What are the Oxycontin withdrawal symptoms?

Answer 1

You can always ask your doctor for Suboxone, which is a withdrawal easement drug. However, since I deal with them daily as a longtime opiate patient, I use other methods when needed.

Your best option is to reduce your current dependency level to one that doesn't give you withdrawals. OxyContin has a steep drop-off when it wears off - when I used to take it I literally had to take a couple of Percocet to boost my opiate level a bit and then lay down for an hour until the OxyContin got my level back up again. The easiest way to deal with the short term drop-off withdrawals is to either use an acute drug like Percocet or Vicodin, or note the effective hourly time of effectiveness you get from the OxyContin, and then take it an hour prior to when it wears off so you don't experience any withdrawal.

If you're having withdrawals because your dependency level is higher than your dosages, then you need to lower your level to the point where you're comfortable again. You can do this by what I call Incremental Dosage Reduction. I've had to do it several times over the past 11 years, as I've had to significantly increase my opiate level, and then drop them back down again afterward.

This is the text of a procedure I did for Ehow a while back that explains how to do it. Keep in mind that OxyContin is a chronic pain drug like Duragesic when reading this - it just doesn't last as long, nor is it as strong.

When starting this, it's always best if you can begin on a long weekend or during a holiday. If you can take time off, it's even better. There will be times where it's desirable to sedate yourself. If you have no prescription drugs that will do that, Valerian Root may help.

The time it takes to accomplish, and the overall difficulty of opiate Incremental Dose Reduction (IDR - my term) for each person depends on a number of different factors - the person's tolerance to the opiate, the strength of the opiate taken, how long it's been used, how big the patient is, length of dependency, dealing with withdrawals, etc. All are factors in lowering your dosage intake of any opiate or opiate analgesic.

All opiates are Controlled Substances, classed under 1 of 5 DEA Schedules, with Schedule 1 being illegal drugs (Heroin, Cocaine, etc.) Schedule 2 being Morphine, Oxycodone, and others of similar strength; Schedule 3 contains Vicodin (Hydrocodone), Schedule 4 has drugs like Darvon/Darvocet, and Schedule 5 contains analgesic syrups and suspensions with small amounts of Codeine and the like. The most common prescription drugs are from Schedules 2 & 3 for moderate to severe pain - patients using these drugs normally have pain that is chronic (long lasting), and is the reason dependency is common this group. Some, like myself, will be required to use them for the rest of their lives. Schedule 4 drugs are for mild pain, and the potential for dependency, while possible, is unlikely given the small amounts of opiates present.

If you are using Duragesic (Fentanyl Patches) - Duragesic dosages can be reduced fairly easily, and I will cover that separately.

OTC MEDS AND THEIR USES

The OTC meds I've noted as being optional can be used to help in the reduction process and the easing of withdrawal symptoms. Their specific use and advantage:

Bayer Back and Body Aspirin - For easing withdrawal pain. Good when using an analgesic containing a high amount of Tylenol and not wanting to add more Tylenol to the the dose. Examples - Percocet, Darvocet.

Tylenol Rapid Release Gel-Tabs - For easing withdrawal pain. Good when Tylenol component is low or drug isn't combined with it.

Delsym 12 hour Cough Syrup - The active ingredient in Delsym is sometimes used by doctors to augment opiate effectiveness. Used as directed for cough, it can ease withdrawals by augmenting the lower dose. I used it for about 2 years with OxyContin prior to switching to Duragesic.

Valerian Root - Natural sedative sometimes used as an herbal replacement for Valium and other sedatives. Can be used to help sedate yourself when prescription sedatives or muscle relaxers aren't available. Use sparingly and exactly as directed. Note any drug interactions.

It is important that you read and understand all OTC usage instructions carefully. You are potentially using them to help lower your opiate dosage, not create another problem or make you sick.

INCREMENTAL DOSAGE REDUCTION (IDR) - OPIATES IN PILL FORM

It is helpful to maintain a Diary while you go through this process. Note the date, time of dose, total amount taken, any OTC meds used, and withdrawal symptoms and strength. Also note how strong the pain you're taking the drug for is. You don't want to lower the dosage to the point where you're no longer getting any pain relief.

Note your average required dose, and whether it requires 1 or 2 pills to achieve. What you will be doing is cutting one of your pills (if using more than one to achieve normal dose) in half or in quarters, depending on your initial attempt. You will be reducing your dose initially by what it tolerable to you as far as withdrawals are concerned. There is no way to completely avoid withdrawals, but they can be minimized.

1. If you are only using 1 pill, cut it in half with the pill splitter or razor blade. Some pills come with scoring marks on them to make them easier to break. You can also score/break if you find cutting is crumbling the pill. Cut one of the halves in half, leaving one half and 2 quarters of the original pill.

2. When your next dosage time approaches, instead of taking a full dose, take only 3/4 of your dose - the half of the pill you split up plus one of the quarters. If you're using 2 pills, take one whole pill and one half and one quarter of the other. This lowers your dose by 1/4 overall.

3. At the same time, take 1 or 2 of the Bayer Back & Body Aspirin or the Tylenol. If you're like me and using Percocet, use the Aspirin will probably help better. Try each to see which works best.

4. Note how you feel as your withdrawals begin to take hold. If it's tolerable and you can continue with your daily routine unaffected, then continue. If not, try cutting one of quarters in half and drop your dose by 1/8 instead of a quarter, or using the Delsym to augment the lower dosage - it may help you tolerate the withdrawals easier.

5. Continue with the initial reduction for 1 week, then attempt another reduction in dose by another quarter or eighth. Again, see how well you tolerate the withdrawals. If it's too much, then go back to the previous reduction in dose and continue for another week. Repeat the process on a weekly basis until you can tolerate another dose reduction. Increase the amount by 1/8 or 1/4 when you can tolerate the lower dosages and withdrawal symptoms. Keep repeating the process of IDR over time, noting results in your diary.

If withdrawals become too uncomfortable, you can sedate yourself if you have the time and that option to ease your symptoms. I've found that the ability to sedate yourself helps tremendously when withdrawals are too uncomfortable, or you're trying to lower your dosage by halves rather than quarters.

Prior to my 3rd spinal operation, the pain induced from my L3 disk collapsing and the L3 vertebrae slipping forward onto the L4 vertebrae (bone-bone contact, Spondylolisthesis) was excruciating to the point where I had to double my Duragesic dose, increase my Percocet intake, and add Demerol and MS Contin. After surgery, my dosages were:

Duragesic 2 x 100 mcg (200mcg)

Percocet 10/325 - 8-10 per day

Demerol 100mg - 1 - 3 per day, down from double that prior to surgery

MS Contin - discontinued after surgery

Over a 6 week IDR period several months later, which included a lot of sedation and withdrawals, I was able to return to my longtime original doses of Duragesic 100mcg and Percocet 10/325, 3-6 per day as needed. For sedation I used Flexeril as it's the only drug that will effectively sedate me anymore.

Answer 2

Varied. They include diarrhea, sweating, anxiety, rebound pain among others. Consult a physician.