Hydrocodone Side Effects

Hydrocodone is an opiate agonist and phenathrene derivative.  It provides relief in pain. It relieves moderate pains and also those pains that are moderately severe. If Hydrocodone is combined with acetaminophen or NSAIAS; it may increase it’s analgesic effects because of their different line of action. However, it relieves the pains that are both moderate and moderately severe. Hydrocodone also helps in cough that we call nonproductive cough. The drug works for cough in combination with other antitussives or expectorants. However, like every other drug, hydrocodone also has some side effects and contraindications for which we have to do some Hydrocodone precautions.

The dosages of Hydrocodone should only be taken in the recommended dosages prescribed by your doctor. For any move regarding Hydrocodone, one must talk to the doctor and then one must follow his instructions. If hydrocodone would be taken unduly and without consulting your doctor, it would lead to health hazard results. One may find best guidance regarding the drug from the doctor. Some people also search regarding the dosages and the combination of the drug on internet; which is not the right way to use the drug. One must consult the doctor instead of finding other ways to gain knowledge regarding the drug.

A few things should always be kept in mind before starting intake of this drug. If a patient is known for his hypersensitivity towards this drug as a whole or to any of it’s ingredient used in it’s making, then he must not use this drug. Known hypersensitivity to hydrocodone implies that one must take care of his well-being regarding intake of the drug. Also, if the patient is hypersensitive to other opiates, then he must not take this drug because there is possible cross-sensitivity for the drug. Moreover, hydrocodone is not recommended for the children younger to six years of age and that is hydrocodone in the form of extended release oral suspension containing hydrocodone politirex and chloropheniramine. These contraindications must also be kept in mind by the doctor before prescribing this drug. In case, if the patient is well aware of these facts, then he must tell his doctor himself regarding the mentioned hypersensitivities. But usually, the patients are not well aware of such technicalities; in such case the doctor should remain cautious about these contraindications before he prescribes Hydrocodone in any form to the patient. For this drug’s prescription, cautiousness is required and that can be facilitated only by a doctor.

There are also some other precautions for Hydrocodone and let’s discuss them in detail:

1. Hydrocodone causes respiratory depression; that is called dose-related respiratory depression. Hydrocodone increases the viscosity of bronchial secretions and suppression of cough reflex. It leads to the respiratory problem. This is particular for the patients who suffer with asthma or pulmonary emphysema who are in the habit of using antitussives. In the children who had been having intake of extended release oral suspension containing hydrocodone politirex and chloropheniramine have shown the symptoms of overdose and toxicity. Sometimes, it results in fatal respiratory depression.
2. There is another precaution or one may call a warning related to Hydrocodone and that is central nervous system depression or CNS depression. All those activities that need an alert mind and also physical co-ordination may get impaired and affected with the use of Hydrocodone.
3. Sometimes, prolonged use of Hydrocodone or use of this drug in large quantity may lead the patient to a point where he becomes psychologically dependent upon the drug. Sometimes, it results in both psychological and physical dependence on the drug. Moreover, the body develops immunity against the drug and the drug does not work any more for the patient.
4. Allergic reactions may also take place because of those formulations of Hydrocodone that contain sulfites in them.
5. Allergic reactions may also take place with those formulations that contain dye tartrazine.
6. Head trauma may also result if respiratory depressant effect increases and CSF pressure also gets elevated.
7. In some cases, acute abdominal conditions also result.

8.Obstructive bowel disease is another condition that may result in the patients with underlying intestinal motility disorder.

However, Hydrocodone is an effective drug with the quality of relieving the pain. But there are the above mentioned precautions related to it which should not be ignored. For handling this drug well, one must need to see the doctor and take his advice.