Hydrocodone Tablet: Benefits, Dosage and Side Effects

Hydrocodone is a pain reliever commonly prescribed by doctors and sold under the brand name Vicodin.

This medicine contains hydrocodone and acetaminophen, which can be very strong and become habit-forming.

Hydrocodone Tablet Uses

Key Benefits:

• Provides effective relief from moderate to severe pain
• Can improve quality of life in chronic pain patients under proper medical supervision

Commonly used for:

• This drug is used to reduce mild to extreme pain. It includes an opioid pain reliever (hydrocodone) and a pain reliever which is not an opioid (acetaminophen).
• Hydrocodone acts in the brain to modify how pain is felt and reacted to by the body. Acetaminophen may also decrease a fever.
• Extended-release (long-acting) capsules or extended-release tablets of hydrocodone should not be used for the treatment of pain that can be managed by medicine.
• Hydrocodone is in a class of medications called opiate analgesics (narcotics).

Conditions Hydrocodone Treats:

• Post-operative pain
• Injury-related pain (e.g., fractures, dental surgery)
• Chronic pain (e.g., arthritis, back pain)
• Severe cough (in combination products)

How Does Hydrocodone Work?

Hydrocodone is an opioid agonist, meaning it binds to mu-opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord. This:

• Blocks pain signals from reaching the brain
• Alters the emotional response to pain
• In cough medications, it'suppresses the cough reflex in the brain

Dosage of Hydrocodone

Dosage Instructions

• Immediate-release tablets (e.g., with acetaminophen): Usually 5-10 mg hydrocodone every 4-6 hours as needed
• Extended-release forms: Dosed once or twice daily for chronic pain (exact dose varies by patient)

Only take as prescribed. Misuse can lead to addiction, overdose, or death.

What Should I do If I Miss a Dose?

If you are on a daily schedule using this medication and skip a dose, use it as soon as you recall.

If the time for the next dose is close, skip the skipped dose. Use the next dose at a normal time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

What Happens in Case of Overdose?

Overdose of a drug can be accidental. If you have taken more than the prescribed hydrocodone tablets, there is a chance of getting a harmful effect on your body's functions. Overdose of a medicine can lead to some medical emergency.

Symptoms of Overdose Include:

• Extreme drowsiness or unresponsiveness
• Slow or shallow breathing
• Cold, clammy skin
• Blue lips or fingernails
• Coma

Hydrocodone Side Effects

Some of the common side effects of Hydrocodone are:

• Stomach pain
• Dry mouth
• Tiredness
• Headache
• Back pain
• Muscle tightening
• Difficulty in urinating

Some of the serious side effects of Hydrocodone are:

• Chest pain
• Agitation
• Breathing problems (especially in elderly or those with lung disease)
• Confusion or hallucinations
• Seizures
• Allergic reaction (rash, swelling, difficulty breathing)
• Addiction, misuse, or withdrawal symptoms

Note that your doctor has prescribed this drug and he or she has decided that the benefit is greater than the risk of side effects.

There are no significant side effects for many people who take this drug.

Precautions and Warnings of Hydrocodone

Precautions

Before taking Hydrocodone, talk with your doctor if you are allergic to it or any other medications.

The product may contain inactive ingredients that can cause serious allergic reactions or other problems, such as:

• Brain disorders
• Breathing problems
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Mood disorders
• Stomach or intestinal problems
• Difficulty in urinating
• Gallbladder disease.

Warnings for some serious Health Conditions

For people with Head injury

Hydrocodone can cause increased pressure in your brain and cause breathing problems if you have a head injury.

For people with stomach problems

If you have intestinal obstruction, ulcerative colitis, or constipation, use caution when taking this medication. Your symptoms can deteriorate with this medication.

For people with severe Kidney disease

In your body, this medication can build up, which can cause breathing problems and other side effects.

For people with Liver disease

The risk of liver failure is increased if you have serious liver disease. This medication can also build up in your body, which can cause breathing problems and other side effects.

For people with Asthma

Do not use this drug without talking to your doctor if you are suffering from serious or uncontrolled asthma. In a supervised environment, you would have to take the first few doses.

How to take Hydrocodone?

• If this medication is taken on a daily basis and you skip a dose, take it as soon as you recall. If the time for the next dose is close, skip the skipped dose. At your normal time, take your next dose.
• Swallow one at a time with plenty of water on the extended-release capsules or extended-release tablets. As soon as you put it in your mouth, swallow each capsule or tablet.
• The doctor will probably start you on a low dose of hydrocodone and will gradually raise your dose if required to manage the pain, not more than once every 3 to 7 days.
• The body may get used to the drug after taking hydrocodone for a certain period. Your doctor can raise your dosage of hydrocodone if this occurs or may prescribe another drug to manage your pain.

Are There Any Age Restrictions for Using Hydrocodone?

This medication is not recommended for children under 18 years of age, particularly following tonsil or adenoid surgery, due to increased risk of serious side effects. In older adults, its use may require lower doses and careful monitoring to avoid complications, as this population may be more sensitive to its effects.

Alcohol or Food Interactions

It is crucial to avoid consuming alcohol while taking hydrocodone, as the combination can significantly increase the risk of life-threatening respiratory depression. This serious side effect can lead to slowed or stopped breathing, which can be fatal. Additionally, some individuals may experience nausea while taking hydrocodone. To help reduce this side effect, it is recommended to take the medication with food if stomach upset occurs. Always follow your healthcare provider's instructions to ensure safe and effective use of this medication.

Possible Interactions with Other Medications

May Interact With

• Other CNS depressants (benzodiazepines, sleep aids, tranquilizers)
• MAO inhibitors
• Antidepressants and antipsychotics
• Muscle relaxants
• Other opioid pain relievers

These combinations can cause respiratory failure, extreme sedation, or death.

Tell your doctor about all medications, supplements, and herbal products.

How Should Hydrocodone Be Stored?

Recommended Storage:

• Store at room temperature (20-25°C / 68-77°F)
• Keep in a secure, locked location
• Do not share with others
• Keep away from children and pets.

What Happens If Not Stored Properly?

• Risk of theft, misuse, or accidental ingestion
• Loss of potency over time if exposed to heat or moisture

Storage

Direct contact with heat, air and light may damage your medicines. The exposure of medicine may cause some harmful effects. The medicine must be kept in a safe place and out of children's reach. Mainly the drug should be kept at room temperature between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C).

Hydrocodone vs Oxycodone

References