Hydrocodone is a generic opiate analgesic cough suppressant pain killer. It is often formulated with another pain killer called Acetaminophen. Brand names in this formulation include Allay, Amacodone, Anexsia, Anolor Dh 5, Bancap-HC, Co-Gesic, Dolacet, Dolagesic, Dolphen, Duocet, Gesic 5, Hy-5, Hy-Phen, Hyco-Pap, Hycomed, Hycotab, Hydrocet, Hydrocodone W/Acetaminophen, Hydrogesic, Lorcet, Lorcet 10/650, Lorcide Panseals, Lortab, Margesic, Medipain 5, Megagesic, Megamor, Norcet, Oncet, Panacet, Polygesic, Propain Hc, Ro-Codone, Rogesic 3, Senefen III, Stagesic, Tycolet, Ultragesic, Vanacet, Vapocet, Vendone, Vicodin, Vicodin ES and Zydone.

Hydrocodone is taken to relieve moderate to severe pain. Acetaminophen is a milder pain reliever that enhances its effects.

Warnings

Because hydrocodone is an opiate it can be habit forming. Because it can lead to both physical and psychological dependence it is a controlled drug in many countries.

Because hydrocodone causes drowsiness and dizziness, you should not drive or operate heavy machinery while taking this this drug.

You should not take hydrocodone and acetaminophen if you have an intolerance of acetaminophen.

Caution should also be exercised if you have liver or kidney problems, hypothyroidism, Addison's disease, prostatic hypertrophy or urethral stricture.

Because hydrocodone acts on the central nervous system (CNS), it's side-effects can mask some of the symptoms of multiple sclerosis and other CNS conditions and cloud a diagnosis.

Other drug interactions

You should not drink alcohol with hydrocodone.

Hydrocodone is not indicated with other narcotic analgesics, anti-psychotics, anti-cholinergics, anti-anxiety agents and central nervous system depressants.

MAO inhibitors and tricyclic anti-depressants may have an additive effect with hydrocodone.

Side Effects

Common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea and vomiting. The side-effects are often more noticeable in ambulatory people and lying down may reduce them.

Hydrocodone can also affect the respiratory centres in the brainstem and cause irregular breathing and respiratory depression.

Other side-effects include constipation, mood-changes, urinary spasms and retention and skin rashes.

Some of these side-effects are also common symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

Hydrocodone links:
Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen - RxList Monographs
Vicodin: Prescription Drug Reference
OnHealth: acetaminophen-hydrocodone

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