What Medications Are Prescribed to Treat Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome?
Within an opioid detox program, there are several medications prescribed to assist with managing your opioid withdrawal symptoms, cleanse your body, and reduce your chances of opioid withdrawal complications. Healthcare providers will give you certain medications based on the severity of your opioid addiction. Here are several essential medications frequently employed to assist you during your opioid detox program:
Methadone
Methadone is a long-acting opioid medication that is prescribed to treat Opioid Use Disorders (OUDs). It will help decrease your opioid cravings and opioid withdrawal symptoms, helping your body adjust and get back to normal. Additionally, it minimizes your risk of relapse.
Buprenorphine
As a partial opioid agonist, buprenorphine will alleviate your opioid withdrawal symptoms and opioid cravings, decrease your risk of overdose, and assist you as you transition into opioid dependency recovery.
Clonidine
Clonidine is also commonly prescribed by healthcare providers to help manage opioid withdrawal symptoms because it reduces anxiety, physical withdrawal symptoms, and agitation. It accomplishes this by decreasing the release of norepinephrine.
Lofexidine
As an alpha-2-adrenergic receptor agonist, this medication helps to manage your opioid withdrawal symptoms, aiding in your comfort level. It is usually only utilized in the short term during the acute withdrawal.