeine. What will happen if I only for 2 days take few of those until my doctor gets back? I am really worried.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

If you're on suboxone for pain, taking the Tylenol 4 should get you through the extra two days until you can get your prescription refilled. If you're on the suboxone for treatment of drug addiction, however, this would be a REALLY bad idea, because the codeine may reintroduce your addiction.

If possible, I'd encourage you to try to cut back slightly on the Suboxone to see if you can stretch it out a bit longer -- even if it's just one extra dose you manage to eke out. But the Tylenol should get you through. It may not manage your pain to the same level as the suboxone, so be prepared for that (you may want to avoid making any major plans for those two days if your pain typically interferes with physical activity or the like). However, if you're concerned with withdrawal symptoms, the codeine should prevent that from being an issue (most people taking pain medication long-term can experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop suddenly, even if they are not "addicted" to the drugs).

Good luck! I hope that next time, your doctor gives you a little more warning about his/her vacations so you can plan your prescriptions out better -- that seems really irresponsible of him/her.

Source(s):

I'm a medical librarian (specializing in substance abuse research).