Suboxone Withdrawal Timeline

Published by Joseph, EditorCompiled from cited sources · not yet medically reviewedUpdated Oct 29, 20265 sources

Need help now? SAMHSA’s National Helpline is free, confidential and open 24/7 in English and Spanish: 1-800-662-4357. In a mental health crisis, call or text 988. In an emergency, call 911.

For information only, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before stopping or changing any medication. Medical disclaimer

⚠ Medical warning

Don’t go through opioid withdrawal alone. It is very hard to get through, and the biggest danger comes afterward: once your tolerance drops, using your old amount can cause a fatal overdose. Get medical help to stop. Medicines such as buprenorphine and methadone work. Call SAMHSA at 1-800-662-4357, or 911 in an emergency. If the opioid is prescribed, don’t stop it suddenly: ask your prescriber about a taper.

Quick answer

Buprenorphine, the main ingredient in Suboxone, is a partial opioid agonist. The FDA label says its withdrawal is typically milder than with full opioids and may be delayed in onset. As a long-acting opioid, it generally follows SAMHSA’s long-acting pattern: symptoms can start up to 36 hours or more after the last dose and the acute phase can last 14 days or more. The label says to taper gradually rather than stop abruptly. Stopping treatment also raises relapse and overdose risk, so plan it with your prescriber.

Suboxone withdrawal timeline at a glance

When did you last use or take it?

⚠ Medical warning (read before using this)

This places the typical ranges from this article's sources on your date. It is not a prediction or a diagnosis, and being past a phase does not mean symptoms or risks are over.

A rough guide from published sources, not medical advice. Everyone is different.

Phase	When	What you may feel	Severity	Red flags
Early withdrawal	Up to 36 hours after last use	Watery eyes, runny nose; Sweating, yawning; Restlessness, anxiety, insomnia; Muscle aches	Moderate	—
Fully developed withdrawal	72 to 96 hours after last use	Dilated pupils, goosebumps; Stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; Muscle twitching, joint and muscle pain; Fast heart rate, higher blood pressure	Severe	Vomiting or diarrhea you can’t keep up with, or signs of dehydration (dizziness, very little urine); Thoughts of suicide or self-harm: call or text 988 now
Easing	Through about day 14 or longer	Physical symptoms slowly fade; Tiredness, poor sleep	Moderate	Signs of overdose (slow or stopped breathing, can’t wake up, blue lips): call 911 and use naloxone if you have it
Protracted phase	Weeks to months	Low mood (dysphoria); Cravings; Insomnia; Increased sensitivity to pain	Moderate	Signs of overdose (slow or stopped breathing, can’t wake up, blue lips): call 911 and use naloxone if you have it; Thoughts of suicide or self-harm: call or text 988 now

Print a daily symptom log for this timeline · My quit tracker

Symptoms, phase by phase

The Suboxone label says chronic use produces opioid-type physical dependence, with withdrawal signs and symptoms on abrupt discontinuation or rapid taper. Symptoms are the familiar opioid ones: watery eyes, runny nose, sweating, yawning, aches, restlessness, stomach upset and poor sleep. Because buprenorphine is long-acting, the table uses SAMHSA’s long-acting timeline. Individual timing varies, and we haven’t found a primary source with exact Suboxone-specific day counts.

Early withdrawal: Up to 36 hours after last use

Watery eyes, runny nose
Sweating, yawning
Restlessness, anxiety, insomnia
Muscle aches

Fully developed withdrawal: 72 to 96 hours after last use

Dilated pupils, goosebumps
Stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Muscle twitching, joint and muscle pain
Fast heart rate, higher blood pressure

Easing: Through about day 14 or longer

Physical symptoms slowly fade
Tiredness, poor sleep

Protracted phase: Weeks to months

Low mood (dysphoria)
Cravings
Insomnia
Increased sensitivity to pain

What makes withdrawal longer or shorter

Dose and time on treatment. SAMHSA’s TIP 63 says the severity of withdrawal reflects how physically dependent you are.
How fast you taper. The label says to taper gradually.
Whether you’re stable. Stopping treatment before you’re ready raises relapse risk.
Formulation. Films, tablets and long-acting injections leave the body at different speeds.

When to see a doctor or get help now

Before reducing or stopping Suboxone.
If withdrawal becomes hard to manage during a taper, your prescriber may slow it.
Signs of overdose (slow or stopped breathing, can’t wake up, blue lips): call 911 and use naloxone.
Call or text 988 for thoughts of suicide.

Not sure where to start? Call SAMHSA’s free, confidential helpline at 1-800-662-4357, 24/7. See Get Help.

Tapering

The FDA label says to gradually taper the dose when discontinuing. How quickly depends on you; your prescriber should plan and adjust it. Many people stay on buprenorphine long-term, and that’s a valid, evidence-based choice. We don’t publish dose schedules.

Tips for getting through it

Keep naloxone (Narcan) on hand and tell someone where it is
Drink enough fluids and eat several small meals, as NSW Health’s opioid withdrawal guidance advises; skip alcohol and go easy on caffeine
Never use alone, and know that tolerance drops fast after withdrawal
Find treatment at FindTreatment.gov or call SAMHSA at 1-800-662-4357

Frequently asked questions

How long does Suboxone withdrawal last?

As a long-acting opioid, buprenorphine generally follows SAMHSA’s long-acting pattern of 14 days or more for acute symptoms, but the label says withdrawal is typically milder than with full opioids. Lingering low mood, cravings and poor sleep can last longer.

Is Suboxone withdrawal worse than heroin withdrawal?

The FDA label says buprenorphine withdrawal is typically milder than full opioid withdrawal, though it may start later.

What is precipitated withdrawal?

When buprenorphine is started too soon after a full opioid, it can push out the other opioid and cause sudden, severe withdrawal. The label warns about this. It’s about starting Suboxone, not stopping it.

Should I stop Suboxone?

That’s a decision to make with your prescriber. Long-term treatment is common and effective.

Next steps

Talk to others going through it. Share your experience or ask questions on the Opioids & Kratom board in our community forum. Forum posts are personal experiences, not medical advice. Please read the community guidelines.

Sources

Last reviewed: October 25, 2026. Researched and written by Withdrawal Timelines from the cited sources. This article has not yet been reviewed by a medical professional. See How We Review and our Medical Disclaimer. This is general information, not medical advice.

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