Percocet Withdrawal Symptoms, Timeline, Causes And Treatment

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Oxycodone, the more potent pain relievers found in Percocet, belongs to a class of drugs known as narcotics or opioids, which are known for their high rate of abuse and dependency.

Quitting Percocet while suffering from a physical dependency on the drug can produce an array of withdrawal symptoms, some of which may be very difficult to cope with.

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Causes, Signs and Symptoms of Percocet Withdrawal

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Symptoms of Withdrawal from Percocet

In general, withdrawal from an opioid, like Percocet, is characterized by milder symptoms at first, which may become more severe later on.

Flu-like symptoms are characteristic of early Percocet withdrawal. These symptoms may include:

• Watery eyes.
• Runny nose.
• Chills.
• Sweating.
• Aching.
• Restlessness.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the onset of symptoms may occur within a day of quitting the drug, but in the coming days, more severe symptoms may develop. These include:

• Irritability and anxiety.
• Muscle and joint pain.
• Stomach cramps.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Insomnia.
• High blood pressure.
• Shallow breathing.
• Increased heart rate.

Opioids can also produce a condition in some people known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome, or protracted withdrawal syndrome. People experiencing protracted withdrawal may continue to experience some symptoms, particularly psychiatric symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, or depression, for months after stopping Percocet use.

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Severity of Withdrawal Symptoms

In general, acute withdrawal symptoms from Percocet—that is, the symptoms that occur directly after a person stops taking the drug—are uncomfortable, but not life-threatening.

Severe withdrawal symptoms affect your breathing, blood pressure and heart rate.The most serious symptoms are those involving the cardiorespiratory system, and affect the patient’s breathing, blood pressure, or heart rate.

Psychiatric symptoms are the most uncomfortable part of the protracted withdrawal syndrome. A psychiatric evaluation may be necessary for patients experiencing severe anxiety and depression.

The severity of these symptoms, in some cases, may cause a relapse because the individual goes back to using Percocet to escape the discomfort of withdrawal.

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Treatment for Percocet Withdrawal

There are a number of medications that may be administered to help patients cope with their Percocet withdrawal symptoms. Clonidine and Lofexidine are two drugs that are commonly prescribed to help with some of the most typical opioid withdrawal effects, including:

• Runny nose.
• Sweating.
• Aching.
• Anxiety.
• Cramping.

• For severe or long-term withdrawal, a drug called methadone may be prescribed and the patient may be put on “methadone maintenance treatment,” in which he or she receives regular doses of methadone to help with cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Another drug called buprenorphine is also commonly prescribed and may work better than other medications. A 2009 literature review found that buprenorphine is more effective in reducing the signs and symptoms of opioid withdrawal than clonidine or lofexidine.

Comparisons between buprenorphine and methadone were less conclusive, but there’s some evidence to suggest that buprenorphine resolves withdrawal symptoms faster.

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Inpatient vs. Outpatient Treatment

For people undergoing treatment for Percocet dependency and withdrawal, several kinds of treatment programs may be available. These include both inpatient and outpatient programs.

• Inpatient Treatment

  Inpatient programs, which admit patients into a facility, are what many people associate with drug treatment. But they come in a greater variety of forms than many people might think.

  In some places, patients may have the option of choosing a residential inpatient treatment program tailored to their preferences. Some examples are:

  • Luxury inpatient programs.
  • Programs for business executives.
  • LGBT-friendly programs.
  • Women-only centers.

• Outpatient Programs

  Other people may opt for an outpatient program instead, which allows them to visit the facility regularly for treatment instead of being admitted.

  At least one study has suggested that inpatient treatment may be more effective than outpatient treatment when it comes to opioid dependence, but its small sample size and certain aspects of its design suggest that further research is still necessary.

  In general, outpatient programs are probably best for people with relatively mild withdrawal effects, while those suffering from more severe symptoms—particularly when psychiatric symptoms, such as anxiety or depression are present—may be better off with an inpatient program.

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Help Someone Cope with Withdrawal

During the withdrawal process, one of the biggest concerns is the risk of relapse. Some studies have examined the importance of social support during the recovery process.

Having a support system of friends and family members is critical to a successful recovery.A 2015 literature review on long-term outcomes of opioid addiction indicated that relationships with friends and family and social support is important in the recovery process and maintaining substance abstinence. Having a support system of friends and family members who support abstinence from the drug is critical to a successful recovery.

Support Groups

Participation in a support group may be helpful for friends or family members of a person going through withdrawal. Support groups can help people cope with their feelings and, in turn, be a better support system for others.

Nar-Anon is a general program for friends and family of people suffering from addiction, particularly to narcotics.

Friends and family members may also wish to encourage the individual going through withdrawal to join a support group geared toward people suffering from addiction, such as Narcotics Anonymous.

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