Hydrocodone is an opioid medication useful for treating severe pain and cough in adults. It is an oral medication generally sold in combination with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Hydrocodone is available in both short-acting or immediate-release and long-acting or extended-release formulations.
Hydrocodone is a derivative of opium poppy before converting it to codeine. It is very similar to morphine in its effects and efficacy.
Hydrocodone is most commonly prescribed in America. The USA consumed 99% of the world’s supply of hydrocodone medication, as of 2010. In 2016, it was the 113th most prescribed medication, with over 6 million prescriptions in America.
Why use Hydrocodone?
Hydrocodone helps relieve severe pain. It is only for the treatment of those people who require around-the-clock pain treatment and for whom other treatment options such as non-opioids or other immediate-release opioids are not adequate.
Do not use hydrocodone extended-release tablets and capsules as an “as needed” medication.
Use hydrocodone for pain relief up to four to six hours. Extended-release hydrocodone pills relieve pain for up to 12 hours.
Hydrocodone is an opioid analgesic that works by activating protein receptors, called opioid receptors, present in the brain, spinal cord, and several other parts of the body. They block pain messages sent from the body to reach the brain. Thus, hydrocodone provides pain-relieving effects.
How to use Hydrocodone ?
Hydrocodone comes both as extended-release tablets and extended-release capsules for oral administration. The extended-release pill is for administrating once every 12 hours, while extended-release tablets are for once in a day administration.
Try to take hydrocodone pills around the same time each day. Follow a doctor’s or pharmacist’s instructions and take hydrocodone precisely as prescribed.
Swallow hydrocodone pills one at a time with plenty of water. Always swallow it as soon as you put it in the mouth. Do not keep the medicine in your mouth as it can cause an overdose. Don’t wet, pre-soak, or lick the pills before putting them into your mouth.
Doctors should probably start a low dosage regime of hydrocodone and gradually increases the doses, titrating every three to seven days, as needed by a patient.
The body may develop tolerance after using hydrocodone at higher doses or for a prolonged period. The doctor may decrease the doses gradually to stop hydrocodone medication and start pain relief treatment with some other medicine.
Never stop taking hydrocodone without a doctor’s consultation. Suddenly stop taking the medication causes withdrawal symptoms such as the runny nose, teary eyes, restlessness, sweating, chills, yawning, widened pupils, muscle pain, stomach cramp, sleep problems, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fast breathing or heartbeat. Gradually taper the doses to prevent withdrawal symptoms.
Precautions before using hydrocodone :
Follow these precautions before using hydrocodone:
- Do not take hydrocodone if you are allergic to it, other opioids, or any inactive ingredients of the medication. For a complete list of inactive ingredients present in the medicine, please refer to the medication guide provided with it.
- Hydrocodone interacts with many other drugs to produce adverse effects or slow down its effectiveness. Consult a doctor about all the prescription and non-prescription medications, including nutritional and vitamin supplements and herbal products. A doctor may change your dosage or monitor you for side effects.
- Do not take hydrocodone if you have a blockage or narrowing of the intestine or stomach or paralytic ileus.
- Hydrocodone may be risky for you if you have or ever had low blood pressure, seizures, difficulty urinating, thyroid, pancreatic or gallbladder disease, liver or kidney disease, difficulty swallowing, heart problems, or colon cancer. Consult your doctor about these conditions.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, hydrocodone can cause withdrawal symptoms in your unborn or newborn child.
- Hydrocodone may reduce fertility in both men and women. Taking it in your fertile years could be harmful. Seek counsel from a doctor about this before taking hydrocodone.
- Before having dental surgery, tell the dentist that you are on hydrocodone medication.
- Avoid taking alcohol, alcoholic beverages, or any other CNS depressants while you are on hydrocodone medication.
- Keep away from driving or any work that needs alertness after taking hydrocodone as the medication makes you drowsy.
- Hydrocodone causes severe dizziness, lightheadedness, or even fainting when you get up from sitting or lying position. To prevent this, try to get up slowly from your chair or bed.
- Hydrocodone may cause constipation. Change your diet or talk to your doctor for mild medications to treat this condition.
The effect after use hydrocodone :
Hydrocodone is an opioid work similarly to other opiates. It produces similar effects and side effects like other medications of the opioid class. The most frequent side effects of hydrocodone are nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, constipation, or drowsiness.
Effects of hydrocodone on different systems of the body include:
- Central Nervous System: mental clouding, drowsiness, lethargy, fear, anxiety, impairment of the physical and mental performance, mood changes, dysphoria, and psychological dependence.
- Gastrointestinal System: constipation
- Genitourinary System: urinary retention, ureteral spasm, and spasm of vesical sphincters.
- Special Senses: hearing problems or permanent loss of hearing due to overdose.
- Dermatological effects: allergic reactions, skin rashes, pruritus, or toxic epidermal necrolysis.
- Hematological Effects: serotonin syndrome, adrenal insufficiency, anaphylaxis, or androgen deficiency.
Dose and overdose effect of hydrocodone :
Patients should take hydrocodone exactly as prescribed by the doctor. Do not take higher doses than directed. Also, do not use hydrocodone for a more extended duration than prescribed .
At prescribed dose, hydrocodone causes the effects of pain relief. It affects the body, brain, and the central nervous system.
The overdose of hydrocodone can be life-threatening. Effects of hydrocodone overdose include slow, shallow, or stopped breathing; narrow or wide pupils; cold, clammy, or bluish skin; severe drowsiness; loss of consciousness; seizures; or even death.
Hydrocodone causes effects of euphoria and relief that also lead to habit-forming, psychological, and physical dependence. It has a high risk of addiction, abuse, and misuse.
How to purchase Hydrocodone Online?
People can buy hydrocodone online through online pharmacies. To lessen the risk of purchasing fake medications, always chose to buy hydrocodone online from websites or pharmacies that are approved by the government. Genuine online pharmacies only sell FDA (Food & Drug Administration) approved drugs and medications.
Is hydrocodone can buy without a prescription ?
You can easily buy hydrocodone online without a prescription. However, do not buy the drug for abusing or misusing it as it can cause fatal side effects. Buy hydrocodone online when you need it for medical purposes. Several websites do not require a prescription to purchase any medication online, either it is an opioid or a non-opioid medicine. So now, all the medicines you need are just a click away from you!