What is Hydrocodone?
Hydrocodone is available in the market under the brand name Zohydro ER is an opioid medication. It is beneficial in treating prolonged duration severe pain or any moderate pain if other measures are insufficient. Typically it is sold in combinations with acetaminophen or ibuprofen and is available in a long-acting formulation.
Extended-release forms of this medication are Zohydro ER and Hysingla ER, useful in the around-the-clock treatment of severe pain and helpful as a cough suppressant in adults. Hydrocodone is for oral intake. It passes through the digestive system before feeling its effects on your health. It starts showing its result within an hour.
This drug functions by binding to the mu-opioid receptor. It works in your brain to block pain signals and decreases the ability to feel pain. The combination of Hydrocodone with acetaminophen leads to the formation of Norco.
How to take Hydrocodone?
Use Hydrocodone orally as per your doctor’s prescription. You might take Hydrocodone with or without food. If you have nausea, then you should take it with food. Ask any of your health providers about other ways to decrease nausea (such as lying down for an hour or two with minimum head movement).
Swallow the whole extended-release pill rather than crushing, chewing, or opening it to avoid exposure to a potentially fatal dose. Do not suddenly stop taking Hydrocodone after long-term use, or you may face unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Take the doctor’s help to stop using this medicine safely.
Store Hydrocodone away from heat and moisture at room temperature. Keep track of your medication. Be aware of someone misusing your drug or taking it without a prescription. Dispose of the leftover opioid medication. Just one accidental or improper use of this medicine can cause death.
Hydrocodone dosage
Your hydrocodone dosage will depend upon your age, medical condition, and response to the initial treatment.
Usual adult dosage for chronic pain: as first opioid analgesic and people who are not opioid-tolerant
Initial dose (Zohydro ER)- 10 mg orally within every 12 hours
Initial dose (Hysingla ER)- 20 mg orally within every 24 hours.
Overdose
In case of overdose, take medical help or call the Poison helpline at 1-800-222-1222. A hydrocodone overdose can be deadly, especially in a child or someone taking it without a prescription. Overdose symptoms may include pinpoint pupils, severe drowsiness, slow or no breathing.
Your doctor may recommend you get naloxone with you all the time. Naloxone is a medicine that reverses an opioid overdose, and you can purchase it from any pharmacy or a local health department.
