Opiate Withdrawal

Sudden discontinuation of certain medications poses significant odd physical manifestations. This is true to most cases, especially in opiates.

Opiate withdrawal happens due to a sudden or dramatic discontinuing of opiate medications after a prolonged use or abuse of opiate medications. It is characterized by a varied signs and symptoms atypical to the usual effects of it. This is commonly manifested by individuals who are unmonitored while treating chronic pain or even drug abusers. Opiate medications include morphine, heroin, codeine and other substances containing it.

The primary cause of this condition involves discontinuation of the medication after a prolonged use. Opiates, when used in a prolonged manner, will result to further dependence on the medication. Thus, a person who is using it may feel uncomfortable if the medication is taken up with delay. As time goes by, more and more concentration of this medication will be needed to produce the same effect for the patient. The longer the use of opiates, the higher the dosage required. Whenever the medication is deemed less important, halting it takes a lot of caution for if the body can't recover slowly with the substance's absence, physical signs and symptoms may occur.

As stated, opiate withdrawal demonstrates a wide range of physical manifestations. These signs and symptoms are divided into two main groups, those that occur in the early or late stage of withdrawal. The early stage of opiate withdrawal includes agitation, anxiety, muscle pains, insomnia, coryza, sweating and yawning. On the other hand, the late stage of it is manifested through abdominal cramping, diarrhea, dilated pupils, erection of the arrector pilli, nausea and vomiting. It is typically seen hours after the last opiate usage. Specifically, 12 hours after the use of heroin use and 30 hours after the last methadone use.

Treatment for opiate withdrawal includes the use of clonidine. It is primarily helpful in reducing agitation, anxiety, cramping, muscle aches, coryza and sweating. However, there are also specific medications given to a particular opiate being abused. There are some individuals who manifest pain along side with the symptoms and signs of opiate withdrawal. Physicians often prescribe tramadol for it.

Tramadol is an opiod analgesic that addresses the issue of pain. Pain in opiate withdrawal may be caused by the disturbances in neuromuscular contraction or sending off of signals. Tramadol will also interact with clonidine in reducing the anxiety level of the patient. Since tramadol will increase the sedative effect of clonidine, the combination of these two medications will produce a significant effect. One thing that patients should take note when using tramadol is that this medication will also cause dependence whenever it will be unmonitored.

To prevent opiate withdrawal to happen, the medication should be tapered down. This will allow a slow adaptation of the body in clearing out the substance. Although there are several signs and symptoms being observed to patients with this type of withdrawal, majority of it are not life threatening.