Hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms
Withdrawal from hydrocodone is difficult.
When you take away chemicals like hydrocodone from your body, chemicals that have altered your brain, you’re in for a pretty harsh reality. Your body and brain can react strongly, even violently, sometimes. The hydrocodone withdrawal timeline of symptoms peak anywhere from 24-72 hours after last dose, but acute symptoms usually resolve without medical intervention within a week or two after detox begins. So what can you expect as you withdraw from medications that contain hydrocodone?
When does hydrocodone withdrawal occur?
Withdrawal symptoms occur when you lower doses of hydrocodone, or stop taking hydrocodone abruptly after taking it for several weeks or more. This is because the body makes adjustments to adapt to the presence of hydrocodone over time. And getting high on hydrocodone comes with a cost. So if you take hydrocodone every day for a few weeks, your body gets used to the medicine. Hydrocodone bind to receptors in the brain and blocks the feeling of pain. And when hydrocodone is no longer present, you experience both the pain that you were trying to block, as well as other symptoms that the absence of hydrocodone provokes.
The good news is that slowly tapering off hydrocodone meds and slowly lowering doses may help relieve these symptoms. But what exact symptoms occur after you stop taking hydrocodone?
Symptoms of hydrocodone withdrawal
The intensity and character hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms are directly related the total daily dose, the interval between doses, the duration of use and the health and personality of the user. Withdrawal symptoms usually appear shortly before your next scheduled dose if you decide to stop taking hydrocodone cold turkey. Early withdrawal symptoms often include:
- runny nose
- sweating
- watery eyes
- yawning
- As hydrocodone withdrawal worsens, symptoms can include
- abnormally heightened sensitivity to pain
- chills alternating with flushing and excessive sweating
- cold flashes with goose bumps
- diarrhea
- drug craving
- increased blood pressure
- increased heart rate
- insomnia
- involuntary leg movements
- loss of appetite
- muscle and bone pain
- nausea
- restlessness
- severe depression
- tremors
- vomiting
If you go through withdrawal are you addicted to hydrocodone?
No. Just because you go through hydrocodone does not mean that you are addicted to it.
In fact, physical dependence on opioids like hydrocodone is expected if you have been prescribed hydrocodone for more than a few weeks. But physical depedences is very different than addiction. The symptoms of hydrocodone addiction include mental compulsion to use hydrocodone, in spite negative consequences of use. In other words, hydrocodone addicts continue taking hydrocodone even in the face of problems with their health, jobs, or family life. By contrast, long-term use of hydrocodone can result in two medical conditions. Although these conditions may also be present during addiction, they are markers of physical dependence.
1. Tolerance – After time, higher doses of hydrocodone are required to get the same initial effects (pain relief).
2. Withdrawal — The body adapts to the presence of hydrocodone and withdrawal symptoms occur if use is reduced abruptly.
Can I treat hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms?
Yes. There are medications and treatments that can assist you during hydrocodone withdrawal. Even if you are taking hydrocodone as prescribed, withdrawal from this opioid can be very difficult. This is why doctors suggest that all people withdrawing from hydrocodone do so under medical supervision. There are medications and treatments that can help make withdrawal more bearable.
If you think that you may have a problem with hydrocodone, don’t be afraid. There is help available. Please post your questions about hydrocodone detox and withdrawal here. Or maybe ask questions about potential hydrocodone addiction. We are here to help you find your answers or connect you with people who have been through hydrocodone withdrawal.
4:34 pm
February 7th, 2012
I have taken 2 10 mg hydrocodine every day for 2 years. I always took a half each time. I have not taken anything in over 36 hours. Should I expect withdrawals at this point? Also should I worry about liver damage?
2:12 pm
February 8th, 2012
Hi Chris. Thanks for your question. Yes, you can expect withdrawal from hydrocodone if you were taking 10 mg a day. Physical dependence becomes clinically significant on hydrocodone after several weeks of continued use.
But why are you asking about liver damage?
1. Were you taking hydrocodone in combination with acetaminophen? If so, elimination of acetaminophen is principally by liver metabolism. Although my reading does not indicate long term liver damage as a serious adverse side effect of taking hydrocodone over the long term.
2. Do you have risk factors for developing liver disease or have you been diagnosed with liver disease? Patients with severe hepatic disease should monitor effects of hydrocodone therapy with serial liver function tests.
5:06 pm
March 5th, 2012
I have been taking 8 tabs 7.5/500 daily for chronic pain for 9 years. Last week I cut down amount to 1 tab per 24 hr period except for yesterday, my 5th day, I took 1/2 tab. The first 3 days after my reduction was very uncomfortable but when i felt i could not deal with the discomfort any longer, i took the 1 tab that i reserved for each day. It took the edge off but i still had withdrawal symptoms. I am now on my 6th day and at the 24 hr. period since my 5th dose (1/2 tab). I seem to be doing ok so far. Some aches, a couple times had flushing and cold (goosebumps). Not as much yawning. Appetite is better. My question to you, given the scenario above, do you think I am out of the woods with a full blown withdrawal because of the way I reduced or will I go thru another phase of withdrawal? My worry is that by keeping the small amt. of medicaction in my system, then stopping cold turkey at day 6, and given the period of time I took this drug, would it put me backwards with withdrawal symptoms?
I appreciate any info. you have.
6:54 pm
March 5th, 2012
Hi Lisa. Withdrawal starts as you reduce and then totally cut out opiates. Tapering like you did is good practice, but you might be in for another week, or so of discomfort. Doctors recommend that you always withdraw under medical supervision. Have you notified anyone that you are going through withdrawal?
7:49 pm
March 5th, 2012
No. I am stoic that way. It is very tough for me to admit I have this problem to a website much less my dr’s. This is why I am asking you?
Any self help or over-counter help? I’ve been taking hot jacuzzi baths, NSAIDs, Herbal Tea for warmth and cleansing, heated blankets for aches, etc.. Thank You…
10:29 am
March 6th, 2012
Hi Lisa. I can appreciate your desire for privacy. But know that doctors and addiction specialists suspend judgment in cases of opiate withdrawal. And you might be able to get references to additional help if you ask your doctor. What I’m trying to say is that drug use is less and less stigmatized, especially for people who want help.
To answer your question about hydrocodone withdrawal, though….medical treatment usually involves supportive care and medications. It sounds like you are doing your best to manage and care for symptoms at home. But if you were in a detox, you could be given medications to help ease symptoms.
The most commonly used medication for opiate withdrawal is clonidine. Clonidine can reduces anxiety, agitation, muscle aches, sweating, runny nose, and cramping. Other medicines can treat vomiting and diarrhea.
And maybe try to call a pharmacist and describe your symptoms and condition. At least it’s still anonymous, right? Then, you can pick up come O-T-C drugs, if needed, to directly target time specific withdrawal symptoms that you are going through.
5:38 pm
March 6th, 2012
Thanks about info. I am now at 48 hour period without and i feel pretty good. Slept pretty well last night. I’m sure this will wax and wane but happy to not feel like I’m jjumping out of my skin. The metropolol i take for high blood pressure helps quite a bit with excessive heart rate. I increased my dosage and it was a godsend. Still getting some chills but I am the happiest I’ve been in a week. I do appreciate your advise and if it worsens, I will see my dr.
Wish me luck!!
8:45 am
March 27th, 2012
Hi Lisa – Just checking in …. How are you doing with the withdrawal and getting/staying off hydrocodone?
11:32 pm
March 29th, 2012
I am doing very well. I have been completely free of hydrocodone for about three weeks and I am surprised how well I am doing considering the duration of time I took them. The diarrhea has taken a while to subside but all other withdrawal symptoms pretty much gone. I am making an appt. with a pain mngmnt physician to discuss alternatives for my chronic pain. Being free of narcotics has allowed me to reevaluate my pain level with clarity that I did not have during those years of narcotic use. That is the challenge ahead of me but I am just taking it day by day for now.
I thank you for checking back with me. I am sure I’ll have days I want to take them but so far, so good.
4:28 am
March 30th, 2012
What a wonderful success story! I am so happy for you and interested in learning more about your non-narcotic analgesic options. And I hope that your experience can help others who are thinking about or going through the same thing. All the best!
12:14 am
April 11th, 2012
Where should I go to seek help. I have been getting mine from the streets. Iwas taking 6 7.5 a day a week ago but when the guilt set in it jumped to over 10 a day. I’m scared and I don’t want people to know.
12:52 pm
April 11th, 2012
Hi Joyce. Thanks for reaching out. You don’t need to go through detox alone. In fact, there may be detox clinics near you. Please send me your zip code (via email or the contact form at the bottom of every page) and I’ll search the SAMHSA Treatment Locator database for you.
All the best,
Lee
11:56 am
May 13th, 2012
I fear I am addicted to hydrocodone after ten years of use of medically supervised use. I didn’t know I could become addicted and asked my pain mgmt. doc and my pharmacist. Both of them indicated it was not a concern as long as I had pain and followed dosing instructions. Given the withdrawal symptoms I am having, (which are seemingly minor at this point) I think they were wrong. I quit taking the all hydrocodone cold turkey two days ago and do not have HORRIBLE withdrawal symptoms that are unbearable, but my back and leg are very painful. I don’t want to take any so that I can get a better understanding of what my pain truly is, but wonder if I’d be better served tapering, rather than just stopping abruptly. I’m already two days in. My WD symptoms are yawning, increased back pain, feeling cold and diarrhea (which I have chronically, anyway.) Thank you for any responses.
4:04 pm
May 14th, 2012
Hi Jayne. It sounds like you may be physically dependent on hydrocodone, which is different than addicted to it. If you are a hydrocodone addict, you will have cravings for the psycho-emotional effects of the drug when you are off it. If you need hydrocodone for pain, that’s medical need.
Also, as long as you are withdrawing under medical supervision, cold turkey is one way to do it. However, I am concerned that you may going through unnecessary difficulties, especially for your symptoms of diarrhea and general discomfort. There are medications that doctors can administer during a medical detox which might be of help to you. But I applaud your efforts nonetheless, and think that you are brave and courageous to get off the hydrocodone.
Does this help?
5:50 pm
May 14th, 2012
Hello and thank you for your response. You are right in so much as I think I have a physical dependency and not an addiction because I do not crave the drug whatsoever.
Unfortunately, I called my PCP this morning and advised that I’d stopped taking the hydrocodone last week and had withdrawal symptoms and I asked for help. I told the Nurse practitioner when she offered only Immodium or Kaopectate that I have taken Immodium for years (for chronic diarrhea) and that I’d stopped at the pharmacy to see my friend who is a pharmacist and he told me about a drug called clonodine (clonidine) that would help me with many symptoms. The doctor would not give a prescription for it. I do not know why and the Nurse could not tell me why.
I did however get a script for an anti-diarrheal. I can’t help but feel like my doctor is punishing me. Especially because the Nurse told me that if the diarrhea doesn’t clear up in two days that I should take hydrocodone again and try to wean off of it.
I’ve just been through two pretty awful days. I won’t take hydrocodone again, EVER. I don’t care if I catch my finger in a garbage disposal.
I just hope the script for the diarrhea works, without eating, I am afraid of getting sick(er).
12:28 pm
May 16th, 2012
Hi Jayne. Your doctor may hesitate to prescribe you clonidine because s/he lacks experience with the drug, not from any wrongdoing or lack on your part. Many people who undergo opiate detox and are prescribed clonidine do so in an inpatient treatment setting. So maybe your doctor does not feel comfortable prescribing clonidine in an outpatient scenario.
You are doing great! And I appreciate your resolve to not take hydrocodone again. If your symptoms continue, you might seek a second opinion or look into checking into an inpatient clinic just to get some help.