Roxicet is a brand name combination of acetaminophen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), and oxycodone, an opioid painkiller. It is like Percocet in its effectiveness and how it is prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain. Because Roxicet contains a narcotic substance, however, the wide prescription of the analgesic over the years has contributed to the epidemic of prescription drug addiction and overdose.
Ending Addiction to Roxicet
It is important to get medical oversight from a physician or a rehabilitation program that offers detox services in order to safely withdraw from opioids like Roxicet. Withdrawal symptoms are not life-threatening, but they can be so uncomfortable that they lead to relapse. if a person relapses after losing some of their physical tolerance to opioids, they are at a greater risk of overdose and death.
Although acetaminophen can cause liver damage, there are no known withdrawal symptoms associated with this drug. Instead, when a person stops taking Roxicet, the withdrawal symptoms are caused by oxycodone.
Because opioids affect receptors in the brain associated with the reward system, drugs like Roxicet can be very difficult to quit using. When the drug binds to opioid receptors, the person experiences relief from physical pain and an increase in neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which elevate mood. They will also experience a sense of relaxation. Roxicet’s effects on mood and tension can be very addictive. When one attempts to end abuse of opioid drugs, the brain increases the intensity of some experiences, including mood swings, anxiety, sleeplessness, and pain.
There are three phases associated with opioid withdrawal: early, peak, and late. Typically, the whole withdrawal process takes between one and two weeks, depending on how much Roxicet the individual took and how often they took it.
Early withdrawal: The first withdrawal symptoms begin to appear up to 16 hours after the last dose of Roxicet was consumed. Symptoms associated with this early stage may make the individual feel as if they have a cold: a runny nose, goosebumps, involuntary twitching, watery eyes, and dilated pupils. The person may also feel anxious, restless, and agitated. They are likely to experience insomnia, or changes in sleep patterns.
Peak withdrawal: The most uncomfortable symptoms occur 36-72 hours after the last dose was consumed. Psychological symptoms, including cravings, agitation, anxiety, and depression, will be at their most intense during this stage. The individual may feel like they have the flu and experience symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, shivering, and physical weakness.
Late withdrawal: After the third or fourth day of withdrawal symptoms, the experience will lessen. Physical symptoms will clear up, and the individual will get their appetite and energy back. Psychological withdrawal symptoms, including cravings and mood changes, may linger for up to 10 days.
Different people will experience different withdrawal symptoms associated with ending their addiction to Roxicet. Those who have an underlying mental health condition may experience more intense psychological symptoms while those who struggle with nutritional deficiency may experience more intense physical symptoms. Those who have struggled with Roxicet abuse for a long time are more likely to experienced prolonged withdrawal symptoms, and those who abuse high doses of Roxicet are at risk of experiencing stronger withdrawal symptoms.
Managing detox with the help of a physician means the person will have access to professional treatment, which may include medications like buprenorphine. The physician will use a chart like the Clinical Opioid Withdrawal Scale (COWS) to understand the severity of their patient’s opioid withdrawal symptoms in order to proceed with treatment. This information will be updated over time, as the person ends their physical dependence on Roxicet.
After the individual has safely detoxed from Roxicet, a comprehensive rehabilitation program that uses evidence-based counseling will help them change behaviors around addictive substances and stay healthy.
Further Reading
What Is the Fundamental Difference between Percocet and Roxicet?
What Are the Withdrawal Symptoms of Roxicet?
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