Hydrocodone

Hydrocodone is a narcotic analgesic used for pain relief:

• Pronounced ‘hye-droe-KOE-done’.
• Semi-synthetic opioid derived from two naturally occurring opiates: codeine and thebaine.
• Pure Hydrocodone is not commercially available in the U.S.
• Available in syrup and tablet form (Canada).
• Most commonly known as the brand Vicodin.
• Average oral dosage for pain in adults, 5 to 10 mg every four to six hours as needed (syrup or tablets; and in children, 0.15 mg per kilogram of body weight).
• As adult cough suppressant, 5 mg every four to six hours (child doses by doctor’s recommendation only).
• Alcohol, sleep aids, or other sedative medicines may magnify side effects, especially drowsiness.
• To be taken under doctor’s care with caution when using bladder or urinary medications, bronchodilators, adrenal gland treatment, irritable bowel medications, and certain other drugs. (See Hydrocodone Side Effects for more.)
• Combined with acetaminophen, administered to relieve moderate to severe pain, marketed under several brand names.
  
• Acetaminophen, the milder pain reliever of the two, magnifies the effects of Hydrocodone.
• Acetaminophen medicines are not advised for patients with a history of alcoholism and cirrhosis.
• Possible contraindications or allergic reactions for patients with: asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, or other respiratory disorders; liver, kidney, stomach or intestinal disorders; low blood pressure and circulatory disorders; a history of head injury, brain tumor, or cranial pressure; an under-active thyroid, Addison's disease, or other adrenal gland disorder; mental illness or suicidal thoughts; or, drug or alcohol addiction history.
• Acetaminophen overdose may cause liver damage.
• Provokes severe and sometimes fatal heart and breathing problems.
• Worsening symptoms that require medical attention include: short, slowed or shallow breathing or irregular pulse and heartbeat.
• Elderly patients react more acutely to side effects.
• Use during pregnancy or breast-feeding can cause harm to a newborn.
• Causes birth defects in animal testing when given in very large doses.
• May cause respiratory disorders in unborn children during pregnancy and can be transmitted through mother’s milk to newborns.
• Less serious physical reactions involve dizziness, stomach upset, dry mouth, blurred vision, or mild nausea.
• Some, but not all, symptoms of overdose: pinpoint pupils, vomiting, stupor, dark urine, weak pulse, coma, slow shallow breathing, or no breathing.
• Avoid alcohol when using Hydrocodone since its sedation effects tend to multiply, and can aggravate the respiratory system.
• Federal law prohibits the sharing of controlled narcotics like Hydrocodone with others.
• Impairs the ability to operate hazardous machinery or vehicles.
• Maximum dose of acetaminophen for adults is 1000 mg (1 gram) per dose, and 4000 mg (4 grams) per day.
• One Hydrocodone-acetaminophen tablet may contain up to 750 mg of acetaminophen.
• Can be habit forming, and must be taken according to instructions under doctor’s orders.
• Discontinue gradually, only under doctor’s care.
• Potential to cause physical or psychological dependence, unless used infrequently.
• Produces severe withdrawal symptoms with abrupt cessation after prolonged use.
• Use with sedatives, antidepressants, or alcoholic beverages can increase risk of adverse side effects, dizziness, or unconsciousness.
• Prolonged dosage other than prescribed can lead to dependency.
• Among 6.4 million Americans using prescriptions for non-medical purposes, more than 73% abused pain relievers like Hydrocodone (2006, National Household Survey).