How many days to significantly decrease your opioid tolerance?

[Steady3]

I've been taking prescription pain medicine everyday for the past week and a half for medical reasons. I obviously don't want to become physically dependent. About how many days of no use will bring my tolerance down so I will notice it?

Thanks

 

[pj9812]

Give it 3 full days ur tolerance will go down a lot u only had a 1.5 week binge

 

[wezface]

It really depends on how much you've been taking. A week and a half isn't long so three days should probably work. Were you taking it as prescribed?

 

[Steady3]

Yes, for the most part. The first week I was prescribed one percocet (5mg) every 4-6 hours, and I took between 2-3 a day. The past .5 week I've been prescribed 1-2 norco (5mg) every 4-6 hours, and have taken 4-6 a day. Two days mixed in the past week I was given 2mg dilaudid at the hospital each time. Thanks for your help guys

 

[wezface]

Then it's very possible you haven't built up much of a tolerance at all. Are you noticing decreased effect already? There are a few things you can do to help with that without having to go without if you're taking it short-term as prescribed:

1. If you can tolerate it, always take opiate medication on an empty stomach followed by a snack or small meal to get your gastric juices flowing. This will not only increase effect but decrease duration of onset.
2. Look into using potentiators such as grapefruit juice and diphenhydrame (which some people like but personally just makes me tired)
3. Make sure you're doing any prescribed physical therapy or other therapies for your pain.

 

[Steady3]

Yes, I'm noticing a slight decrease in effect. I have a slight opioid tolerance even before these past two weeks, maybe that has something to do with it. I try to take it on an empty stomach, but sometimes I get really nauseous and even promethazine (also prescribed) doesn't help. I've taken potentiaters as well, but will try benadryl, thanks.