Opioid withdrawal

Background

  • Natural derivatives: Heroin, Morphine, Codeine, Hydrocodone, Oxycodone (+ UDS)
  • Synthetic: Fentanyl, Hydromorphone, Buprenorphine, Methadone, Meperidine, Dextromethorphan (- UDS)
  • Opioid withdrawal can be precipitated with administration of antagonist (e.g. naloxone) or partial agonist (e.g. buprenorphine) [1] or as a result of cessation of use
  • Symptoms are usually uncomfortable but not life-threatening and manifest with agitation and restlessness but does not cause altered mental status
  • Symptoms may resemble that of Influenza [2]
    • Catecholamine surge during withdrawal may cause a level of hemodynamic instability that may not be tolerated by patients with co-morbid conditions
    • Withdrawal can be life-threatening in neonates

Adult Opioid Withdrawal

  • Heroin: onset 6-12 hours, peak 24-72 hours, duration 7-10 days[3]
  • Methadone: onset 24-72 hours, peak 4-6 days, duration 14 days or more
  • Fentanyl: onset 2-5 hours, peak 8-12 hours, duration 4-5 days
  • Buprenorphine: 4-48 hours, peak 96 hours, duration 14-21 days

Precipitated Withdrawal

  • Naloxone: onset 1-3 min, duration: 30-60min
  • Butorphanol or nalbuphine: 15 min, duration: 90 min
  • Naltrexone: 15-30min, duration 12-24hours
  • Buprenorphine: 10-15min, duration 12-24 hours

Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal

Clinical Features

Time to peak and duration of symptoms depends on the half-life of the drug involved

Early symptoms

  • Agitation/restlessness
  • Anxiety
  • Muscle aches
  • Increased tearing
  • Insomnia
  • Runny nose
  • Sweating
  • Yawning
  • Skin-Crawling
  • May be tachycardic and/or tachypneic but not necessarily

Late symptoms

  • Unlike alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawal, patients rarely have seizures
  • Altered mental status is also not part of opiod withdrawal signs

Differential Diagnosis

Differential is largely based on clinical symptoms and history

Sedative/hypnotic withdrawal

Evaluation

Management

Treatment is largely supportive without the need for any pharmacologic intervention in the ED unless there is serious hemodynamic abnormalities

Supportive Care

  • PO/IV hydration
  • Electrolyte repletion

Opioid replacement

  • Opioid administration such as morphine can be given as needed for symptom control

Clonidine

  • A central α2 agonist that does suppress the sympathetic hyperactivity that results during acute withdrawal
  • Dosing: 0.1mg PO (or 5mcg/kg PO if SBP >90 mmHg) every 60 minutes as needed for sympathetic symptoms
    • Major adverse effect is hypotension
  • Clonidine patches are not useful for acute withdrawal due to the 24hr delayed release[citation needed]

Lofexidine

  • A newer central alpha2 agonist

Buspirone

  • Generally reserved for outpatient therapy
  • Decreases serotonergic activity[5]

Benzodiazepines

  • Can be added along with with clonidine for adequate sedation

Antihistamines

Methadone

  • Consider if withdrawal was precipitated by interruption in opioid use, NOT if antagonist (e.g. narcan) was given
  • Dose: 10mg IM or 20mg PO

Disposition

  • Patients who need long term detoxification can be admitted or transferred to detox facilities
  • If patients are going to continue to use opioids then those who are stable can be discharged
  • Patients with severe withdrawal requiring sedation and continued monitoring should be admitted

External Links

See Also

References

  1. Olmedo R, Hoffman RS. Withdrawal syndromes. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2000;18(2):273–88.
  2. Kosten TR, O’Connor PG. Management of drug and alcohol withdrawal. N Engl J Med 2003;348:1786-95
  3. Herring, A et al. Managing opiod withdrawal in the emergency department with buprenorphine. Annals of Emergency Medicine. 2019.73(5) 481-487
  4. Doberczak TM et al. Relationship between maternal methadone dosage, maternal-neonatal methadone levels, and neonatal withdrawal. Obstet Gynecol. 1993. 81:936–940.
  5. Van den Brink W et al. Evidence-based treatment of opioid-dependent patients. Can J Psychiatry 2006; 51:635.