How to withdraw from Percocet

The best way to withdraw from Percocet is using an individualized tapering calendar provided by your precribing doctor. Tips and strategies for Percocet withdrawal here.

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minute read

When you stop taking Percocet after a period of dependency, absence of the drug in the body will precipitate the onset of withdrawal symptoms. Why is this? Percocet is Schedule II drug containing oxycodone mixed with acetaminophen. Its strength gives it a high potential for physical dependency and if abused, addicted.  And when you stop taking Percocet, going through Percocet detox is an expected outcome for anyone who develops physical dependency on Percocet.

Withdrawal from Percocet can be an uncomfortable experience. But how do you treat Percocet withdrawal symptoms? Are there ways you can ease withdrawal symptoms? And which withdrawal symptoms will you experience when you stop taking Percocet? In this article, we review the answers to these questions and how to help Percocet addiction, if needed. And if you still have questions about how to withdraw from Percocet, we invite you to ask them at the end of this article.

When do you withdraw from Percocet?

When dependency develops, your body goes into a state of shock when you stop taking Percocet. Withdrawal is a way of rewriting body chemistry. Withdrawal can occur a few hours to several hours after the last dose of Percocet has worn off. When does this occur?

You can withdraw from Percocet anytime your body is dependent on it and you miss a dose or stop taking Percocet. Sometimes withdrawal is a necessity as the first step in treating Percocet addiction or because you no longer need to be taking Percocet or because it’s no longer being prescribed by a doctor.

How long to withdraw from Percocet?

Withdrawal from most opiates or opioids can take from 7-10 days, longer if you’ve been using Percocet in high doses or for long period of time. As with other opioids, the first couple of days are the hardest. You will go through acute withdrawal at this time. You will feel like you’ve come down with the flu and symptoms will keep you down for at least a few days. After this period, you may still experience aches and pains and disturbances in your sleep for a couple weeks after acute withdrawal.

But even after the period of initial withdrawal, you may no longer have Percocet in the body but you might still go through symptoms of withdrawal such as; insomnia, anxiety, and depression. These symptoms may persist longer than the typical time frame of withdrawal. Also, a resurfacing of pain may also occur if you’ve been using Percocet therapeutically for pain relief.

Withdraw from Percocet symptoms

Once you have decided to stop taking Percocet, you will begin to feel withdrawal symptoms a few hours after the effects of Percocet have worn off in the body. When the withdrawal process starts it will at first feel as if you’ve come down with a horrible flu. You may also feel a lot of gastrointestinal (GI) distress and discomfort. Other symptoms you can experience as you withdraw from Percocet can include:

  • anxiety
  • depression
  • flushed skin
  • heart palpitations
  • increased heart rate
  • insomnia
  • irritation
  • nausea/vomiting
  • restlessness
  • tingling and numbness of the limbs

How to ease withdrawal symptoms from Percocet

There are several ways you can ease withdrawal symptoms of Percocet. If you need to detox or help support the recovery of addiction you may need pharmaceutical help. Buprenorphine, methadone, and LAAM are medications approved by the FDA to help treat opioid addiction. You may also need the help of SSRI’s to help with potential anxiety and depression developed as you are withdrawing from Percocet.

What can you do on your own to ease Percocet withdrawal symptoms? Some tools are probably already lying around the house. Heating pads and Ibuprofen can help with muscle pain. Imodium can help with diarrhea. Increasing liquids is also important to promoting body regeneration. You can also seek out support or someone to help you while you are going through the withdrawal process. Sticking to a schedule and regiment may also benefit your withdrawal from Percocet.

How to withdraw from Percocet safely

To withdraw from Percocet safely, always seek a medical consultation with your prescribing doctor first. You’ll need medical supervision and guidance during the process. If you no longer need Percocet, it’s recommended to gradually decrease your doses of Percocet over period of time. For Percocet this is about 20%-25% every week, and no more than 50% decrease at a time.

If you’ve been abusing Percocet to get high, you may want to seek out a detox or treatment facility. You may need more then pharmacological help to safely withdrawal from Percocet and address any underlying mental conditions. It isn’t recommended to suddenly stop cold turkey unless you are being monitored. If you want to withdraw from Percocet at home make sure you have everything you need and that you are in contact with a doctor if anything should go wrong.

Can I withdraw from Percocet at home?

If you are withdrawing from Percocet with the guidance of a doctor then, yes, you can withdraw from Percocet at home. And if you have developed a dependency to Percocet it’s better to taper your doses over time. Still, Percocet withdrawal can be painful and dangerous as there are potential for seizures and respiratory depression that can occur in the first few hours of withdrawal. This is why doctors always recommend medical supervision during Percocet withdrawal.

You can take care of most other withdrawal symptoms at home using over-the-counter NSAID’s, hot pads, massage creams, or nausea/vomiting treatments. Make sure you know what you want to do and how to do it. Have a plan in place while you are withdrawing depending on the severity of dependency or addiction. Don’t just stop taking Percocet without taking into consideration your recovery time.

The best way to withdraw from Percocet

Since Percocet is highly habit-forming and has a high potential for abuse, the best way to withdrawal from Percocet is to have your doctor titrate your does of Percocet. Your prescribing doctor can help decrease the potency of your doses so that over time, less and less will be in you system. This way, if you need to treat any underlying continual pain or mental conditions, yuo can do so simultaneously. Still, consider that all bodies are different and respond differently to withdrawal.

How to deal with withdrawal from Percocet questions

Withdrawal can be frustrating and complicated. Do you still have question about Percocet withdrawal? Please ask any questions you may have and we will get back to you personally and promptly.

Reference Sources: SAMHSA: Medication-Assisted treatment
DailyMed: Percocet
About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
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