Updated September 22, 2021

Lortab is a narcotic pain medication that is commonly prescribed for chronic pain and after minor surgeries. Lortab is composed of acetaminophen and Hydrocodone. The Hydrocodone that Lortab contains is the opioid that commonly leads to addiction in individuals who take the medication. Acetaminophen is available as an over-the-counter pain reliever and fever reducer, but when combined with Hydrocodone it potentiates its effects. Hydrocodone is an opiate that is prescribed often to relieve moderate and severe pain. According to the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Hydrocodone is abused more than any other opiate on the market or the streets.

Addiction to Lortab

The Hydrocodone contained within Lortab binds to receptors in the brain that block signals of pain that are sent to the central nervous system. Lortab is comparable to other narcotic pain medications including Percocet and Vicodin. When Lortab isn’t used properly as prescribed, addiction typically develops. Many people that abuse Lortab continues to use it due to the feelings of euphoria it can cause.

Common side effects of Lortab include:

• Dry mouth
• Blurred vision
• Nausea
• Headaches
• Feeling Lightheaded

There are also common signs of Lortab addiction and abuse. If Lortab isn’t used properly as prescribed by a doctor and is abused, the following side effects may occur:

• Mood swings
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Risk of overdose
• Inability to maintain relationships, duties of a job, or family relationships at home

Lortab can also cause overdose, as mentioned previously. If you experience the following symptoms, you may be having an overdose and you should call 911 immediately:

• Blood in urine
• Irregular heartbeat
• Losing consciousness
• Slowed breathing or difficulty breathing
• Cardiac arrest
• Drastically low blood pressure

What is Lortab Withdrawal?

If you decide to quit Lortab, you must decide how to proceed. You should not quit Lortab immediately or cold turkey. There are multiple methods to withdraw and detox from Lortab. One method of detox is to taper off Lortab. Tapering is slowly lowering each dose of Lortab you take until you reach a small dose. After the tapering process is completed, it is usually easier to quit taking Lortab.

Many medical professionals recommend that Lortab users use the tapering method in order to decrease the duration and intensity of the withdrawal symptoms. This method also lowers risks that are associated with withdrawing from Lortab for individuals with very severe addictions and other co-morbid medical conditions. Tapering should not be done without the help of a medical professional. Along with getting clients off of Lortab, detox centers help them create an ongoing treatment plan to ensure long-term recovery.

Lortab Withdrawal Symptoms

Symptoms typically begin to surface as soon as a couple of hours after the last dose is taken. Lortab detox is typically very unpleasant and uncomfortable for individuals who experience side effects. Lortab withdrawal is typically not associated with fatal symptoms. Common withdrawal symptoms from Lortab include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Panic attacks
• Cravings
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Lethargy
• Headaches
• Increased sweating
• Increased tear production
• Insomnia and other sleep issues
• Joint pain
• Anxiety
• Irritability

These symptoms typically begin to surface between several hours to several days after the last dose of Lortab that was taken. Generally, the process of withdrawal lasts for approximately a week. Symptoms may resurface during the first month sober from Lortab including anxiety and cravings. The duration of withdrawal depends on many factors including how long you have been taking Lortab, how much Lortab you have been taking, and other factors such as co-occurring medical and psychological diagnoses.

Lortab Detox

The timeline for withdrawal typically occurs in stages. During the first 24 to 48 hours, you will experience an increase in the physical symptoms from withdrawal. This includes feelings such as:

• Intense cravings
• Fever
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Body aches
• Lethargy

The physical withdrawal symptoms typically peak during the first two days of detox. After the first 48 hours, the following 48 hours (i.e., days 3 and 5) you will continue to feel the physical withdrawal symptoms, but they will start to lessen in severity. The symptoms typically felt during this time period are:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Increased tear production
• Increased sweating

It is important to keep in mind that you may experience dehydration due to these side effects. It is critical to stay as hydrated as possible during this time. During the sixth day of detox, the physical symptoms will begin to go away and you will begin to experience psychological symptoms including anxiety, irritability, agitation, and insomnia. By the eighth day, you will notice that the majority of the symptoms you were experiencing related to detox have diminished. For some individuals, the psychological symptoms can last for over a month.

Due to the severity of withdrawal symptoms, it is best for individuals to go through detox at a professional detox facility. If you or a loved one are seeking help for Lortab addiction, please contact us today. Novo Detox focuses on treating withdrawal symptoms quickly by keeping you comfortable and treating you with respect as you begin your recovery.