Hydrocodone

What Hydrocodone Is and Why Take It

Hydrocodone is a well-known narcotic pain reliever that is often prescribed by doctors to those patients who need to relieve severe and moderate pain. Basically, its side effects, cautions, drug interactions and uses should be reviewed before starting this treatment.

Mechanism of Action, Uses and Available Preparations

Hydrocodone belongs to opioid narcotic pain killers, and this means that it’s quite similar to methadone, morphine and other existing opioids. It works by stimulating brain nerves and receptors that are responsible for increasing the threshold of pain and reduces its perception.

However, unlike many other similar pharmaceutic products that contain additional active components, such as acetaminophen, this medicine contains only Hydrocodone.
Nowadays, you can find it in the form of standard and extended release capsules that are available in different strengths, from 10 mg to 50 mg. This medication is taken by patients to treat pain, if this condition is severe enough to require this treatment.

The starting dose of all adult patients is 10 mg taken every 12 hours by mouth, but it can be increased every 3-7 days according to their response and need to control pain.

Dangerous Drug Interactions

It’s not allowed to combine Hydrocodone with alcoholic beverages and other sedatives because this combination can lead to confusion and increased sedation.

Besides, patients shouldn’t take this medicine together with such drugs as MAO inhibitors if they don’t want to end up with such side effects as hypertension, confusion, hyperactivity, tremor and others.

It’s advisable to make a list of their meds and show it to doctors to be on a safe side.

Other Side Effects That May Develop

The intake of Hydrocodone is associated with such unwanted symptoms as:

• Vomiting and nausea;
• Sedation;
• Dizziness and lightheadedness;
• Constipation and drowsiness;
• Difficulty urinating.

Moreover, some patients may end up with impaired thinking and physical abilities necessary to drive and operate machinery safely.

This medicine is also responsible for depressing breathing, so older and debilitated patients should take it with enough caution.

Another important detail is that Hydrocodone is a habit-forming medication, so it may result in physical and mental dependence when taken for a long time.

Basic Precautions and Cautions

Doctors need to know everything about the overall health condition of their patients who want to start taking Hydrocodone, especially if they have allergic reactions, brain disorders, breathing complications, liver and kidney problems, mood and mental changes, drug or alcohol abuse, intestinal or stomach issues, pancreatitis, difficulty urinating, etc.

This treatment may make people drowsy and dizzy, and they also need to limit alcohol when undergoing it. Older patients are more sensitive to Hydrocodone side effects, especially when it comes to dizziness, confusion and drowsiness.