Oramorph Withdrawal and Detox

Oramorph is a prescription medication used to relieve severe ongoing pain, such as pain stemming from cancer. Oramorph is classified as an opioid analgesic, meaning it helps pain patients by changing the way the brain and body respond to pain.

High strength Oramorph with 100 milligrams or more per tablet should be used only by patients who have been regularly taking large to moderate amounts of opioid pain-relievers. Taking high doses of Oramorph when your body is not adjusted to taking opioids may cause overdose or even death. Additionally, extended-relief Oramorph should not be used to relieve mild or short-term pain.

Common side effects associated with Oramorph include nausea, vomiting, constipation, sweating, lightheadedness, dizziness and drowsiness. These common side effects do not require medical attention and should subside as your body adjusts to Oramorph. If they do not subside, or if they become worse, call your doctor.

Other more serious side effects, which should be reported to your doctor immediately, are mood changes, agitation, confusion, hallucinations, severe stomach or abdominal pain, difficulty urinating, and signs of your adrenal glands not working well (e.g., loss of appetite, unusual tiredness, and weight loss).

This is not a complete list of side effects. Talk to your doctor if you feel you are experiencing other side effects of Oramorph that are not listed above.

Patients who no longer want to use Oramorph should set up a meeting with their doctor before adjusting their Oramorph dosage levels or treatment schedule. Oramorph should never be stopped cold turkey, as this will increase patient’s risk of experiencing enhanced, unwanted withdrawal symptoms. Usually, doctors will taper off the Oramorph dose so patients can avoid experiencing severe withdrawal.

Common symptoms associated with Oramorph withdrawal include increased blood pressure, an elevated heart rate, chills, insomnia, irritability, cravings, appetite loss, seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, flu-like symptoms, dysphoria, anxiety, memory loss, hallucinations, delusions, irritability, watery eyes, fever, sweating, agitation, muscle aches, nausea, insomnia, depression, and headaches. Remember, do not stop taking Oramorph cold turkey, as this will increase your risk of experiencing the aforementioned symptoms

The timeline of Oramorph withdrawal is different for every patient. While most symptoms will peak within 6 hours after Oramorph was last used, some of the psychological symptoms can last up to several weeks. On average, patients usually stop experiencing physical withdrawal one or two weeks after they stop taking Oramorph.

If you are having difficulty managing the withdrawal symptoms of Oramorph, seek a medically assisted detoxification program. This program provides patients a safe place to detox where medically trained staff are available to answer any questions about the withdrawal process. Remember, everyone experiences withdrawal differently. Never be afraid to ask for help during this potentially difficult time.

Always keep an updated list of your current medications and share this with your doctor. This is important as your prescriptions, as well as herbal products and over-the-counter drugs, may cause an interaction with Oramorph.

Medications that have been shown to cause an interaction with Oramorph are naltrexone and opioid agonists/antagonists such as pentazocine, nalbuphine, and butorphanol.

The risk of experiencing serious Oramorph side effects may increase if Oramorph is taken with other medications shown to cause drowsiness or breathing problems. Let your doctor or pharmacist know if you are using any of the following substances: codeine, hydrocodone, alcohol, cannabis, sleeping pills, alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem, carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine, cetirizine, and diphenhydramine.

Finding an Oramorph center to suit your recovery needs is an important step in living a happier, healthier, substance-free life. Schedule a meeting with your doctor to discuss what features you should seek in an Oramorph center. You may want to bring up how long you have been using Oramorph and your Oramorph dosage levels during this important discussion.

If you or someone you know is suffering from Oramorph addiction or another type of substance use disorder, do not delay in seeking help. The Recovery Village has many treatment options and resources that can be tailored to fit each patient’s unique needs.

Related: What to Consider When Choosing an Addiction Treatment Center or Program