Xodol Withdrawal: Symptoms, Timeline & Treatment

Xodol is a powerful prescription painkiller that combines hydrocodone and acetaminophen to relieve moderate to severe pain. While effective for short-term use, it carries a high risk of dependence. Many people start taking Xodol as prescribed, only to find themselves needing higher doses over time just to function. When the body becomes dependent, stopping Xodol suddenly can trigger intense withdrawal symptoms, making it hard to quit without help.

Withdrawal from Xodol can be physically and emotionally draining, with symptoms ranging from muscle pain and nausea to severe cravings and anxiety. The fear of Xodol withdrawal keeps many people trapped in the cycle of addiction, but detox programs can ease discomfort and provide medical support. Understanding what to expect during withdrawal and detox can help you or a loved one take the first tentative step toward sustained recovery.

What Is Xodol?

Xodol is a prescription pain medication that combines hydrocodone, a powerful opioid, with acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol. It is prescribed to manage moderate to severe pain when other treatments are not enough. Like other opioids, Xodol changes how the brain perceives pain, providing relief but also producing a sense of relaxation and euphoria that can lead to misuse [1].

Doctors typically prescribe Xodol for short-term pain relief, such as after surgery or injury. However, long-term use or misuse can lead to tolerance, dependence, and addiction [2]. Tolerance means that the body requires higher doses over time to achieve the same effects. If someone takes the medication regularly and then suddenly stops, withdrawal symptoms of Xodol can occur as the body struggles to function without the drug. 

What Is Xodol Withdrawal Like?

When someone becomes dependent on Xodol, their body relies on the drug to function normally. Stopping Xodol or reducing the dosage causes the brain and nervous system to react by triggering withdrawal symptoms. Xodol withdrawal symptoms can start within hours of the last dose and usually peak within a few days.

The intensity of Xodol withdrawal depends on how long a person has used Xodol, their dosage, and their overall health. Some people experience mild discomfort, while others go through severe withdrawal that makes quitting feel impossible without medical help.

 Common symptoms of Xodol withdrawal include:

• Flu-like symptoms: Sweating, chills, fever, and runny nose.
• Muscle pain and body aches: Sharp or dull pain throughout the body.
• Nausea and vomiting: Difficulty keeping food down.
• Diarrhea and stomach cramps: Severe digestive issues.
• Intense cravings: A strong urge to use Xodol again.
• Anxiety and restlessness: Feelings of panic or unease.
• Depression and mood swings: Sudden emotional changes.
• Trouble sleeping: Insomnia and frequent waking at night.
• Increased heart rate and high blood pressure: Cardiovascular stress.

Withdrawal symptoms of Xodol can last from a few days to a few weeks, depending on how severe the addiction is. Some people also experience PAWS (post-acute withdrawal syndrome), where anxiety, cravings, and mood swings continue for months after getting off Xodol [3].

Why Xodol Abuse Causes Withdrawal

Xodol withdrawal happens because opioids change the way the brain works. When taken regularly, hydrocodone floods the brain with dopamine, a chemical that creates feelings of pleasure and relaxation. Over time, the brain stops producing dopamine and relies on Xodol to feel normal.

 When someone stops taking Xodol, the brain struggles to adjust. Without the drug, dopamine levels drop suddenly, leading to physical and emotional withdrawals from Xodol. The nervous system also becomes too active, causing symptoms like muscle pain, sweating, and restlessness.

People who misuse the medication—by taking higher doses, using it without a prescription, or mixing it with other drugs—are at an even higher risk of severe Xodol withdrawal. The more a person depends on the drug, the harder it is for their body to function without it.

While Xodol withdrawal can feel overpowering, it is a sign that the body is healing. With the right detox support, symptoms can be managed safely, reducing the risk of relapse and making sustained recovery more likely. 

What Is Detox for Xodol Like?

Detoxing from Xodol is the first step in breaking free from opioid dependence. When someone stops taking the drug, their body goes through withdrawal as it adjusts to functioning without opioids. This process can be physically and emotionally taxing, which is why many people choose a medical detox program for support. Detox programs help manage withdrawal symptoms, reduce discomfort, and prevent serious health risks like dehydration, high blood pressure, or severe cravings.

 Xodol detox can take place in two main settings:

1. Inpatient detox: A hospital or rehab facility where medical staff provide around-the-clock care. This is the safest option for those with severe addictions, a high relapse risk, or co-occurring health conditions.
2. Outpatient detox: A structured program where people receive medical check-ins and medications but stay at home. This works best for those with mild to moderate dependence and a strong support system.

 Here’s what happens during detox from Xodol:

• Medical evaluation: Doctors assess medical history, substance use, and mental health.
• Tapering or MAT (medication-assisted treatment): Some people gradually reduce their Xodol dose, while others take medications like buprenorphine or methadone to ease the side effects of stopping Xodol.
• Symptom management: Medications for nausea, anxiety, and muscle pain help keep Xodol withdrawals under control.
• Monitoring and support: Doctors track symptoms and intervene if complications arise.

Most people go through the worst of withdrawal in 5 to 7 days, but some may experience lingering symptoms for weeks. Detox is just the beginning—long-term treatment is needed to prevent relapse and support recovery.

Xodol Withdrawal Timeline

While everyone’s experience with Xodol withdrawal is different, Xodol withdrawal symptoms typically follow this general timeline:

• 6–12 Hours After Last Dose: Early withdrawal symptoms may begin. Anxiety, restlessness, sweating, insomnia, and cravings can occur.
• 1–3 Days: Symptoms typically peak. You may experience muscle aches, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, goosebumps, runny nose, irritability, and mood swings.
• 4–7 Days: Physical symptoms begin to subside. Psychological symptoms may persist, such as anxiety, depression, trouble sleeping, and mood instability.
• 1–2 Weeks: Most physical symptoms resolve. Lingering fatigue, anxiety, and low mood may remain.
• 3+ Weeks: Post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS) may appear in some. Emotional dysregulation, cravings, and sleep problems may continue without support or treatment.

Withdrawing from opioids like Xodol is never safe to do at home. Getting a medically-supervised detox is essential to prevent severe or life-threatening symptoms from occurring.

What Happens After Xodol Detox?

Completing detox is a huge step, but staying sober requires more than just getting through withdrawal. Without ongoing support, cravings and emotional triggers can make relapse highly likely. That’s why people recovering from Xodol addiction need a long-term treatment plan that includes therapy, counseling, and lifestyle changes.

Treatment options after detox include:

• Inpatient rehab: A residential program that provides therapy, medical care, and structured support for those who need a drug-free environment.
• Outpatient treatment: A flexible program where people attend therapy while continuing daily life. This works best for those with mild to moderate addiction and a strong support system.
• Support groups: Programs like NA (Narcotics Anonymous) and 12-step meetings provide peer support and guidance.
• Individual therapy: Treatments like CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) help people change harmful thought patterns, manage stress, and build healthier habits [4].

 Some people benefit from MAT to control cravings and prevent relapse. Options include: 

• Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone): Reduces withdrawal symptoms and blocks opioid effects.
• Vivitrol (naltrexone): Prevents opioids from producing a high, lowering relapse risk.

Staying sober requires commitment and ongoing support, but recovery is possible. With the right treatment, people can rebuild their lives, regain control, and break free from Xodol addiction for good.

Xodol Withdrawal FAQs

Is there withdrawal from Sublocade?

Yes, withdrawal from Sublocade (buprenorphine extended-release) can happen if someone stops using it. Since it stays in the body for a long time, withdrawal symptoms may appear weeks or even months after the last dose. Symptoms can include anxiety, muscle aches, nausea, and cravings, but they are usually less intense than withdrawal from short-acting opioids. 

Is hydrocodone hard on the liver?

Hydrocodone alone is not as toxic to the liver, but when combined with acetaminophen, as in Xodol, it can be dangerous in high doses. Taking more than the recommended amount of acetaminophen (over 4,000mg per day) can lead to liver damage or even failure, especially in people who drink alcohol or have liver disease.

What is tapered withdrawal?

Tapered withdrawal is a gradual reduction of a drug’s dosage to minimize withdrawal symptoms. Instead of quitting suddenly, doctors slowly lower the dose over days or weeks, allowing the body to adjust. This method is commonly used for opioids, benzodiazepines, and antidepressants to reduce discomfort and relapse risk.

What is the generic name for Xodol?

The generic version of Xodol is hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen. It is available under different brand and generic names, but all versions contain the same active ingredients and work in the same way to relieve pain. 

Get Help for Xodol Addiction at Renaissance Recovery

If you or a loved one needs help getting back on track from prescription drug addiction, contact Renaissance Recovery. We have beachside rehabs in Florida and California where you can move from active addiction to sustained recovery.

 Our outpatient programs are flexible and affordable, enabling you to continue living at home while getting first-class and evidence-based therapy at one of our beachside rehab centers.

 Every addiction is unique, so all our treatment plans are personalized. Therapies might include:

• Medication management
• Counseling
• Talk therapies
• Motivational therapies
• Family therapy
• Group therapy
• Holistic interventions
• Aftercare planning

 Kickstart your recovery right away by calling 866-330-9449.

Sources

 [1] https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/opioids

 [2] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8583742/

 [3] https://sbmi.uth.edu/heroes/documents/Post-Acute-Withdrawal.pdf

 [4] https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/cognitive-behavioral