Disaster Preparedness
Hurricane: Withdrawal
In emergency situations, clinics or pharmacies may be closed. You may not be able to refill your prescriptions like usual. This means that if you are currently on any form of opioid, benzodiazepine, or anti-depressant medication, you could experience withdrawal symptoms.
Slowly reduce (taper) dosage by 25% every day, or by 25% every other day.
Important:
If you are taking extended release versions of opioids, NEVER break tablets, open capsules or cut patches to reduce dosage. This can release the whole dose at once, causing overdose or death. To reduce dosage, take the whole pill or use the whole patch, just less often.
For shorter-acting medications: Taper dosage by 25% every day, or an additional 25% every other day.
For longer-acting medications: Beginning at half the supply of your normal prescription – or with whatever you have left – take your medication every other day.
Important:
Single seizures are usually not life-threatening. But if they continue and do not stop, they CAN be life-threatening. Go to a hospital or relief center as soon as possible. The person experiencing the seizure should be given fluids as soon as he or she is conscious and can drink.
If you take one tablet a day, taper by taking one every other day. If you take several tablets a day, taper by taking one or two a day.
If you are unable to manage withdrawal for any reason, go immediately to the nearest emergency room or relief center and tell them that you are – or will be – experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
The material on this card is not intended to substitute for the opinion of a medical professional. Always consult a medical professional with questions and concerns about your medical condition.
FEMA (202) 646-2452
American Red Cross (866) 438-4636
Recognizing Opioid Withdrawal
- Yawning
- Sweating
- Tearing
- Runny nose
- Abdominal cramps
- Nausea/vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
- Dilated pupils
- Goose bumps
- Muscle twitches/aches/pains
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Increased pulse
- Increased respiratory rate
- Elevated blood pressure
- Seizure (normally followed by confusion)
Managing Opioid Withdrawal
Slowly reduce (taper) dosage by 25% every day, or by 25% every other day.
Important:
If you are taking extended release versions of opioids, NEVER break tablets, open capsules or cut patches to reduce dosage. This can release the whole dose at once, causing overdose or death. To reduce dosage, take the whole pill or use the whole patch, just less often.
Recognizing Benzodiazepine Withdrawal (Similar to Opioid Withdrawal)
- Anxiety
- Muscle twitches
- Seizure (normally followed by confusion)
Managing Benzodiazepine Withdrawal
For shorter-acting medications: Taper dosage by 25% every day, or an additional 25% every other day.
For longer-acting medications: Beginning at half the supply of your normal prescription – or with whatever you have left – take your medication every other day.
Important:
Single seizures are usually not life-threatening. But if they continue and do not stop, they CAN be life-threatening. Go to a hospital or relief center as soon as possible. The person experiencing the seizure should be given fluids as soon as he or she is conscious and can drink.
Recognizing Antidepressant Withdrawal (Similar to Opioid Withdrawal but Milder)
- Depression/anxiety
- Muscle twitches
Managing Antidepressant Withdrawal
If you take one tablet a day, taper by taking one every other day. If you take several tablets a day, taper by taking one or two a day.
If you are unable to manage withdrawal for any reason, go immediately to the nearest emergency room or relief center and tell them that you are – or will be – experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
The material on this card is not intended to substitute for the opinion of a medical professional. Always consult a medical professional with questions and concerns about your medical condition.
Emergency Numbers
FEMA (202) 646-2452
American Red Cross (866) 438-4636