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How To Wean Off A Narcotic Drug Slowly Without Any Side Effects?
Question: Why does my doctor want me to ween off of a narcotic instead of just stopping? I am having a very hard time doing that... Please go into as much detail and thorough detail as possible
Brief Answer:
Opiods tapering is the standard of care
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX....
Welcome to healthcare magic.
The drug hydromorphone is an opioid group of drugs which are fantastic painkillers with good systemic safety profile and efficacy.
They a potential for physical drug dependence and drug abuse.
If a patient has been using the drug beyond one week and stops all of a sudden, there are chances of having rebound pain and a Withdrawal syndrome which are very abrupt and unpleasant.
One may feel excessive salivation, palpitations, dizziness, altered mood, psychosis and behavioural disruption.
Due to these well known and avoidable adverse possibilities, the clinicians always handle opioid treatment with care and taper the dose to safely wean the patient.
At times it may be necessary to take the patient on other group of drugs as a bridging therapy particularly so if the physical and psychological dependence is very high.
So your clinician is tightly trying to taper it yo save you from withdrawal syndrome.
I hope the advise will be helpful for you.
Opiods tapering is the standard of care
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX....
Welcome to healthcare magic.
The drug hydromorphone is an opioid group of drugs which are fantastic painkillers with good systemic safety profile and efficacy.
They a potential for physical drug dependence and drug abuse.
If a patient has been using the drug beyond one week and stops all of a sudden, there are chances of having rebound pain and a Withdrawal syndrome which are very abrupt and unpleasant.
One may feel excessive salivation, palpitations, dizziness, altered mood, psychosis and behavioural disruption.
Due to these well known and avoidable adverse possibilities, the clinicians always handle opioid treatment with care and taper the dose to safely wean the patient.
At times it may be necessary to take the patient on other group of drugs as a bridging therapy particularly so if the physical and psychological dependence is very high.
So your clinician is tightly trying to taper it yo save you from withdrawal syndrome.
I hope the advise will be helpful for you.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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