Suboxone Treatment for Hydromorphone Withdrawal
SUBOXONE is indicated for the treatment of opioid dependence in adults. SUBOXONE should not be taken by individuals who have been shown to be hypersensitive to buprenorphine or naloxone as serious adverse reactions, including anaphylactic shock, have been reported. Taking SUBOXONE with other opioid medicines, benzodiazepines, alcohol, or other central nervous system depressants can cause breathing problems that can lead to coma and death. Other side-effects may include headaches, nausea, vomiting, constipation, insomnia, pain, increased sweating, sleepiness, dizziness, coordination problems, physical dependence or abuse, and liver problems. For more information about SUBOXONE, see Suboxone.com, the full Prescribing Information, and Medication Guide or talk to your healthcare provider. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is Hydromorphone?
Hydromorphone is a prescription opioid pain reliever used to manage severe pain not controlled by other treatments. It is 5-10 times more potent than morphine.
Hydromorphone is also frequently used for its sedating and euphoric effect. The 'high' is similar to heroin and has significantly contributed to a rise in unprescribed hydromorphone use, with approximately 4.3 million people using hydromorphone not prescribed by a healthcare professional. Many users are unaware that hydromorphone is dangerous and potentially fatal, especially at high doses.
Online Suboxone treatment at Bicycle Health provides:
Our online clinic
- Confidential phone & video calls with your medical provider via our mobile app
- Online support groups from the privacy of your own home
- Experienced, addiction-medicine trained online Suboxone doctors who truly care
- Same day treatment
In person
- Patients often wait days-to-weeks for an in-person clinic visit
- Lots of time lost in transportation to and from the clinic visit
- Unpredictable wait times during in-person visits
- High and often unpredictable costs
Hydromorphone Addiction Treatment
We offer Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT) with buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) to help patients overcome hydromorphone dependence and withdrawal. In addition, our confidential telehealth services allow patients to receive treatment within the comfort of their homes at their convenience.
We follow a step-wise approach to managing hydromorphone dependence. Before the first phase of treatment, it is essential that you are off hydromorphone for some time. If not, buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) may accelerate hydromorphone removal from the receptors in your brain, leading to uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Following a short period of hydromorphone abstinence, usually 24-48 hours, patients can safely start Suboxone.
At Bicycle Health, our providers and health educators work closely with you to help you through the initial withdrawal phase. In addition, our experienced staff also provides robust psychosocial and physical support throughout the induction and stabilization phase.
You can learn more about medication-assisted treatment here.
I was introduced to Medication Assisted Treatment and it changed my life. Bicycle health was very helpful, supportive and assisted me without judgement. Now I feel I have a reason to live, have hopes for the future and finally feel relatively happy. I have not known happiness as long as I can remember.
Hydromorphone Withdrawal Symptoms & Timeline
Knowing hydromorphone withdrawal symptoms and their timeline can help you stay calm as you experience hydromorphone withdrawal. Hydromorphone withdrawal generally begins within a few hours and can last up to 14 days. Here’s what to expect:
Symptoms occurring within the first few hours after the last hydromorphone dose
- Restlessness
- Anxiety
Symptoms occurring between 12-72 hours after the last hydromorphone dose
- Shaking
- Fatigue
- Lingering Anxiety
- Nausea and vomiting
- Chills/Sweating
- Rapid heartbeat
- Insomnia
- Muscle Aches
- Depression
- Diarrhea
Fortunately, although hydromorphone withdrawal symptoms can be unpleasant, your Bicycle Health Provider can prescribe withdrawal treatments to make them more manageable. These include:
- Clonidine helps reduce anxiety, irritability, muscle aches, sweating, and runny nose;
- Hydroxyzine (Atarax) helps relieve anxiety and insomnia;
- Tizanidine (Zanaflex) helps reduce muscle spasms;
- Ondansetron (Zofran) relieves symptoms of nausea and vomiting;
- Loperamide (Imodium) helps relieve diarrhea; and
- Bentyl helps relieve gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, especially abdominal cramping.
And lastly, once you start buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone), you will experience significant relief from hydromorphone withdrawal symptoms.
You may take either 4 mg, 8 mg, or 12 mg of buprenorphine on the first day of induction. After that, you may work with your provider to determine whether to increase doses to manage your withdrawal symptoms adequately. Induction may take up to 3 days, after which you’ll feel well with no further withdrawal symptoms… and finally yourself again!
I appreciate the ability to connect with my patients when they need me the most. Online treatment allows my patients the opportunity to place their recovery first and keep on track!

How does Bicycle Health work?
Your Journey to Recovery with Bicycle Health
Here at Bicycle Health, we combine buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) treatment with behavioral health supports, like online support groups and health coaches.
Learn more about how our process works here.
I’ve tried many other programs and rehabs but none of them have ever come close to the innovative, effective, design of this program and its administrators. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND BICYCLE HEALTH!!! I would suggest that anyone who’s struggling with opioid dependence, contact them for help today!
We are physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who are invested in your recovery.
Bicycle Health providers, staff, and leadership believe everyone deserves access to confidential, individualized, and non-judgmental care for Vicodin addiction.
Schedule a call with an enrollment coordinator to learn how buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) treatment can improve your Vicodin withdrawal symptoms and overall quality of life.