Treatment for Oxycodone Withdrawal
RX Only: See important safety information about Suboxone
What is oxycodone?
Oxycodone is a short-acting pain medication used to treat severe pain, and it’s one of the most commonly misused medications in the United States. It’s highly effective for pain when used for short periods of time, but when taken for longer durations results in tolerance, diminished effectiveness for pain, and development of a withdrawal syndrome and potentially other problems related to opioid use disorder (addiction). Common branded formulations include OxyContin, Percocet (oxycodone/acetaminophen), and Roxicodone.
Oxycodone is a short-acting opioid, but some formulations like OxyContin are designed to release the opioid gradually over 12 hours to extend the effect.
Online Suboxone treatment at Bicycle Health provides:
Our online clinic
- Online support groups from the privacy of your own home
- Experienced, addiction-medicine trained online Suboxone doctors who truly care
- Same day treatment
In person
Patients often wait days-to-weeks for an in-person clinic visit- Lots of time lost in transportation to and from the clinic visit
- Unpredictable wait times during in-person visits
- High and often unpredictable costs
Oxycodone Addiction Treatment
We offer medical treatment with buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) to help patients overcome oxycodone addiction and withdrawal. This treatment is often referred to as MAT (Medication for Addiction Treatment, or formerly Medication-Assisted Treatment). Our confidential services take place via telemedicine, allowing patients to seek treatment within the privacy of their own homes.
The first phase of oxycodone addiction treatment with buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) is the treatment start, sometimes referred to as induction and stabilization. With the right support though it’s not as intimidating as the phrase makes it sound. It’s important that patients have mild-to-moderate withdrawal symptoms prior to starting buprenorphine. This is because buprenorphine, in part, works by blocking the effects of oxycodone and other opioids on the brain, and if you start buprenorphine while the effects of oxycodone are still active, this blocking effect will be sudden and cause severe withdrawal. This can be avoided reliably and simply by waiting long enough to start the medication. At Bicycle Health, our providers work with you to determine how long it’ll take to reach mild-to-moderate withdrawal and may utilize additional medications to make the waiting period as comfortable as possible. We also provide close support and feedback throughout the treatment-start process.
You can learn more about MAT (Medication for Addiction Treatment, or sometime Medication-Assisted Treatment) here.
How long does oxycodone withdrawal last?
It can be scary to experience withdrawal symptoms without knowing the oxycodone withdrawal timeline. Oxycodone withdrawal can begin as early as a few hours after the last dose, and different people will experience different symptoms based on a variety of factors. Here’s what to expect:
Symptoms occurring between 6-12 hours after the last oxycodone dose
- Muscle aches
- Restlessness
- Anxiety
- Tears
- Runny nose
- Excessive sweating
- Inability to sleep
- Yawning
- Fatigue
Symptoms occurring between 12-72 hours after the last oxycodone dose
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal cramping
- Goosebumps on skin
- Nausea and vomiting
- Blurry vision
- Rapid heartbeat
- High blood pressure
Oxycodone withdrawal symptoms are uncomfortable, but there are short-term withdrawal treatments your Bicycle Health provider can prescribe to help relieve these symptoms which may include:
- Clonidine or tizanidine (Zanaflex) helps reduce the hyper-stimulation associated with withdrawal such as anxiety, irritability, sweating, and shakiness.
- Hydroxyzine (Vistaril) helps relieve anxiety and insomnia.
- Ondansetron (Zofran) relieves symptoms of nausea and vomiting.
- Loperamide (Imodium) helps relieve diarrhea; and
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve) for muscle and joint soreness.
Once you start buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone), you will experience long-lasting relief from oxycodone withdrawal symptoms with no need for the additional medications above.
You may take anywhere from 2 to 12mg of buprenorphine on the first day as directed by your provider. You will experience relief from withdrawal on the first day but usually will not reach an effective stable dose until day 2. By day 2 or 3, you and your provider will find the dose that is most effective for you, which means feeling well without withdrawal or any opioid-related sedation... just your normal self again!
How does Bicycle Health work?
Your Journey to Recovery with Bicycle Health
Here at Bicycle Health, we combine buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) treatment with behavioral health supports, like online support groups and health coaches.
Learn more about how our process works here.
We are addiction-medicine trained physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who are invested in your recovery.
Bicycle Health providers, staff, and leadership believe everyone deserves access to confidential, individualized, and non-judgmental care for oxycodone addiction.
Schedule a call with an enrollment coordinator to learn how buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) treatment can improve your oxycodone withdrawal symptoms and overall quality of life.
My life has improved 100% on this medication. I can deal with the ups and downs, am rarely depressed, don't have a lot of anxiety and have my energy back. I feel like a normal person again.