Drug description Hydrocodone

Hydrocodone is an opioid pain drug that helps treat moderate pain. To treat severe pain, you can use the extended-release form of Hydrocodone because they are beneficial for the around-the-clock treatment of severe pain. Two of the available drugs as extended-release forms of Hydrocodone are Zohydro ER and Hysingla ER. extended-release forms are not for use on an as-needed basis.

Important Information

• Hydrocodone comes with several warnings because of its high potential for abuse and addiction. Suppose you keep taking this drug for a longer time and manage to tolerate this drug. Here, it may take a long duration to feel relief from the pain.
• Your medical healthcare provider may prescribe Hydrocodone following an injury or a major surgery or treat other types of severe pain like cancer or arthritis.
• The use of any medication like Hydrocodone may cause serotonin syndrome or toxicity. “Be aware if you have serotonin syndrome symptoms, such as agitation, hallucinations, sweating, shivering, fever, rapid heart rate, stiffness in muscles, twitching, loss of incoordination, vomiting”, nausea, or diarrhea.

What to know before taking Hydrocodone?

• Before taking Hydrocodone, ask your medical healthcare provider if you are allergic to it. And if you are allergic, then avoid taking this drug or any similar medicine.
• This drug functions by binding to the mu-opioid receptor and works in your brain to block pain signals and decrease the ability to feel pain. The combination of Hydrocodone with acetaminophen leads to the formation of Norco.
• Do not use it during pregnancy because it may lead to the birth of a drug-independent baby. It may lead to life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby. An opioid-dependent baby may need medical treatment for several weeks.
• Do not breastfeed while taking this medicine. If the Hydrocodone passes into breast milk, it may cause breathing problems, drowsiness, or death in a nursing baby.

How to take Hydrocodone?

• Take Hydrocodone orally as per your doctor’s prescription. You may consume all forms of Hydrocodone with or without food. “If you are feeling nauseated, then you should take it with food”. Ask any of your medical health care providers about other ways to decrease nausea (such as lying down for an hour or two with minimum head movement).
• Never share an opioid medicine like Hydrocodone with someone else, especially someone with a history of any substance use disorder such as drug overuse or alcohol addiction. Misuse of Hydrocodone can cause addiction, overdose, or death.
• Store Hydrocodone away from heat and moisture at room temperature. Keep track of your medication. Be aware of someone misusing your drug or taking it without a prescription. Dispose of the leftover opioid medication. Just one accidental or improper use of this medicine can cause death.
• Swallow the whole extended-release pill rather than crushing, chewing, or opening it to avoid exposure to a potentially fatal dose. Do not suddenly stop taking Hydrocodone after long-term use, or you may face unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Take the doctor’s help to stop using this medicine safely.

Hydrocodone side effects

Interaction of some medicines with an opioid-like Hydrocodone may lead to serotonin syndrome, a severe health condition. Tell your medical health care professional if you already take drugs for depression, migraine headaches, mental illness, Parkinson’s disease, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. Hydrocodone may cause drowsiness, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, lightheadedness, or constipation. Some of these side effects may reduce over time, and if any of them persist or worsen, then consult your medical healthcare provider.  Tell your medical healthcare provider if any of the following severe side effects occur:

• Interrupted breathing during sleep.
• fainting.
• Stomach or abdominal pain.
• Seizure (or convulsions).
• Difficulty urinating.
• Extreme drowsiness or difficulty waking up.
• Slow or shallow breathing.
• Mental changes or mood swings such as confusion, agitation, hallucinations; or
• Signs of your adrenal glands not working efficiently such as weight loss, unusual tiredness, loss of appetite

Any severe allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, take immediate medical help if you notice signs of an allergic reaction that may be severe. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction may include trouble breathing, rash, severe dizziness, itching, or swelling in your face, tongue, or throat.  Keep in mind that it is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. For further information regarding side effects, consult your medical healthcare professional. Also, you may report it to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.