Review your pain diary from time to time to see how you’re progressing. If your doctor prescribes hydrocodone for you, you can take steps to avoid serious complications from hydrocodone addiction. First, though, you must understand why and how hydrocodone becomes addictive and the signs and symptoms of hydrocodone addiction. Long-term use of hydrocodone during pregnancy can result in neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome in newborns following birth. Newborns may experience symptoms such as long periods of crying, trouble sleeping, and irritability.
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This condition occurs with the prolonged use of an opioid while pregnant and is very dangerous. If a woman is pregnant and considering taking Vicodin for pain, she should speak with her doctor about the possible risks involved. A person who becomes addicted to Vicodin may show signs of addiction.
However, the high potency (due to its combination with hydrocodone) and euphoric effects of Vicodin make it prone to addiction. Doctors usually prescribe it to manage moderate to severe pain for those suffering from spinal cord pain, fractures that cause acute physical pain, post-surgical pain, etc. The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine.
Hydrocodone (Hysingla ER, Zohydro ER) – Uses, Side Effects, and More
These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects persist, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Vicodin should never be taken with alcohol because they both suppress the functions of the central nervous system. Taking them together can amplify that effect, essentially shutting down the brain.
- An OUD is categorized as mild if two to three of the above-mentioned criteria are met.
- As one of the most frequently prescribed opiate medications, hydrocodone…
- Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body’s response to a hydrocodone combination product.
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Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below.
Read it again each time you refill your prescription in case there is new information. Talk with your doctor about any history of substance misuse or dependence you may have hydrocodone addiction: symptoms and signs of abuse experienced in the past. Your doctor can discuss the best treatment options for you and help you weigh the risks and benefits of hydrocodone use. Your doctor may choose to prescribe a non-opioid pain reliever and cough suppressant instead. Hydrocodone may cause a rare, dangerous heart rhythm problem called QT prolongation. Tell your health care provider right away if you faint or have changes in your heart rate or rhythm, such as a fast or skipping heartbeat.
- Outpatient hydrocodone rehab is less structured and doesn’t require participants to live in a treatment facility.
- When the body is unable to process all of the opioids in its system, breathing and heart rates can plummet.
- In the United States, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classifies drugs based on their medical uses and addiction potential.
- Hydrocodone is the most frequently prescribed opioid in the United States, while the similar drug oxycodone (e.g., OxyContin) is the most abused opioid in the US per capita.
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Do not drink alcohol or use prescription or over-the-counter medicines that contain alcohol. The combination of alcohol and hydrocodone can increase your risk of serious side effects, including death. Before taking hydrocodone, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. Some people taking hydrocodone may develop severe constipation or a blockage of the gut (bowel obstruction). Stop taking hydrocodone and call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a blockage in your intestines. Ready to take the first step toward hydrocodone addiction treatment and rehab?
What are the most common side effects of hydrocodone?
If your child is currently prescribed a cough and cold medicine containing hydrocodone, talk to your child’s doctor about other treatments. This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that can make you drowsy or less alert). Also, there may be a greater risk of liver damage if you drink three or more alcoholic beverages while you are taking acetaminophen. Do not drink alcoholic beverages, and check with your doctor before taking any of these medicines while you are using this medicine. Talk to your health care provider about a medicine called naloxone. Naloxone is a medicine that can be used as an emergency treatment for an opioid overdose, including accidental overdoses.
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It can affect relationships, employment, your health, and other parts of your life. The best way to prevent hydrocodone addiction is to take the drug exactly as your doctor prescribes. It’s also important to record your pain in a diary while you take it.
If four to five criteria are met, the OUD is categorized as moderate, and if six or more are met, a severe OUD diagnosis is deemed appropriate. The more you know about hydrocodone, the better your chances are of avoiding addiction. Organizations such as Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous may help you avoid relapse with hydrocodone or another drug. If you realize your pain is decreasing, let your doctor know, even if your prescription hasn’t run out.
Between May 2022 and April 2023, Florida witnessed over 5,500 opioid overdoses. This number includes nearly 900 overdoses related to natural and semi-synthetic opioids like hydrocodone. Hydrocodone, like other prescription opioids, can be abused and lead to addiction. While we don’t have exact numbers for hydrocodone abuse, we do know that up to one in four people misuse their prescription opioids.
Hydrocodone abuse is a severe threat to the health and well-being of our nation, and the best way to combat this threat is through addiction treatment. Hydrocodone is a semi-synthetic opioid drug that is used as a short-term prescription painkiller. Although effective when used after surgery or injury, its use can become problematic if used long-term as it carries a high risk of dependence and addiction.