BRITLOFEX DETOX
Getting ready
Before starting to detox with it may help to think about the following points:
- Do I have support in place from my family or friends to help me during the detox and afterwards too?
- Am I certain I want to stop using opiates quickly?
- Am I ready to cope with some discomfort (especially during the first few days), and possibly sleep difficulties?
- Am I ready to cope with the emotional aspects such as anxiety which may appear during or after the detox?
- Am I clear about the dose I've been prescribed?
- Do I know what to do if I use opiates during the detox?
- Do I know what to do if I have any side-effects?
- Do I know what I can do to stay opiate-free and prevent myself from relapsing after the detox?
Remember: BritLofex is not the magic answer to opiate dependence. You may well still crave drugs and wish to use them after you have successfully detoxed. Therefore BritLofex should only be seen as part of a package of care aimed at getting you to the point where you don't use drugs any more.
Starting the detox
Your prescriber will explain how to stop using opiates. They will also tell you when and how often to take your BritLofex tablets.
The usual dose of BritLofex is four (0.2mg) tablets taken throughout the first day (0.8mg). The dose is then increased each day by up to four tablets according to the severity of the withdrawal symptoms. The maximum daily dose is 12 tablets (2.4mg). You should not take more than four tablets (0.8mg) as a single dose.
Sometimes the dosage may differ from this. For example, you may be prescribed a higher starting dose. Your prescriber will tell you the number of tablets you need to take each day.
BritLofex is usually taken for seven to ten days, however, sometimes it may be taken for a longer or shorter time. Your prescriber will tell you for how long to take the tablets.
When the withdrawal symptoms become less severe the daily dose of BritLofex can be reduced gradually. BritLofex tablets should never be stopped suddenly.
Important points to remember
Never stop your tablets suddenly; your blood pressure might rise if you do so. The dose should be lowered gradually over several days. Your prescriber or key worker will tell you how to do this.
After you have detoxed, your tolerance to opiates will drop very quickly. This means you could overdose accidentally just by using what was your normal amount of opiate before you detoxed.
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