Embeda is an extended-release drug with two active ingredients—morphine sulfate and naltrexone hydrochloride. Embeda is intended to be prescribed as an around-the-clock pain medication, not for use for as-needed or acute pain relief.

What Are Common Embeda Withdrawal Symptoms?

Embeda is an extended-release drug with two active ingredients—morphine sulfate and naltrexone hydrochloride. Embeda is intended to be prescribed as an around-the-clock pain medication, not for use for as-needed or acute pain relief. Naltrexone is a drug that can block the euphoric effects of opioids. It’s often used as part of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) plans for opioid-addicted and dependent individuals. The idea of including naltrexone with morphine is that it can reduce the risk of misuse. Theoretically, the naltrexone would prevent someone from getting high if they were to misuse Embeda recreationally. Misuse of Embeda could occur by taking the drug out of the capsules and snorting it or injecting it or using it in any way outside of what’s intended. However, misuse-deterrent measures included in opioid drugs don’t always prevent what they’re supposed to.

When talking about Embeda withdrawal, there are two considerations. First, naltrexone can cause sudden withdrawal symptoms in opioid-dependent individuals. If someone were to try and misuse Embeda, they could go into sudden opioid withdrawal. Along with that, there is also withdrawal that can occur when someone has been using Embeda for a long time, and they become dependent on the morphine in the drug. Morphine can cause uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, although opioid withdrawal symptoms aren’t usually deadly. Possible Embeda withdrawal symptoms stemming from the morphine component in this drug include:

  • Restlessness or irritability
  • Watery eyes
  • Runny nose
  • Chills
  • Sweating
  • Muscle aches and pains
  • Dilated pupils
  • Anxiety
  • Joint and bone pain
  • Weakness
  • Abdominal cramping
  • Insomnia
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • High blood pressure
  • Rapid heartbeat

Embeda Withdrawal Timeline And Symptom Duration

If someone attempts to misuse Embeda by snorting or injecting it, they may experience sudden opioid withdrawal. Sudden opioid withdrawal can be more severe than a normal opioid withdrawal situation. These symptoms may not last as long as a typical opioid withdrawal but can require hospitalization. If someone doesn’t misuse Embeda, but they use it as prescribed and then try to stop, they may have withdrawal symptoms as well. Since Embeda is an extended-release variation of morphine, it can take several days for withdrawal symptoms to begin, and they may last longer than symptoms would last with an immediate-release opioid. For most people, the worst of the withdrawal symptoms happen within the first week after the last dose of the drug is taken. With Embeda, it could be two weeks before symptoms really start to subside. Some people may have ongoing withdrawal symptoms that last for several weeks or even months. Longer withdrawal symptoms tend to be psychological, such as depression or anxiety.

Managing Symptoms Of Embeda Withdrawal

If someone physically disrupts the naltrexone in Embeda to get high from the drug, the naltrexone can then be released and absorbed into their system. If this happens and someone goes into sudden opioid withdrawal, they likely need immediate medical attention to prevent complications. If someone is using Embeda as prescribed but they’re going to come off the drug, their doctor will probably give them a schedule to taper down their dosage gradually. The best way to come off any opioid is to follow a doctor’s tapering down schedule. This can mitigate many opioid withdrawal symptoms, and it’s safer and more comfortable for most people. Trying to manage symptoms of Embeda withdrawal without medical supervision or advice isn’t recommended, however.

Embeda Medications And Detox

Detox is when someone who’s dependent on a substance stops using it, and it leaves their system. Before someone can seek addiction treatment, they should go through detox. With opioids, such as the morphine in Embeda, certain FDA-approved medications can be used during detox. Naltrexone is one such medication used during opioid withdrawal and detox. Naltrexone creates a ceiling effect if someone tries to get high on opioids, and it can reduce opioid cravings. There are also maintenance drugs like methadone and buprenorphine, which have effects similar to opioids, but milder. In addition to drugs approved as medication-assisted treatments, doctors may prescribe medications for symptoms as-needed. For example, during withdrawal from Embeda, a patient might need a sleep aid or something to treat muscle aches and pains.

How To Choose An Embeda Center

Along with following a doctor’s instructions for an outpatient Embeda detox, some people may require a medically supervised detox in an inpatient setting. A medical detox has advantages, including around-the-clock physical and mental health care. When choosing an Embeda center to go for detox, patients should consider whether or not the center is part of a rehab treatment facility. When someone goes to a medical detox that’s part of an addiction treatment program, they have the benefit of continuity in their care. The disruption of completing Embeda detox and having to then transfer to another treatment facility can be problematic for some people. Also important when choosing an Embeda center is dual diagnosis treatment. People who struggle with opioid addiction and dependence often have other mental health conditions that need to be treated as well. If a detox facility offers dual diagnosis treatment, these mental health symptoms and conditions can start to be treated before someone moves into rehab.

To learn more about how to choose a drug detox center and what happens during each step of the addiction treatment process, contact The Recovery Village today.

Medical Disclaimer

The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.