See Also
1. Opioid
Symptoms: Classic triad for Opioid Withdrawal
1. Piloerection
2. Rhinorrhea
3. Lacrimation
Management: General protocol for cessation of Opioids
1. Opioid Withdrawal is uncomfortable but not life threatening
  1. Contrast with Alcohol and Benzodiazepine Withdrawal which are potentially life threatening
2. Small to moderate chronic daily Opioid use: Stop Opioid cold turkey
  1. Less than 10 days of daily Opioid or
  2. Morphine Sulfate (or equivalent dose of other Opioid) <30 mg per day
3. Moderate to high chronic daily Opioid use
  1. Taper by 10% per week up to as fast as 10% daily
  2. Consider detoxification admission for non-compliant patients
    1. Methadone protocol
    2. Buprenorphine protocol
Management: Clonidine (Catapres) Indications
1. Non-life threatening Symptoms and Signs
2. Anxiety
3. Piloerection
4. Yawning
5. Sneezing
6. Rhinorrhea
7. Nausea or Vomiting
8. Diarrhea
9. Abdominal muscle cramps
Management: Other medications used for withdrawal symptoms
1. Dicyclomine for abdominal cramping
2. Hydroxyzine for agitation
3. Loperamide for Diarrhea
4. Trazodone for Insomnia
5. NSAIDs for myalgias

Family Practice Notebook

Patients should address specific medical concerns with their physicians.

Although access to this page is not restricted, the information found here is intended for use by medical providers.

This page was written by Scott Moses, MD, last revised on 10/30/2009 and last published on 5/14/2013.

This is one of 5887 pages in the Family Practice Notebook