Lucemyra (lofexidine) is a brand-name drug prescribed to treat opioid withdrawal symptoms in adults. Lucemyra comes as an oral tablet that you typically take four times per day.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Lucemyra to treat the symptoms of opioid withdrawal in adults who have abruptly discontinued opioids.

Lucemyra belongs to a drug class called alpha-2 adrenergic agonists. Lucemyra is not available in a generic version.

Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Lucemyra, including its strength and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Lucemyra, see this article.

Note: This article describes typical dosages for Lucemyra provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Lucemyra, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

The information below describes Lucemyra’s typical dosages and other details about the drug.

Lucemyra form

Lucemyra comes as an oral tablet.

Lucemyra strength

Lucemyra comes in one strength of 0.18 milligrams (mg).

Typical dosages

The following information describes dosages that doctors commonly prescribe or recommend for adults. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for opioid dependence

Doctors may prescribe Lucemyra to treat opioid withdrawal symptoms in adults.

If your doctor prescribes Lucemyra, your dosage will likely be three tablets (0.54 mg). Typically, you’ll take this dose four times per day for the first 5 to 7 days after you stop taking an opioid. After 7 days, your doctor may recommend continuing Lucemyra for another 7 days if you still have withdrawal symptoms. The maximum dosage of Lucemyra is four tablets (0.72 mg) taken four times per day.

After taking Lucemyra for up to 14 days, your doctor will gradually decrease your dosage over a 2 to 4 day period. You’ll take one less tablet per dose every 1 to 2 days.

For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.

Short-term treatment

Lucemyra is taken short term for the symptoms of opioid withdrawal. Doctors prescribe Lucemyra for up to 14 days to treat the symptoms of opioid withdrawal.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about how long you can expect to take Lucemyra.

The Lucemyra dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • your age
  • how your body responds to Lucemyra
  • the type and severity of the condition you’re taking Lucemyra to treat
  • other medications you take
  • side effects you may have with Lucemyra
  • your liver and kidney function

Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Lucemyra dosage.

Dosage adjustments

Your doctor may need to adjust your dosage if you take certain medications, such as liver enzyme* inhibitors or inducers. These drugs can affect the level of Lucemyra in your body.

Your doctor may also need to adjust your dosage if you have liver damage, kidney disease, or if you’re 65 years or older.

Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take and any health conditions you may have.

* Liver enzyme is a type of protein in the liver that breaks down medications.

Lucemyra comes as an oral tablet that you swallow whole. Do not divide, crush, chew, or place the tablet in water. You may take your dose with or without food.

It may be helpful to take your Lucemyra doses around the same time of day. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so Lucemyra can work effectively.

If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have questions about how to use Lucemyra, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. There’s also an app you can download from the manufacturer’s website with dosage reminders and other tips.

ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERS

Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Lucemyra in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.

If you miss a dose of Lucemyra, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next scheduled dose. Be sure to allow 5-6 hours in between doses. If you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose or skip it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

It’s important that you don’t take more Lucemyra than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

Effects of an overdose

Overdose effects of Lucemyra can include:

If you take more than the recommended amount of Lucemyra

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Lucemyra. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Lucemyra.

Is the dosage of Lucemyra similar to the dosage of clonidine or Suboxone?

Lucemyra, clonidine, and Suboxone are all medications that may help with symptoms of opioid withdrawal. Suboxone is FDA-approved to treat opioid dependence. Clonidine is FDA-approved to treat high blood pressure, but doctors may prescribe it off-label* for opioid withdrawal symptoms.

Lucemyra and clonidine belong to the class of drugs known as alpha agonists. Both come as oral tablets. Clonidine also comes as a patch you wear on your skin and an injection.

Suboxone contains the drugs buprenorphine and naloxone. It comes as a film that you place between your teeth and cheek or under your tongue.

Lucemyra and clonidine may be taken up to four times per day, while Suboxone is typically taken once per day.

The dose in milligrams for each drug differs because they have different active ingredients. Your doctor will prescribe the drug and dosage that’s right for you.

To learn more about how these drugs compare and to find out which one is best for you, talk with your doctor.

* Off-label drug use is when an FDA-approved drug is prescribed for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.

How long does it take for Lucemyra to start working?

Lucemyra starts to work about 3 to 5 hours after your first dose. You’ll likely notice symptom relief the first day you take it. You and your doctor will keep track of your opioid withdrawal symptoms while you are taking Lucemyra. Then, you’ll make a decision about how long you’ll continue the drug.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Lucemyra treatment.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Lucemyra for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Lucemyra without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Lucemyra that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Lucemyra. These additional articles might be helpful:

  • More about Lucemyra. For information about other aspects of Lucemyra, refer to this article.
  • Drug comparison. To find out how Lucemyra compares with Suboxone, see this article.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.