Hydrocodone Acetaminophen for Pain: Warnings, Side Effects & Dosage

Additionally, it can lead to physiological dependence, where the body adapts to the drug’s presence and withdrawal symptoms occur if usage is abruptly stopped. Yes, you can overdose on Vicodin because it contains hydrocodone, an opioid that depresses the central nervous system. An overdose occurs when too much Vicodin is taken, leading to respiratory failure, unconsciousness, or death. The main reason for overdose is taking higher doses than prescribed or combining it with other depressants like alcohol.

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Elderly patients (aged 65 years or older) may have increased sensitivity to hydrocodone bitartrate andacetaminophen tablets. The administration of hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen tablets or other opioids may obscurethe diagnosis or clinical course in patients with acute abdominal conditions. Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression has been reported with the use of opioids,even when used as recommended. Respiratory depression, if not immediately recognized and treated,may lead to respiratory arrest and death. Management of respiratory depression may include closeobservation, supportive measures, and use of opioid antagonists, depending on the patient’s clinicalstatus see OVERDOSE.

• Procedures to limit the continuing absorption of the drug must be readily performed since the hepatic injury is dose dependent and occurs early in the course of intoxication.
• Once individuals begin to abuse their prescriptions, it can quickly turn into an addiction.
• Acetaminophen is in many nonprescription and prescription medications (such as pain/fever drugs or cough-and-cold products).
• Assess each patient’s risk before prescribing, and monitor for development of these behaviors and conditions.

It’s crucial to use this medication carefully and under strict medical supervision. If you or a loved one are struggling with hydrocodone addiction, seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Hydrocodone carries a high risk of life-threatening drug interactions. Combining it with alcohol or benzodiazepines can lead to severe consequences, including excessive sedation, coma, and death. Stopping the use of hydrocodone, even at a low dose or after long-term use, can trigger a range of unpleasant symptoms.

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They can work with you to avoid developing a hydrocodone addiction. 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 Sobriety you take it. Review your pain diary from time to time to see how you’re progressing. Hydrocodone is an opioid in a class of drugs known as narcotic analgesics. These drugs connect to proteins in the brain and spinal cord called opioid receptors.

Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression In Patients With Chronic Pulmonary Disease Or In

It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers. Long-term Vicodin use can result in tolerance and can even lead to physiological dependence. This risk is notably higher in older adults who may be taking multiple medications. Vicodin is a schedule II controlled substance, meaning that while it has medical uses, it also has a high abuse potential.

How Vicodin Works (and Why it’s Effective)

The substance can produce feelings of lightheadedness and euphoria, which have resulted in the widespread misuse of hydrocodone nationwide. As well as treating addiction to Vicodin, The Recovery Village also offers individualized treatment plans to help people manage opioid addiction addictions. However, people not using Vicodin to lessen pain tend to use the drug recreationally to obtain a euphoric high. With these recreational users, since there is no medical need to take the drug, the tolerance level is aimed toward achieving a certain level of euphoria. The pill form sometimes has a perforated line down the back of the pill to make it easier to split in half if a full dosage is not needed and usually has an imprint to help identify the drug and dose. The severity and side effects a person experiences may vary widely from person to person, depending on biology, history of drug exposure, dose taken, and other factors.

Contact the Illinois Recovery Center today to find out more about how you can get help starting today. Vicodin use will gradually cause your body to stop producing chemicals such as dopamine, and you will become increasingly dependent on the drug to do it for you. In other words, you may need to continue to take it just to feel “normal.” As a result, if you stop using it abruptly, you may experience both physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. Vicodin combines two types of pain relievers, acetaminophen and hydrocodone, to produce a drug that can help relieve pain that is moderate to severe. You might be prescribed Vicodin after surgery, after an injury, or for chronic pain that has not been alleviated using other approaches or drugs. Rehabilitation programs can be inpatient or outpatient and usually last longer than the initial detox period.

If you wait until the pain has worsened, the medication may not work as well. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about other ways to decrease nausea (such as lying down for 1 to 2 hours with as little head movement as possible). Keep this medicine in a safe place to prevent theft, misuse, or abuse. If someone accidentally swallows this drug, get medical help right away.

Misuse of Vicodin results in severe health consequences, including overdose and withdrawal symptoms when stopped suddenly. The side effects of Vicodin addiction include a variety of common and severe issues ranging from drowsiness to respiratory depression. According to the CDC’s article titled “Basics About Prescription Opioids,” common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Serious risks include respiratory depression, liver damage due to the acetaminophen component, and increased risk of addiction and dependence. Long-term use exacerbates these risks, leading to chronic health issues and significant cognitive impairment.