Hydrocodone belongs to a class of drugs known as opioid analgesics. Also called dihydrocodeinone, it is a semi-synthetic narcotic indicated for the treatment of severe pain that requires daily, round-the-clock, long-term treatment and where treatment options are limited. It is a combination of Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen. Hydrocodone is an opioid pain reliever, while acetaminophen is a non-narcotic pain reliever. Narcotics are powerful drugs for treating moderate to severe pain. It is also an antitussive (Cough suppressant) that specializes in pain relief as more effective, or stronger, than Codeine for coughing and is about equal to morphine in helping with anxiety.

Hydrocodone Mechanism Of Action:

Hydrocodone works through other mechanisms to give you an instrument of action:

  • Hydrocodone acts as a narcotic receptor agonist and activates the narcotic receptors to provide pain relief effects. In addition, Hydrocodone activates delta and kappa narcotic receptors as plasma concentrations of the drug increase beyond initial doses.
  • Narcotic receptors are mainly concentrated in the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord, the intestinal plexus of the stomach, interstitial cells of Cajal, and resistant cells of the gastrointestinal tract. Narcotic receptors are G protein-coupled receptors that disrupt the cyclic system of adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), resulting in the secretion of nociceptive synapse discharge, postsynaptic neuronal hyperpolarization, and decreased neuronal excitability.
  • Coughing is a defense mechanism fueled by airway stimulation. The cough interferes with the mechanical sensation of cough receptors that are weakened by opioid antitussives, mainly at the central level of the individual tract, through the inhibition of glutamatergic transmission. The regulation of mu and kappa narcotic receptors may contribute to the antitussive action of narcotics. Narcotics reduce the coughing reflex by directly affecting the coughing area in the spine, causing upper respiratory pain.

Hydrocodone Uses:

Hydrocodone is used to treat severe and persistent pain that requires long-term treatment and when other pain medications do not work well or cannot be continued without serious side effects. This medicine should not be used to treat pain that you experience from time to time or “on a case-by-case basis.”

Hydrocodone comes in capsule, pill, and liquid form. Take this medication by mouth as directed by your PCP. You can take this medicine regardless of food. Assuming you are sick, it may be helpful to take this medicine with food. If you are using the extended-release capsules or extended-release tablets: 

  • The extended-release capsule is usually only needed once every 12 hours.
  • The extended-release pill is usually taken once a day.

Swallow extended-release tablets or capsules one at a time with plenty of water. Swallow each capsule or tablet as you put it in your mouth. Do not break, wet, or lick the extended-release tablets before putting them in your mouth.

  • If you are using the liquid form of this medicine, use a measuring device to calculate the recommended dose carefully. Try not to use a familiar spoon as you may not get the right portion.

You should thoroughly understand the Narcotic Pain Relief REMS program guidelines for preventing addiction, misuse, and abuse of Hydrocodone.

Hydrocodone Dosage:

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. The amount you take depends on the dosage of the medicine. In addition, the number of servings you need daily, the time allowed between dosages, and the length of time you take the medicine depends on the medical problem you are using the medicine for.

Hydrocodone pills are available in oral forms, 12-hour intravenous tablets of 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, and 50 mg, and 24-hour emergency room tablets of 20, 30, 40, 60, 80, 100, and 120 mg. mg strength. Dosages of hydrocodone IR blend materials usually range from 2.5 to 10 mg, taken every four to six hours on a case-by-case basis.

Hydrocodone in the emergency room is usually started at 10 to 20 mg and is processed every 12 to 24 hours, according to the specific definition. Besides, a slow titration phase is recommended for patients aged 65 and over. The drug manufacturer’s monographs should be referenced for detailed dosing and titration plans. Patients should be encouraged to stop any remaining meds when starting hydrocodone emergency treatment unless otherwise ordered by a physician.

Hydrocodone OverDose & Missed Dose:

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. Either way, when it’s almost time for your next serving, skip the missed serving and go back to your normal dosing schedule. Do not double dosages.

If someone goes overdosed and has serious symptoms, such as collapse or difficulty breathing, give naloxone. Naloxone is used to reverse the dangerous side effects of an overdose. It works by preventing the effects of opioids to reduce the risk caused by high levels of sedatives in the blood.  Overdose symptoms may include:

  • Slow breathing
  • Sweating
  • Stomach/abdominal pain
  • Lethargy
  • Slow heart rate
  • Red eyes/skin
  • Dark pee
  • Coma.

What Are The Side Effects Of Hydrocodone?

The most common side effects of Hydrocodone include dizziness and motion sickness. Additional side effects of Hydrocodone include the following:

  • Breathing: severe shortness of breath, shortness of breath, respiratory tract contamination
  • Cardiovascular: hypotension, bradycardia, and peripheral edema
  • Neurological: migraine, chills, anxiety, sedation, insomnia, dizziness, lethargy and weakness.
  • Dermatological: itching, sweating and rashes
  • Gastrointestinal: vomiting, dyspepsia, gastroenteritis, constipation and abdominal pain
  • Genitourinary: urinary tract disease and urinary retention related to prostatic hypertrophy
  • Optical: tinnitus and sensorineural auditory disorders
  • Endocrine: secondary adrenal insufficiency

Interactions:

Interacting with medications can change how your medication works or up your ante on serious side effects. Some products that may interact with these drugs are: 

Pain medication (combination of narcotic/thug agonists, for example, butorphanol, nalbuphine, pentazocine), naltrexone, and samidorphan. 

Hydrocodone effects can have an increase in respiratory depression when combined with various drugs, for example, other narcotics, benzodiazepines, non-benzodiazepine tranquilizers, psychotropics, and anticonvulsants. 

The risk of serious side effects (for example, slow/shallow breathing, extreme fatigue/restlessness) can be increased by assuming that this drug is taken with other substances that can cause slow or breathing problems. Tell your PCP or drug specialist if you are taking other products, such as certain narcotics or pain relievers (such as codeine, Oxycodone), alcoholic beverages, marijuana (marijuana), relaxation or anxiety medications (such as Xanax, Ativan, Ambien), muscle relaxants ( eg carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine) or allergy medicines (eg cetirizine, diphenhydramine).

Different medications can affect the removal of hydrocodone/acetaminophen from your body, which can affect how it works. Examples include azole antifungals (e.g., ketoconazole), macrolide anti-infective agents (e.g., erythromycin), levoketoconazole, mifepristone, HIV medications (e.g., tipranavir), rifamycins (e.g., rifabutin, rifampicin), ritonavir to treat medications used, such as seizure, ritonavir, prescription drugs (eg carbamazepine, phenytoin), among others.

Warning & Precautions:

The effects of Hydrocodone can delay or stop your relaxation. Never use this medicine in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Hydrocodone can be habit-forming even at normal doses. Never share this medication with another person, especially someone with a history of chronic drug use or addiction. Keep the medicine out of the reach of other people.

You should not use hydrocodone if you are severely dependent or have:

  • severe asthma or breathing problems; not at all
  • blockage in the stomach or intestines.

To make sure Hydrocodone is right for you, tell your PCP if you have had:

  • breathing problems, rest apnea
  • head injury, brain tumor, or epilepsy
  • drug or alcohol addiction or mental disorders
  • pee problems
  • liver or kidney infection
  • problems with the gallbladder, pancreas, or thyroid; not at all
  • a heart disease called long QT disorder.

Storage & Disposal of Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen:

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from humidity, moisture, and direct light. Avoid freezing. Keep away from young people. Try not to keep old medicines or unnecessary medicines no longer needed.

Then leave any unused narcotic medicine in the medicine collection area. If you don’t have a drug collection point nearby, flush any unused narcotic medication completely. Check your pharmacy and nearby locations for refunds.

Alternatives To Hydrocodone:

Hydrocodone may not work for everyone, so suggesting alternative options:

Lortab: Lortab, the hydrocodone formed by acetaminophen, is a good choice when the pain cannot be controlled by non-narcotics alone since it is non-narcotic to reduce the need for high dosages of narcotics.

Methadose (methadone): Methadose is an option for chronic pain patients over hydrocodone-acetaminophen for a few reasons. It may be an appropriate choice when the results prohibit increasing the measurement speed, as well as in the case of narcotic-induced hyperalgesia.

Cymbalta (duloxetine): Cymbalta is the preferred analgesic of Hydrocodone in the management of certain types of chronic pain, which can be classified as neuropathic pain, irritable or joint pain, and non-inflammatory/non-neuropathic pain.

Naprosyn (naproxen): Naprosyn is a type of NSAID and can act as a good alternative to narcotic drugs like hydrocodone-acetaminophen in some clinics. With Naprosyn, you can avoid side effects common to narcotics, such as constipation and fatigue.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How Long Does Hydrocodone Stay In Urine?

The process of hydrocodone identification can depend on factors such as the dosage of the drug, the return of action, and the concept of the use of hydrocodone. It is usually noted in urine for one to four days after use.

Does Hydrocodone Make You Sleepy?

Yes, Hydrocodone can make consumers drowsy. First, because sleepiness is a symptom of using Hydrocodone, and second because this pain reliever and narcotic can also affect the quality of a person’s sleep.

Can You Take Ibuprofen With Hydrocodone?

Both ibuprofen and Hydrocodone relieve pain. However, they work in slightly different ways and are used by different parts of the body. Hydrocodone is an analgesic, a type of medication that reduces pain signals in the sensory nerves. Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal attenuating drug (NSAID) that prevents the production of prostaglandin that irritates the body.

What is the Difference Between Hydrocodone and Oxycodone?

Hydrocodone and Oxycodone relieve pain. However, both are a type of narcotic pain, which can be habit-forming. They are very similar, but there are some differences in the results.