Scottish Drugs Forum
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Drug group - Opiates
Street name
Tems, Super Teds
Brand name
Temgesic. (Schering-Plough), Subutex. (Schering-Plough)
Drug effect
Painkiller and depressant (downer). Effects last for about 6 hours.
Description
White tablet (200 micrograms) marked with symbol
White tablet (400 micrograms) marked with symbol and 4
Ampoules (300 micrograms/mL)
White tablet (2mg and 8mg) - Subutex.
Therapeutic use
Moderate to severe pain (Temgesic.)
Treatment of opiate dependence (Subutex.)
Street use
Dissolved under the tongue, sniffed and injected.
Dependency
Yes
Withdrawal
Withdrawal symptoms begin within a day of the last dose and include tightness of chest, headaches, dry retching and flu-like symptoms.
Long term use
Constipation
Breathing difficulties
Irregular periods
If injected - infection risk, circulatory problems
Overdose risk
Overdose risk is low unless mixed with other drugs and/or alcohol.
Legal status
Prescription Only Medicine
Class C, Schedule 3
Maximum penalty
Possession: 2 years
Supplying: 5 years
Can precipitate withdrawal if taken in addition to opiates such as methadone and heroin.
Temazepam (one of the benzodiazepines) is also sometimes called tems and may thus be confused with Temgesic..