Skip to main content

What are the withdrawal symptoms of oxycodone?

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on March 13, 2023.

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

Read next

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

Oxycodone vs OxyContin - What's the difference?

Oxycodone (also known as Oxy IR) and Oxycontin both contain oxycodone, but the main difference is that Oxycontin is the brand name of a long-acting form of oxycodone. Oxycontin releases oxycodone slowly and continuously over 12 hours and only needs to be given twice a day. Oxycodone is shorter-acting, with an average half-life of 3.2 hours, which means that half the dose of oxycodone is eliminated in 3.2 hours, which is why it is usually given four to six times a day to provide all-day pain relief. Oxycodone is usually given for acute pain, such as that following surgery or trauma, whereas Oxycontin may be given for chronic or long-term pain, such as that caused by cancer. Oxycontin should only be considered in those with chronic severe pain that have already found a trial of oxycodone to be beneficial. Continue reading

Related medical questions

Drug information

Related support groups

Medical Disclaimer