What Is Kadian?
Kadian is a medication prescribed to patients to relieve their severe pain. Kadian is meant to be used for around-the-clock, long-term treatment only for patients who have had less success with other pain-relievers.
As when starting any new medication, using Kadian may come with side effects. More common side effects from Kadian, which do not require medical attention, include drowsiness, constipation, nausea, dizziness, and anxiety. If you notice these common side effects, do not worry. They should all subside as the body adjusts to the medication. If they persist or worsen over time, let your doctor know.
The following are less common side effects that have been associated with Kadian: headaches, chills, flu syndrome, back pain, malaise, tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, hypotension, hypertension, pallor, facial flushing, palpitations, bradycardia syncope, confusion, anxiety, abnormal thinking, abnormal dreams, lethargy, depression, loss of concentration, insomnia, amnesia, paresthesia, agitation, vertigo, foot drop, ataxia, hypesthesia, slurred speech, hallucinations, vasodilation, euphoria, apathy, seizures, myoclonus, gynecomastia, dysphagia, dyspepsia, stomach atony disorder, delayed gastric emptying, edema, back pain, bone pain, arthralgia, asthma, hypoxia, respiratory insufficiency, voice alternation, ulcers, skin flush, reduced libido, and more.
Remember, this is not a complete list of the possible side effects of using Kadian. If you think you are experiencing a side effect that is not listed, tell your doctor.
Kadian Withdrawal and Detox
Patients no longer wanting to treat their pain with Kadian should talk to their doctor before changing their treatment schedule. Usually, doctors will gradually lower a patient’s Kadian dose overtime to give the body enough time to adjust to less of the medication. This strategy of tapering off the medication will help patients avoid withdrawal. Kadian should never be stopped cold turkey, as this will greatly increase your risk for enhanced, unwanted withdrawal symptoms. Never adjust your Kadian dose or treatment schedule without instruction from your doctor.
What Are Common Kadian Withdrawal Symptoms?
Common withdrawal symptoms associated with Kadian include flu-like symptoms, yawning, irritability, anxiety, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, rapid heart rate, muscle and joint pain, backache, and dilated pupils. Remember, do not stop taking Kadian cold turkey as this will increase your risk for the aforementioned withdrawal symptoms.
Kadian Withdrawal Timeline and Symptom Durations
People going through Kadian withdrawal experience the process differently, and this also applies to length of time patients experience the withdrawal symptoms. In most cases, the withdrawal symptoms of Kadian will peak about 72 hours after its last use. All the withdrawal symptoms should subside within five to seven days. However, the symptoms may remain for a shorter or longer period depending on the patient’s unique physiology.
Managing Withdrawal Symptoms of Kadian
If you are struggling with Kadian withdrawal symptoms, you may want to seek a medically assisted detoxification program to help you during this potentially difficult time. This type of program allows patients to detox from Kadian safely while giving them the opportunity to learn withdrawal coping skills from medically-trained staff.
Kadian Medications and Detox
Always keep an updated list of your current medications, along with any herbal products and over-the-counter drugs you take, and share this information with your doctor. This is important because some products can interact with Kadian or affect the way the medication works.
Some substances that have been known to interact with Kadian are pentazocine, nalbuphine, butorphanol, and naltrexone.
The risk of experiencing serious side effects of Kadian can increase when the medication is taken with other products that cause drowsiness or breathing problems. Be sure to notify your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following: codeine, hydrocodone, alcohol, cannabis, sleeping drugs, alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem, carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine, cetirizine, and diphenhydramine.
How to Choose a Kadian Center
Finding a Kadian center for your recovery is an important step in living a substance-free life. Schedule a meeting with your doctor to discuss the features you should seek in a Kadian center.
If you or someone you love is struggling with Kadian addiction or another substance use disorder, seek professional help as soon as possible. The Recovery Village has many treatment options that can be tailored to fit each patient’s needs. For more information, you can contact us online or call our toll-free hotline, which is open 24 hours a day, at 855-249-4032. Although recovery can be difficult, The Recovery Village promises to be with you every step of the way.
Kadian Signs, Symptoms, and Side Effects
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.