Hydrocodone

Description of Hydrocodone

Hydrocodone  is one of most common pain reliever medicines, prescribed by doctors for moderate to severe pain cases. Hydrocodone and acetaminophen combination is used to relieve pain severe enough to require opioid treatment and when other pain medicines did not work well enough or cannot be tolerated. Hydrocodone  contains an opioid pain reliever (hydrocodone) and a non-opioid pain reliever (acetaminophen). 

The chemical formula of Hydrocodone is C18H21NO3. And the molecular weight is 299.152143543. The chemical structure of Hydrocodone is given below.

Chemical structure of Hydrocodone ( C18H21NO3)

Hydrocodone works in the brain to change how your body feels and responds to pain. Acetaminophen can also reduce a fever. Hydrocodone may be habit-forming even at the regular dosage thus the extended or repeated dosage of the medicine is not recommended because of the potential of physical dependence.

Precaution to intake Hydrocodone

Hydrocodone medicine is the combination of Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen. Before taking a prescription from the doctor, the patient must inform the doctor, in case of allergic to Hydrocodone. Hydrocodone can affect respiration. Thus take the medicine as prescribed by the doctor, and also never share this medicine with a person or children with exact same symptoms. Hydrocodone is an opioid nature medicine, misuse and overdose of the medicine can result in addiction or death of the person. Fatal side effects can occur if the patient uses opioid medicine with alcohol, or with other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow the breathing.

Hydrocodone may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Thus before taking this medicine a patient should inform the doctor in case of following medical history.

• Breathing problems, sleep apnea
• A head injury, brain tumor, or seizures
• Drug or alcohol addiction, or mental illness
• Urination problems
• Liver or kidney disease
• Problems with your gallbladder, pancreas, or thyroid
• A heart rhythm disorder called long QT syndrome.

Hydrocodone is not recommended during the pregnancy, the baby could become physically dependent on this medicine due to the opioid nature of this medicine. Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this medicine, especially confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, and slow/shallow breathing.

Furthermore, hydrocodone may make the patient dizzy or drowsy. Therefore, consuming alcohol, marijuana (cannabis) or opioid products are prohibited as it can make them more sleepy or dizzy after taking Hydrocodone medicine. It is recommended not to do any work which needs full mind attention such as driving, as Hydrocodone medicine can overcome the alertness of the penitent. 

Shape of the Hydrocodone 10/325 mg pill:

Shape of the Hydrocodone 10/325 mg pill imprint with V on top and 36 01 on bottom of the tablet. The colour of the tablet is Yellow and the shape of the Tablet is Oblong and the generic name of the medicine is Hydrocodone/ Acetaminophen.

Dosage of Hydrocodone

Usual adult dosage of hydrocodone for ages 18 years and older weighing at least 101 pound (46 kg) for moderate to severe pain is 5 mg or 2.5 mg hydrocodone. The typical dosage is 1–2 tablets taken every 4–6 hours as needed. The maximum dosage is 8 tablets per day. For 7.5 mg or 10 mg hydrocodone the typical dosage is 1 tablet taken 4–6 hours as needed. The maximum dosage is 6 tablets per day. However, hydrocodone is not recommended for children below 18 years.

Hydrocodone is used for short- or long-term treatment. Moreover, it should be taken as prescribed by the doctor, otherwise side effects of the medicine can occur due to overdose and misuse.

Side effects of Hydrocodone

Hydrocodone is a pain reliever from the opioid family. It belongs to the drug classes antitussives, narcotic analgesics. Risk during the pregnancy is high as usual. Hydrocodone 15 mg is classified as a Schedule 2 controlled substance under the Controlled Substance Act (CSA).

An overdose occurs when someone takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medicine. This can be by accident or on purpose. Hydrocodone can be harmful in large amounts.

The side effects of Hydrocodone can occur due to the misuse or overdose of the medicine. 

The symptoms of side effects given below,

• Difficulty having a bowel movement
• Blue lips and fingernails
• Blurred vision
• Change in consciousness
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Cold and clammy skin
• Constricted pupil (black part of the eye)
• Coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum
• Decreased awareness or responsiveness

Patients should immediately contact any medical professional in case of appearing these symptoms in their body after taking Hydrocodone.

Summary

Hydrocodone medicine is the combination of Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen. Hydrocodone is a pain reliever from the opioid family. It belongs to the drug classes antitussives, narcotic analgesics. Risk during the pregnancy is high as usual. Hydrocodone 15 mg is classified as a Schedule 2 controlled substance under the Controlled Substance Act (CSA).

Hydrocodone may make the patient dizzy or drowsy. Therefore, consuming alcohol, marijuana (cannabis) or opioid products are prohibited as it can make them more sleepy or dizzy after taking Hydrocodone medicine. It is recommended not to do any work which needs full mind attention such as driving, as Hydrocodone medicine can overcome the alertness of the penitent.