Sometimes the pain we experience is so severe that ordinary painkillers cannot control it. Only those who suffer from it know how difficult it is to live with chronic pain, especially for a long time. Have you ever had such severe pain that your doctor prescribed you this powerful painkiller called Hydrocodone? If so, this article will be very important for you. Let's talk about this simply and clearly.
What is this Hydrocodone?
Simply put, Hydrocodone is a very strong painkiller. It belongs to a class of drugs called opioids . Doctors usually prescribe this medication for severe, long-lasting (chronic) pain that cannot be controlled with other painkillers.
What's special about this is that it's an extended-release pill. That means that when you take one pill, it releases the medicine into your body over a period of hours, controlling the pain. For this reason, this medicine is not suitable for sudden pain. Its main function is to block pain signals to the brain and reduce the pain we feel.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Okay, this is a very important part. It is essential that your doctor knows your complete health history before starting such a powerful medication. This is because using this medication with certain medical conditions can be risky. So if you have any of the following conditions, be sure to tell your doctor.
- If you have a head injury or brain tumor
- If you have a drug or alcohol addiction or drink alcohol frequently
- If you have heart disease, kidney disease, or liver disease
- If you have breathing difficulties or lung diseases like asthma
- If you have seizures or a mental illness
- If you have intestinal problems (e.g. constipation, intestinal obstruction)
- If the thyroid gland or adrenal gland is underactive
- If you have difficulty urinating
- If you have taken an MAOI (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor) medication (e.g. Marplan, Nardil) within the past 14 days. These are a type of medication used to treat certain mental illnesses.
- If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding
- If you have allergies to hydrocodone or any other medicine, food, or dye.
How to use the medicine correctly?
To get the most out of your medication and avoid unnecessary risks, it is very important to use it correctly.
Very important: This is an extended-release tablet, meaning it works for a long time. Therefore , never break, crush, or chew the tablet. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. If you don't, the entire amount of medicine that should be released over several hours can enter the body at once, causing a serious overdose.
- Take the dose prescribed by the doctor at the right time.
- Do not stop taking the medication on your own. Stopping without your doctor's advice can cause severe withdrawal symptoms. If you do stop, do so under the supervision of your doctor, gradually reducing the dose.
- If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at the same time.
- If you suspect an overdose: If you think you have taken too much medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital, or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
- This medicine is for you only. Do not give it to anyone else. It could be dangerous if you try to give it to someone else just because it feels good to you.
Other things that may interact with this medicine (Interactions)
Hydrocodone can interact with many other medications, including alcohol. It is important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins and herbal remedies). The table below lists some of the most common interactions.
| Things that can collide | Description and risk |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | If taken with alcohol, drowsiness and dizziness can be severe. Breathing can even be dangerously impaired. Therefore, stop drinking alcohol completely while taking this medicine. |
| Other medications that cause drowsiness | Taking it with things like anxiety medications, sleeping pills, other strong painkillers, and some allergy medications (antihistamines) can cause excessive drowsiness and breathing difficulties. |
| Medication for mental illness | Some antidepressants (e.g. fluoxetine, sertraline) can interact with MAOI medications. |
| Some antibiotics and antifungals | Medications such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, and ketoconazole can change the amount of hydrocodone in the body. |
| Medicines for epilepsy | Medications such as carbamazepine and phenytoin can affect the effectiveness of hydrocodone. |
This list is not complete, so be sure to tell your doctor about everything you take.
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
Tolerance and addiction are two different things.
When you take this medicine for a long time, you may feel that the dose that worked before is no longer enough. This is called tolerance . It is normal. It does not mean that you are addicted to the medicine.
Addiction is the use of drugs for pleasure without a medical reason. You are taking the drug because you are in pain, and you are taking it on medical advice. So it is not an addiction. However, the body becomes accustomed to the drug (dependence) . That is why it is said not to stop suddenly.
Be aware of overdose and Naloxone
Symptoms of an overdose include very slow breathing, extreme sleepiness, inability to wake up, and blue skin. Naloxone is a life-saving drug given in the event of an opioid overdose. Ask your doctor about this. It is also important to inform your family about this.
Drowsiness and constipation
This medicine may cause drowsiness and dizziness. Therefore , do not drive or operate machinery. Also, a very common side effect of this medicine is constipation. If you do not have a bowel movement for 3 days, tell your doctor. Drinking plenty of water and eating foods high in fiber (fruits and vegetables) will help with this.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medication, Hydrocodone can cause side effects. Some of them can be serious, while others are common.
| Type of side effect | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Serious 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) | Breathing is very slow or shallow, excessive sleepiness, inability to wake up, confusion. |
| Low blood pressure | Dizziness, blurred vision, fainting. |
| Decreased adrenal function | Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, unusual tiredness, dizziness. |
| Side effects that usually go away, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Common side effects | Constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, nausea, vomiting. |
Take-Home Message
- Hydrocodone is a strong opioid painkiller used for severe, chronic pain. Do not use it for emergency pain.
- Swallow the tablet whole with water without breaking, crushing, or chewing.
- It is essential to inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking and any medical conditions you have.
- Avoid drinking alcohol completely while taking this medicine.
- If you experience severe side effects such as excessive drowsiness or difficulty breathing, seek medical advice immediately or go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU).
- Do not stop taking the medication suddenly without your doctor's advice.
- Keep this medicine in a safe place out of the reach of children and pets.
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