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Dependency on a highly potent medication such as Lortab can be challenging to break and successfully withdraw from it, especially without the aid of a medical professional. Lortab or Norco, are brand names for an extremely effective painkiller and cough relief drug which can cause levels of dependencies when abused. Lortab withdrawal can occur when the medication is suddenly discontinued. Lortab withdrawal symptoms, mechanisms, detox, and treatment methods are discussed below.
Table of Contents
Lortab Withdrawal Symptoms
There is usually a Lortab vs. Tramadol comparison based their efficacy as painkillers and dependency ratio. It is likely that one would experience an opiate level discontinuation effect if narcotics such as Tramadol, Percocet and Lortab were abused. Some symptoms help to determine if one needs Lortab withdrawal help. These symptoms are:
Depression
Many individuals report extended periods of depression linked to Lortab withdrawal. This is caused by depletion of endorphins and a characteristic deficiency of mu receptor stimulation as well as sporadic changes in levels of neurotransmitters.
Insomnia
Opioids are natural depressants and are often recommended to help insomniacs to fall asleep. A shortage or absence of the drug in the system may lead to difficulty in sleeping at night.
Muscle And Joint Pain
The abrupt drop in levels of endorphins in the system due to Lortab withdrawal can lead to varying levels of muscle and joint pains. In some cases, the pain can be extreme and requires the urgent attention of a medical specialist.
Palpitations And Panic Attacks
Abnormal heartbeats that are faster than normal and high levels of anxiety can be attributed to withdrawal from Lortab. This is because the drug mainly acts as a depressant, which slows down or regularizes the activity of the heart. Absence of the medication can lead to an escalation in heart-rate as well as increased anxiety.
Abdominal Cramps
The discontinuation of an opioid, which is the main Lortab ingredient, can lead to severe cramps in the abdomen as well as in the other areas of the body, which can be extremely discomforting.
Tiredness
Overwhelmingly constant fatigue is experienced, especially in the initial weeks of cold turkey. This is due to an upsurge in the activity of the nervous system while trying to maintain a fairly constant internal routine. The change in endorphin levels and neurotransmitter activities is also a factor.
Loss Of Appetite
One is likely to experience a significant reduction in appetite, especially in the first few days of Lortab withdrawal.
Drug Craving
It is typical to experience a high craving for the drug, which will cause severe discomfort and psychological trauma. This stage can be a bit extreme; however, with the correct addiction treatment, these cravings will subside.
Diarrhea
One of the side effects of taking Lortab is constipation, and in reverse, diarrhea is a symptom of complete withdrawal from the drug.
Headaches, Dizziness, And Vomiting
These combined flu symptoms are typical of withdrawal from Lortab medication. These symptoms are usually experienced quite early in the withdrawal stages.
Severe Itching
Lortab itching side effects are caused by the activation of nerve endings under the skin due to withdrawal. The nerve endings become extremely sensitive, causing serious itching.
Mood Swings
During Lortab withdrawal phase, an individual may experience high irritability due to the adjustment and transitioning of the nervous system. The mood swings may continue for days depending on the levels of dependency.
Suicidal Thoughts And Behavior
The imbalance in the levels of endorphins, as well as the absence of mu- receptor stimulation in the system, can lead to reckless thoughts and behaviors that may have dire consequences.
Profuse Sweating
The skin may sweat many times during the day. This is a triggered self-detoxification mechanism and in quite common during Lortab withdrawal phase.
Lortab Withdrawal Timeline
Lortab withdrawal timeline may vary from one individual to the other. The complete detoxification of the drug from the system hinges on the severity of the dependency.
How long does Lortab stay in the blood? Hydrocodone, the main Lortab ingredient, has a half-life of 4 hours. This means that Lortab can linger for up to 24 hours after the last dose. Even though the drug can be eliminated from one’s system in less than a day, but the withdrawal symptoms in dependent individuals may begin once the nervous system starts to react to the absence of the drug.
How long does Lortab withdrawal last? The duration may vary from one individual to the other due to the difference in weight, age, and so on, but withdrawal symptoms of Lortab addiction start from the first four hours to 3 weeks.
Stage 1: First 24 Hours
At the initial stage, the average Lortab 7.5 withdrawal symptoms may appear in 4 hours or less. The symptoms at the first stage are usually mild to moderate and may present with symptoms like anxiety, headaches, sweating, loss of appetite, and others.
Stage 2: 3-5 Days
The second stage, which lasts from 3 to 5 days is usually the most challenging.
At this point, the most distressing symptoms are experienced. These symptoms may include nausea, abdominal cramps, mood swings, dilated pupils, insomnia, severe anxiety, vomiting, muscular and joint pains. They may be worsen if a combination of opioids like Perocet and Lortab were used together.
Stage 3: 1-2 Weeks
This is the diminishing stage where the body system begins to regain its functions slowly, and to regularize. This final stage of Lortab withdrawal. It takes about 1-2 weeks to complete its cycle.
Lortab Detox Medication
In the case of dependency, there are options for medication-assisted treatment (MAT), which basically involves the treatment of Lortab withdrawal symptoms using a protocol medication. This can be combined with various other therapy techniques and counseling for maximum results. The following MAT drugs are FDA approved and are safe in recommended doses.
Vivitrol
Essentially, the medication targets specific brain receptors that are usually affected by opioids while blocking the pleasurable effects acquired from the medication.
Suboxone
The idea behind this medication is to slowly ease the addictive effect of the hydrocodone by providing a controlled dose of opioid without the intoxicating effects of the drug.
Subutex
It causes a similar opioid effect without the euphoria and helps to ease off the severe cravings that come with Lortab withdrawals.
Seek Help With Lortab Withdrawal From A Medical Professional
Due to the complicated nature of withdrawal symptoms and the potential severity, it is best for these conditions to be handled by a medical professional. Some individuals may decide to manage their addictions using various techniques such as cold turkey but this method subjects the system to a lot of pressure with the possibility of relapse at any point.
The tapering off method is usually the best technique. However, it must be administered and managed by a well-trained medical professional who understands the dynamics of the medication and the concept of dosing. In essence, it is best to opt for complete detoxification in any credible medical rehab.
Page Sources
- U.S. National Library of Medicine, Opiate and opioid withdrawal, https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000949.htm
- Mansi Shah; Martin R. Huecker, Opioid Withdrawal, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526012/
- SA Health, Opioid withdrawal management, https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/clinical+resources/clinical+topics/substance+misuse+and+dependence/substance+withdrawal+management/opioid+withdrawal+management
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