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Does Stopping Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen Cause Insomnia?
If one has been on Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen for over a month as a pain reducer after knee replacement, upon discontinuing the use of such, can sleep be hard to come by. Have been on a. month now, stopped taking 2 days ago and I have not been to sleep since??
Fri, 20 Jul 2018
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
Hydrocodone is a powerful pain killer and it can cause withdrawal symptoms if a patient abruptly stop it. Insomnia can be the cause in some patients due to withdrawal from hydrocodone or due to pains and other symptoms hydrocodone withdrawal causes.
Generally it takes 5-7 days for the withdrawal symptoms to go away so i would expect you to feel so for another 4-5 days.
Make sure you have a good sleeping hygiene (go to bed at the same time and avoid sleeping during the day, do not do activities that activate you before bed like sports or studying, avoid coffee, coca cola or other energy and activating drinks at least 6-7 hours before bed time).
Make sure you take something for pain like paracetamol and ibuprofen to help with any discomfort that might add to difficulty sleeping.
if you do not improve in 4-5 days or you think it is getting worse, please see your doctor.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Kind regards,
Antoneta Zotaj, MD
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
Hydrocodone is a powerful pain killer and it can cause withdrawal symptoms if a patient abruptly stop it. Insomnia can be the cause in some patients due to withdrawal from hydrocodone or due to pains and other symptoms hydrocodone withdrawal causes.
Generally it takes 5-7 days for the withdrawal symptoms to go away so i would expect you to feel so for another 4-5 days.
Make sure you have a good sleeping hygiene (go to bed at the same time and avoid sleeping during the day, do not do activities that activate you before bed like sports or studying, avoid coffee, coca cola or other energy and activating drinks at least 6-7 hours before bed time).
Make sure you take something for pain like paracetamol and ibuprofen to help with any discomfort that might add to difficulty sleeping.
if you do not improve in 4-5 days or you think it is getting worse, please see your doctor.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Kind regards,
Antoneta Zotaj, MD
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