How it works

Analgesic (pain-reliever) hydrocodone may be used to treat moderate to severe pain that does not respond to other, less potent painkillers.

To relieve pain, hydrocodone acts on receptors in the brain and spinal cord. It is a full opioid agonist that has a moderate level of mu-opioid receptor selectivity, though higher doses can also act on other opioid receptors. There is no ceiling effect for analgesia, like all full agonists, but higher dosages increase the risk of adverse effects like respiratory and CNS depression. Hydrocodone may release opioid-like substances that are already present in the body, though the exact mechanism by which it reduces pain is unknown. Hydrocodone is believed to work on the central cough reflex when used to treat coughing.

Hydrocodone is in the class of drugs known as narcotic analgesics. It is also known as an opioid analgesic.