OxyContin withdrawal side effects

OxyContin withdrawal side effects include nausea, sleep disturbance, depression, and anxiety. More on what to expect during OxyContin withdrawal here.

3
minute read

Many side effects can manifest when you are withdrawing from OxyContin. Addressing symptoms as they occur treating as many as you can is key in making sure you can stay off of OxyContin.

But exactly which OxyContin withdrawal side effects can you expect? Why do withdrawal side effects occur and how can you treat them (and receive treatments for OxyContin addiction at the same time)? More here, with a section for your questions about OxyContin withdrawal or helping OxyContin addiction at the end.

Withdrawal effects of OxyContin

What is OxyContin Withdrawal?

When you use opioids like OxyContin (main ingredient oxycodone), your body can become dependent on the medication. Dependency is a way the body integrates medications like OxyContin into the overall functioning of the body. In fact, you become dependent on OxyContin because your body simply needs the drug to continue to function, and adapts to the presence of oxycodone over the course of 3-4 weeks of regular, daily dosing.

So when you don’t take OxyContin, you go through withdrawal. Withdrawal happens because the body needs time to re adapt to the absence of oxycodone. When does OxyContin withdrawal occur? You will notice signs of withdrawal when you miss a dose or choose to quit taking OxyContin.

Effects of OxyContin withdrawal

Withdrawal is a process that can be uncomfortable and painful. It can have far reaching reactions and effects on not only your physical body but change the processes in your brain the regulate moods and impact your psychological health. The effects of OxyContin withdrawal can include:

  • anxiety
  • depression
  • accelerated breathing
  • fast heart beat
  • joint pain and aches
  • loss of appetite
  • nausea/vomiting
  • restlessness
  • runny nose
  • sleep disturbances
  • watering eyes
  • yawning

You may have to take time off of work. Your relationships may also become strained because of the effects of withdrawal. And your finances may take a hit while you are trying heal and regulate your body and those around. These combined factors account for withdrawal being an overall frustrating and potentially uncomfortable process.

Side effects of OxyContin withdrawal

One additional complication of withdrawal is relapse. Many people may start taking OxyContin again to avoid withdrawal symptoms. So one way to ensure successful Oxycontin withdrawal is to do so under medical supervision. This may be in a detox facility or a treatment facility. Both environments help to monitor and get you through the worst of withdrawal. Treatment facilities then offer follow up care that can address drug craving and any psychological side effects which occur.

Some other effects of OxyContin withdrawal include hallucination, anxiety, and extreme depression. These side effects can put you in danger. If you suffer these side effects then you may want to go to a hospital or clinic to be treated. You may also want to find an short acting medication that can help mitigate your depression and anxiety. You can also help anxiety and depression with exercise and diet.

Finally, you may experience complications in breathing during OxyContin withdrawal. Your body functions have been slowed down and when you withdraw from oxycodone, they can speed up. Thus, anxiety may be present. But you can also over work your heart. If extreme increases in heart rate or breathing occur during OxyContin withdrawal, get to the nearest hospital for medical intervention.

OxyContin withdrawal side effects

There can be many side effects that affect your physical and mental recovery from the use of OxyContin. Supporting symptoms as they occur is key in making sure you can stay off OxyContin and longer need oxycodone in order to function. If you are worried about OxyContin withdrawal, seek out treatments and support in the community.  Social support  can help aid you in withdrawal and treat psychological side effects. You don’t have to be alone in treating your side effects nor should have to feel the severity of OxyContin withdrawal side effects.

OxyContin withdrawal side effects questions

If you still have questions regarding the side effects of OxyContin withdrawal, please ask in the comments section below. We will get back to your questions with a personal and prompt response as quickly as we can.

Reference Sources: FDA: OxyContin
Child welfare: OxyContin and child welfare
NCBI: Comparative Cognitive and Subjective Side Effects of Immediate Release Oxycodone in Healthy Middle Age and Older Adults
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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