Lortab Withdrawal Question-Medical Doctors Answer Only, Please!!

Question

I'm posting this for my friend whom taked a medicine called Lortab. She has been illegally taking 1/2 or 1 "10" Lortab per day for about a month. She is getting withdrawal symptoms. I said see a Dr. She wants to "taper off." Is there a formula for "tapering off?" What sort of withdrawal is she experiencing? She also has a perscription (legally) for Xanax. She also takes her Lortab with coffee for whatever reason. Any input would help. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

With such a low dose of hydrocodone (the active opiate in Lortab) your friend shouldn't be experiencing many withdrawal symptoms.  The "normal" dose of hydrocodone for acute pain is 5-10mg every 4-6 hrs.  This can be done for weeks to months.  This dosage might cause some withdrawals.

Withdrawals symptoms are about the same from any opiate.  The intensity may not be the same.  The most common symptoms are:

Nausea/Vomiting

Headache

Chills

Other flu-like symptoms

The best way to taper down a dose is the gradually cut the dosage over several days to a week.  Since she is taking such a low dose she could do this quickly.  She could take 1/2 a tablet for one day, a quarter the next and then stop.  She could actually just stop taking the medication now without many adverse reactions.

Taking Lortab with coffee does not affect the drug in any way.