Do you also have unbearable, long-lasting pain? Perhaps your doctor prescribed this medicine for you because other painkillers did not help. Since this is a very powerful painkiller, it is very important to be aware of it and use it safely. So let's talk about this today.
What is Hydrocodone (Extended-Release)?
Simply put, Hydrocodone is a medication used to treat severe, chronic pain. Doctors usually prescribe it if you can't tolerate other painkillers or if they don't work. It belongs to a class of drugs called opioids. It works by blocking pain signals from reaching the brain.
What's special about this is that it's an extended-release capsule. This means that the medicine is slowly released into the body, controlling the pain for several hours. Therefore , this medicine is never used for sudden, immediate pain.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting this medication
Before starting this medication, it is essential to give your doctor a complete description of your health condition. Especially if you have any of the conditions listed below, be sure to tell them about it.
| Your health condition | Why should you inform? |
|---|---|
| Alcohol or drug addiction | Because this medicine also has a high risk of addiction. |
| Lung disease, asthma, or breathing difficulties | Because there is a risk of breathing impairment from the medication. |
| Headaches, brain tumors | Because the pressure inside the skull increases, the condition can be dangerous. |
| Kidney or heart disease | Because drugs are eliminated from the body through these organs, their function is important. |
| Adrenal gland or thyroid problems | Medication can affect these hormonal systems. |
| Mental illness, seizures | These conditions may worsen or cause problems with the medication. |
| If you have taken MAOI medications (e.g. Marplan, Nardil) in the past 14 days | Taking these two medications together can cause very serious, life-threatening reactions. |
| If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding | Since the medicine may affect the baby, you should talk to your doctor about it. |
How exactly do you use this medicine?
The way you use this medicine is very important. Take it exactly as your doctor tells you, at the right time, in the right dosage.
- Fill a glass of water and swallow the medicine with it.
- Take the medicine exactly as the doctor tells you, at the prescribed interval of hours.
- Don't increase the dosage whenever you feel like it.
Very important: Never break, crush, or chew this capsule. The capsule should be swallowed whole. If you break the capsule, the entire dose of medicine that is supposed to be released slowly over several hours will enter the body at once, which could result in a fatal overdose.
What if there is an overdose?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, or if someone else has taken it, go to a hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital .
Remember, this medicine has been prescribed for you only. Due to its potential dangers , never share this medicine with anyone else.
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
Tolerance and Addiction
It is important to understand the difference between these two words. After taking this medicine for a while, your body may become accustomed to it (tolerance) . Then, you may need a slightly higher dose to get the same pain relief as before. This is normal.
Addiction is a different matter. It means seeking a drug for a high or other reason without a medical reason. If you are using it to control pain, it is not an addiction. If you have a problem with this, talk to your doctor openly.
Drowsiness and dizziness
This medicine may make you very drowsy and dizzy . Therefore, until you know exactly how this medicine affects you, avoid doing dangerous tasks such as driving or operating machinery. Be careful when getting up or sitting down quickly, especially if you are an elderly person. Also, avoid drinking alcohol completely while taking this medicine. Combining it with alcohol can cause respiratory arrest and even death.
Constipation
A very common side effect of this medication is stomach upset. Here are some remedies for this:
- Drink plenty of water during the day.
- Eat more foods with fiber, such as legumes, vegetables, and fruits.
- If you are unable to go to the toilet for about 3 days, inform your doctor.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, this can cause side effects. See the table below.
| Side effects that require immediate medical attention | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Central nervous system depression (CNS Depression) | Slow or shallow breathing, difficulty breathing, excessive sleepiness, unconsciousness, difficulty waking up. |
| Low blood pressure | Dizziness, lightheadedness, blurred vision. |
| Decreased adrenal function | Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, unusual weakness. |
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Common side effects | Upset stomach, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, nausea, vomiting. |
How to protect medicine?
Because this is a very powerful medicine, it is your responsibility to protect it.
- Keep it locked away from children and pets, preferably in a cupboard.
- This medicine is prone to abuse, so protect it from theft.
- Dispose of unused or leftover medicine properly. Ask your doctor about the best way to do this.
- Do not use expired medicine.
Take-Home Message
- Hydrocodone is a powerful painkiller that is only used for severe, long-term pain. It is not suitable for emergency pain.
- Do not crush, crush, or chew the medication for any reason. This can lead to an overdose.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, and health conditions you are taking.
- Avoid drinking alcohol completely while taking this medicine. It is very dangerous.
- Keep the medicine in a safe place out of the reach of children and others. Never share it with others.
- If you experience severe side effects such as difficulty breathing or excessive drowsiness, go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
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