What are the withdrawal symptoms of oxycodone?

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on March 3, 2025.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

Withdrawal from oxycodone is likely to happen to people who have taken oxycodone consistently or misused oxycodone. Common symptoms of withdrawal include:

Anxiety
Cravings for oxycodone – these are one of the main symptoms that drive relapse
Diarrhea
Fast heartbeat
High blood pressure
Muscle aches
Nausea or vomiting
Sleep disturbances/Insomnia
Stomach cramps
Sweating.

In some people, withdrawal symptoms that persist for months and sometimes years may be experienced, for example:

Apathy
Depression
Difficulty concentrating or remembering
Inability to cope with stress
Intense opioid cravings
Irritability
Lacking in energy
Obsessive-compulsive behaviors
Persistent anxiety
Sleep difficulties.

How long does oxycodone withdrawal last?

Withdrawal symptoms from oxycodone typically begin within 12 to 36 hours of last use and peak around day 3 to day 4.

Controlling cravings is the key to a successful withdrawal from oxycodone, which is why medically managed treatment programs have the tools and medication to alleviate and control cravings and other withdrawal symptoms when they are at their most severe.

How long withdrawal from oxycodone lasts depends on how long you have been using oxycodone for, the dosage you have been taking, how often you take it, and if you have been using other substances alongside it (such as alcohol, benzodiazepines, or methamphetamine). In most people, withdrawal symptoms last 10 to 20 days, but some people can suffer from chronic withdrawal symptoms that persist for months, if not years.

References

Oxycodone Withdrawal Symptoms, Timeline & Detox Treatment American Addiction Centers Updated 10/2022. https://americanaddictioncenters.org/withdrawal-timelines-treatments/oxycodone
Oxycodone Prescribing Information. Updated 02/2022. Major Pharmaceuticals. https://www.drugs.com/pro/oxycodone.html

How long does oxycodone stay in your system?

Immediate-release oxycodone has a half-life of just under 4 hours which means the pain-relieving effects of one dose will be gone within 6 to 24 hours, but it can remain detectable in saliva, urine, and hair for much longer. In saliva, oxycodone is detectable within minutes of taking it and lasts for up to 48 hours (2 days). Oxycodone is detectable in urine within 1 to 3 hours and will stay detectable for 1 to 4 days. Like most other opioids, oxycodone is detectable in hair for up to 90 days. Continue reading

Which drugs cause opioid-induced constipation?

Any drug that is classified as an "opioid" can cause constipation. Examples of commonly prescribed opioids that may cause this side effect include morphine, tramadol, fentanyl, methadone, hydrocodone, codeine and oxycodone. Continue reading

Tramadol vs. Oxycodone: What are the key differences?

Tramadol and oxycodone are both prescription opioids widely used to manage moderate to severe pain, but they differ significantly in their potency, mechanisms, risks, and clinical applications. Understanding these differences is key for patients and healthcare providers when choosing the most appropriate pain management strategy.

What are the withdrawal symptoms of oxycodone?

How long does oxycodone withdrawal last?

Read next

How long does oxycodone stay in your system?

Which drugs cause opioid-induced constipation?

Tramadol vs. Oxycodone: What are the key differences?

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