What is Hydrocodone?
Hydrocodone is an opioid painkiller.
Zohydro ER and Hysingla ER are extended-release hydrocodone forms prescribed for the continuous treatment of extreme pain.
Extended-release hydrocodone isn't to be used as needed to treat discomfort.
Cautions
Hydrocodone may slow or stop breathing. Do not take this medication in more significant quantities or longer than prescribed. Don't crush, break or break an extended-release capsule. Take it in whole, avoiding the risk of a fatal dose.
Hydrocodone could be habit-forming even when taken in regular doses. Don't share this medicine with someone you know, particularly someone with a history of substance abuse or addiction. Ensure the medication is kept in a place where others can't access it.
The misuse of opioids could lead to addiction, overdose or even death. Keep the medication in a location where other people cannot access it.
Inform your doctor whether you are expecting. Hydrocodone could cause severe withdrawal symptoms in the baby if the mother took this medication during the course of pregnancy.
The risk of fatal side effects could occur when you mix the opioid medication in combination with alcohol or other substances that can cause drowsiness or slow the rate of breathing.
Prior to Using this Medicine
It is not recommended to use hydrocodone in case you have an allergy to the drug or suffer from the following:
- Serious severe asthma or breathing issues or
- A blockage in your stomach or your intestines.
To ensure that hydrocodone suitable for you, ask your doctor if you previously had:
- Breathing issues, sleep apnea, breathing problems
- A head injury, brain tumour, or seizures;
- Addiction to alcohol or drugs, or mental illness
- Problems with urination;
- Kidney or liver disease;
- Issues with your gallbladder, thyroid, pancreas issues with thyroid, pancreas, or gallbladder
- A heart rhythm disorder called long Q.T. syndrome.
If you are taking opioids while pregnant, your child may develop a dependence on the medication. This can cause severe withdrawal symptoms for the infant after it is born. Babies born dependent on opioids may need medical treatment for several weeks.
Talk to a doctor prior to taking hydrocodone if you're nursing. Tell your doctor if you experience extreme sleepiness or slow breathing for your nursing baby.
How to Take Hydrocodone?
Hydrocodone could be habit-forming even when taken in regular doses. Follow the instructions on the prescription label and go through all medication guidelines. Don't take hydrocodone for more extended amounts or for more than what is prescribed. Talk to your doctor if you strongly urge to take more medication.
Do not share your opioid medication with a person, especially those with an addiction history. The misuse of opioids can lead to addiction or even death. Place the medicine in a location where other people cannot access it. Offering or selling opioids is against the law.
Your dosage requirements might differ if you previously used an opioid pain medication in your system and are intolerant to it. Discuss with your doctor to determine if you're intolerant to opioids.
Don't crush, break or break or open an extended-release tablet. Swallow it whole so that you do not get exposed to a dose that could be fatal. Do not crush or break a hydrocodone capsule to inhale the powder or mix it with a liquid that allows you to inject the drug through the vein. This can cause death.
Don't stop taking this medication after prolonged use, or you may experience severe withdrawal symptoms. Discuss with your doctor the best way to stop safely using hydrocodone.
Keep it at room temperature, away from moisture, heat and light. Make a note of your medication. Knowing that you are misusing the medicine or without the prescription is essential.
Don't store any empty bottles of opioids. One dose could cause death if someone takes the medication incorrectly or incorrectly. Ask your pharmacist for a recycling program for takeback. If a Takeback program is unavailable, dispose of the remaining medicine in the toilet.
Details on Dosage:
Usual Adult Dose for Chronic Pain:
The following dosing recommendations can only be viewed as suggested solutions to an array of clinical decisions made over time. Each patient must be treated individually.
As First Opioid Analgesic and For Patients who are NOT Opioid Tolerant:
Extended-Release Capsules (Zohydro(R) Extended-Release Capsules (Zohydro(R)) The initial dose is 10 mg taken orally every 12 hours
Extended-Release tablets (Hysingla(R) E.R.) Initial dose: 20 mg per day, orally for 24 hours
Comments:
Higher doses for patients who aren't opioid-tolerant can result in fatal respiratory depression. Be sure to watch patients closely for signs of respiratory depression, particularly between 24 and 72 hours.
An opioid-tolerant patient has been receiving a week or 60 mg of oral morphine per day Fentanyl transdermal patch at 25 mg/hour, oral oxycodone at 30 mg/day, oral hydromorphone 8 mg/day, oral hydromorphone at 25 mg/day or an equivalent dose of a different opioid.
What Happens If I Miss a Dose?
Since hydrocodone can be used to relieve pain, you're less likely to be able to miss a dose. Do not miss any amounts if it's almost time to take your next dose. Do not take two doses in one go.
What Happens If I Overdose?
For medical emergencies, seek emergency treatment or contact for help at the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of hydrocodone can be fatal, particularly for a child or another person using the drug without a prescription. Overdose symptoms may include severe drowsiness and numbness of pupils, a slow breathing rate, or not breathing.
A doctor may suggest you take Naloxone (a medication to treat an overdose of opioids) and carry it on hand throughout the day. Someone who cares for you could give the drug naloxone if your breathing stops or you do not wake up. Your caregiver needs to get medical attention in the event of an emergency. They may have to perform CPR (cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) on you while waiting for assistance.
Naloxone can be purchased from pharmacies or your local health department. Everyone who cares for you must understand where you store Naloxone and how to utilize it.
Avoid this
Don't drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or even death may occur.
Avoid driving and other hazardous activities until you know how hydrocodone affects your health. Dizziness or drowsiness could cause accidents, falls or even serious injuries.
Side Effects of Hydrocodone
Stop taking hydrocodone and contact your doctor right away If you are suffering from the following:
Mild Effects:
- Sighing, noisy breathing, shallow breath, and sleeping that ceases;
- A slow heart rate or an irregular pulse
- Burning or pain after you urinate;
- Confusion, tremors, severe drowsiness;
- A feeling of lightheadedness that makes you feel like you're about to pass out.
- Low levels of cortisol, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, worsening tiredness or weakness
- Serotonin levels are high within the body, such as hallucinations, agitation and sweating. Shaking, rapid heart rate and muscle stiffness. Twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea.
Serious breathing issues could be more common for older people and those who suffer from debilitation or wasting syndrome, or chronic breathing problems.
You should seek medical attention now if you are experiencing symptoms of serotonin disorder, like agitation, hallucinations, fever sweating, shivering, rapid heart rate, stiffness in muscles or twitching. Also, you may experience nausea vomiting, as well as vomiting, or diarrhoea.
Opioid medication used for long periods can impact women's or men's fertility (ability to have kids). It is unclear if the effects of opioids on fertility are permanent.
Adverse side effects of hydrocodone be:
Adverse Effects:
- Constipation, nausea, vomiting;
- Dizziness, drowsiness or feeling tired;
- Headache Or
- Symptoms of cold like congestion, sneezing and sore throat.
This isn't an exhaustive list of possible side effects, and other side effects could occur. Consult your physician for advice regarding medical products. You can report any side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with Other Drugs
Breathing issues or withdrawal symptoms may occur if you discontinue or start taking other medicines. Inform your doctor if you are also taking an antibiotic or antifungal medication. Blood pressure or heart medicine, medication for seizures, or to treat HIV and Hepatitis C.
Opioid medications can interact with other drugs and cause serious side effects or even death. Be sure your doctor is aware if you are taking:
- Medications for allergies or colds such as bronchodilator asthma/COPD medicine or a diuretic ("water pill");
- Medicine to treat motion sickness or irritable bowel syndrome, or an overactive bladder.
- Different opioids, opioid pain medicine, well as prescription-based cough medicines
- A sedative similar to Valium (also known as diazepam, alprazolam lorazepam, Xanax, Klonopin, Versed, and others;
- Drugs that can make you feel sleepy or reduce your breathing, such as a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, medication to treat mental or mood disorders, as well as
- Medications that alter serotonin levels within your body as a stimulant or a medicine for Parkinson's disease, depression, migraine headaches, serious illnesses, nausea and vomiting
