Withdrawal From Oxycodone: An Overview
Oxycodone hydrochloride is a prescription pain medication.
Oxycodone is a narcotic medicine and may cause withdrawal symptoms if it is stopped too abruptly, even if you are taking it responsibly and for a legitimate medical reason.
Even though oxycodone withdrawal can be quite unpleasant, it is unlikely to cause life-threatening symptoms (unlike withdrawal from alcohol or some other medications).
Oxycodone Withdrawal Symptoms
Symptoms of withdrawal from oxycodone or other similar medications may vary in intensity and may include:
- Sweating
- Chills
- Abdominal cramps
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Restlessness
- Watery eyes
- Muscle pain
- Dilated (wide open) pupils
- Runny nose
- Yawning
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Backaches
- Joint pain
- Weakness
- High blood pressure
- Fast breathing
- A rapid heart rate.
While unpleasant, these symptoms are not usually dangerous.
Why Does Withdrawal Occur?
Over time, the body becomes accustomed to the effects of oxycodone. If the drug is stopped too quickly, withdrawal symptoms may occur. Oxycodone withdrawal can occur with chronic, legitimate use of the drug, as well as with
oxycodone abuse. Withdrawal is a normal, predictable, physical response to stopping medications like oxycodone; it is not necessarily a sign of abuse (although it certainly is more likely to occur in cases of
oxycodone addiction).
