How to Stop Lortab Withdrawal

Lortab is a medication used to treat moderate to severe pain. It is made up of acetaminophen and hydrocodone, an opiate-based analgesic. If you take large doses of Lortab over a long period of time, your body can become dependent on it. When you stop taking Lortab, the body goes through withdrawal, which consists of symptoms such as nausea and vomiting; sleep disturbances; changes in mental status, such as anxiety or agitation; sweating; and gastrointestinal disturbances, such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. Treating Lortab withdrawal early can help prevent certain late symptoms from developing and reduce or get rid of the symptoms that you already have.

Things You'll Need

• Anti-emetics
• Oral rehydration solution
• Washcloth

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Rest as much as possible. Withdrawal causes your body to undergo an extreme amount of stress. Resting allows the body to get back to normal more quickly.

• 2

  Take over-the-counter medications to treat the nausea and vomiting. Ask your doctor for a prescription-strength medication, such as metoclopramide, if the vomiting cannot be controlled by over-the-counter drugs.

• 3

  Take a couple of small sips of an oral rehydration solution every 30 to 45 minutes to prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, especially if you are vomiting severely or have diarrhea.

• 4

  Soak a washcloth in cold water and ring it out. Wipe your face and body with it to prevent sweat-induced itching and to cool down your body. Repeat this as necessary.

• 5

  Ask your doctor for prescription medications that will help ease withdrawal, such as buprenorphine, which reduces the duration and severity of the withdrawal. Clonidine is also commonly used, as it reduces muscle pain, sweating and mental status changes.