Downsides
If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, do not take any other medications, and have no other medical conditions, you are more likely to experience the following side effects:
- Dizziness or drowsiness that could make it difficult for a person to react quickly or drive or operate machinery. Stay away from alcohol.
- Constipation, nausea, and vomiting (although may be less likely than morphine to cause these effects).
- Before beginning extended-release hydrocodone tablets or capsules, all other 24/7 opiates should be stopped.
- According to the CDC, primary care physicians should weigh the risks and benefits of prescribing hydrocodone dosages greater than 50 mg/day and avoid dosages greater than 90 mg/day. Other experts advise consulting a pain management specialist before increasing the dosage. Increased dosages necessitate more frequent monitoring.
- Within 1 to 4 weeks of starting therapy or increasing the dosage, assess the benefits and risks.
- Drugs that are known to cause addiction and dependence may be abused or sought after by drug addicts. People with psychiatric disorders are at a higher risk. Evaluate patients thoroughly and identify risk factors for misuse, abuse, and addiction. Drug seekers may seek legitimate supplies of hydrocodone-containing products. One of the most commonly abused opioids in the United States is hydrocodone. Written treatment agreement plans (such as contracts), urine drug testing, and other risk assessment and monitoring tools are examples of risk management strategies.
- If the patient exhibits severe or persistent drug abuse or other abnormal drug-related behaviors, taper off and end hydrocodone treatment.
- Anyone who has developed a physical dependence on a hydrocodone-containing medication runs the risk of developing withdrawal syndrome, which includes symptoms like agitation, sweating, muscle aches, insomnia, irritability, and gastrointestinal complaints. Mothers who are physically reliant on hydrocodone will also have physically reliant offspring.
- Serious, life-threatening breathing problems may occur on rare occasions. Higher hydrocodone dosages, people with pre-existing respiratory disease, seniors or the frail, or those taking other medications that cause respiratory depression all increase the risk (such as benzodiazepines).
- In patients with renal impairment, start with a lower dose.
- Serotonin syndrome can also be caused by a drug interaction or overdosage. Mental status changes such as agitation, hallucinations, coma, or delirium; a rapid heart rate; dizziness; flushing; muscle tremor or rigidity; and stomach symptoms (including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea) are all symptoms.
- Children are particularly vulnerable to hydrocodone's side effects. A single dose is fatal. Give patients instructions on how to keep all of their medications out of the reach of children and pets.
- People who have recently used monoamine oxidase inhibitors, pre-existing respiratory depression, respiratory disease, seizure disorders, head injuries, or gastrointestinal obstruction may not be a good fit for this medication.
- Prolonged opiate use during pregnancy can cause neonatal withdrawal syndrome, which can be life-threatening. Has a low risk of causing birth defects such as heart defects, spina bifida, and gastroschisis. Use in late pregnancy can result in respiratory depression in the newborn. Opiate concentrations in breast milk have been reported to be low, and either nursing or the drug should be stopped.
