Opiate withdrawal

Background

  • Onset depends on drug used, usually ~12 hours after last heroin, ~30 hours after last methadone
  • extremely unpleasant, but not life-threatening

Clinical Features

  • tachycardia, mydriasis, piloerection, diaphoresis
  • restlessness, insomnia, anxiety
  • rhinorrhea, yawning
  • nausea/vomiting, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, muscle cramps

Differential Diagnosis

Evaluation

Management

  • symptomatic/supportive care in the
    • anti-emetics
    • analgesia
    • clonidine
    • dicyclomine
  • methadone, buprenorphine

Disposition

See Also

External Links

References