Oxycodone Withdrawal Treatment

Oxycodone is a prescription drug that is used as a pain reliever, used to treat mild, moderate as well as severe pain. It is mostly administered to people who have undergone surgery, as a single dose is found to work for a longer time. But in this case too, the drug is given to those who have been using it before surgery, for relieving pain. It is available in the form of pills and injections. This drug is often found to come in a combination with other compounds like paracetamol and aspirin. Being a narcotic pain reliever, oxycodone produces a euphoric state in the user, and it is this feature that makes it one of the widely abused drugs. It is ideally used as per the prescribed doses for the stipulated duration. Even genuine users may develop oxycodone addiction, as their body gets used to it. They may continue using this drug to get relief from pain or to avoid withdrawal symptoms or for feeling that euphoric state. People with oxycodone addiction (or even genuine users) may experience withdrawal symptoms, as they stop using this drug or lower the dosage. Though not life-threatening, such withdrawal symptoms can be severely unpleasant. So, it is always better to resort to proper oxycodone withdrawal treatment.

What is Oxycodone Withdrawal

So, this drug is a prescription pain reliever that is found to be abused on a very high rate. While it is used in high doses for that pleasurable euphoric state, there are many other ways in which this drug is abused. Some people like to crush the tablets to powder, which is snorted. This powder is mixed with water and then injected into the body. This drug is intended for slow release, if taken normally. Using it in other ways means bypassing such slow release mechanism for that 'high' effect. Such methods of using oxycodone are illegal as well as unhealthy. Once such a user reduces the dosage or stops taking this drug, he may experience oxycodone withdrawal symptoms, that can range from mild to severe (but, not usually dangerous), on the basis of factors like duration of use, frequency and dosage. The severity of such withdrawal symptoms may also vary from one person to another. Even genuine users of this drug may suffer from such withdrawal symptoms, once they stop the drug or miss a few doses. The following are some of the commonly found oxycodone withdrawal symptoms.

• Sweating and palpitations
• Nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea
• Joints and muscle pain
• Insomnia, loss of appetite and fatigue
• Excessive yawning, incessant cough
• Depression and irritability
• High blood pressure
• Dilated pupils

Treatment for Oxycodone Withdrawal

It is always better to contact your doctor and get the condition treated under his supervision. In some cases, the doctor may ask the patient to totally refrain from taking this drug. This method, which is referred to as quitting cold turkey (as in case of smoking and other such addictions), is mostly used in people who have mild withdrawal symptoms. Another method is symptomatic treatment, which is better done for inpatients. In this case, each symptom is treated with relevant medication, which are non opiates. For example, if the symptoms of the person include vomiting and depression, he will be administered with non opiate drugs meant for nausea and depression. This method is preferred because the patient is spared from experiencing the uncomfortable symptoms due to the use of relevant medicines. In some cases, the doctor may resort to use of oxycodone substitutes to taper off the drug. The most commonly used alternative opiates are methadone and suboxone. These drugs are found to create a stable state of mind for the affected individuals, and their effects last longer as compared to oxycodone. Gradually, these drugs are tapered off, by lowering the dosage. Along with treating the physical symptoms, an ideal oxycodone detoxification program will also take care of the emotional and behavioral problems faced by the individual. The same applies to oxycodone addiction treatment too.

The course of treatment may vary from one person to another. Even the family and friends of the affected people must help them to come out of this condition. So, avoid oxycodone abuse and follow the doctor's instructions while using it. In case you notice any symptoms of oxycodone addiction or withdrawal, contact your doctor immediately.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice. Visiting your physician is the safest way to diagnose and treat any health condition.