Is there much withdrawal when coming off of codeine?!
Question: Is there much withdrawal when coming off of codeine.?
I have a friend that has been taking Percocet for one month and has now been put on Codeine. She is not having withdrawal from changing the meds, but will she have withdrawal once she stops the Codeine.? She's taking two 30mg tabs q4h prn. She's also taking Ativan 1mg three times daily. Any suggestions for her to make this transition better for her.?Health Question & Answer
Answers:
The first question is why your friend was placed on the medication in the first place. If it was for an acute injury then most doctors will have you reduce dosage and basically wean off the medications as all patients are different. So my suggestion is have her go 2-3 days taking 2-30 mg tabs q6h prn. Then 2 days later 1-30mg tab q6h prn, 1-30mg b.i.d. prn, to once daily depending on her tolerance and her need for pain relief. That ensures no withdrawal symptoms. Here is another useful link: .?cid=med&monotype=druginteractions&drugid=7420&drugname=Codeine+Sulfate+Oral" rel="nofollow">http://www.medscape.com/druginfo/drugint...
The links below are patient handouts from Medscape (medical professional version of WebMD) for the medications you have mentioned. I imagine the Ativan (lorazepam) which is a benzodiazapine is being given to the patient for anxiety and not insomnia as most people get drowsy from any opiiod analgesic medication. I always suggest weaning off opioids as some people can have difficulty coming of them after using them for even one month. Best of luck and feel free to contact me via email through YA for more specific info. I have been dealing with pain since sustaining a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) following a Fx of C-6. That should make the transition seamless.
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The links below are patient handouts from Medscape (medical professional version of WebMD) for the medications you have mentioned. I imagine the Ativan (lorazepam) which is a benzodiazapine is being given to the patient for anxiety and not insomnia as most people get drowsy from any opiiod analgesic medication. I always suggest weaning off opioids as some people can have difficulty coming of them after using them for even one month. Best of luck and feel free to contact me via email through YA for more specific info. I have been dealing with pain since sustaining a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) following a Fx of C-6. That should make the transition seamless.
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Well even though Percocet (Oxycodone) and Codeine are different they are both still opiates, Percocet though is much stronger. Depending on how long she has been taking or will be taking the Codeine depends on if she will have any withdrawal symptoms and how severe they can be. I would suggest she talk to her doctor about a weening schedule to prevent or lessen the symptoms. Good luck!Health Question & Answer
She won't have much of a withdrawl at all since she's been taking them for such a sort time. Maybe a headache or upset stomache. Make sure she eats regularly; that will help alot and drink lots of water to flush the toxins out of the bodyHealth Question & Answer