hydrocodone

Brand names: Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Acetaminophen

# Hydrocodone: What You Need to Know Hydrocodone is an opioid pain medication that doctors prescribe to help relieve moderate to moderately severe pain. It works by changing the way your brain and body respond to pain signals. Hydrocodone is often combined with acetaminophen (like Tylenol) in one tablet to make it work better. This medication should only be used when other pain treatments don't work well enough, and you should take it exactly as your doctor tells you to. It's very important to know that hydrocodone can be addictive and can cause serious side effects if not used carefully. Never take more of this medicine than prescribed, and never share it with other people—even if they have similar pain. Be especially careful if you're also taking other medications, because some drugs can make hydrocodone stay in your body longer and become dangerous. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take. Hydrocodone can cause drowsiness and dizziness, so don't drive or operate machinery after taking it. Always store this medication in a safe place away from children and pets, and never stop taking it suddenly without talking to your doctor first.

Known Interactions

Drug Interactions Inhibitors of CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 The concomitant use of hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen tablets and CYP3A4 inhibitors, such as macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin), azole-antifungal agents (e.g., ketoconazole), and protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir), can increase the plasma concentration of the hydrocodone from hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen tablets, resulting in increased or prolonged opioid effects. These effects could be more pronounced with concomitant use of hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen tablets and both CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 inhibitors, particularly when an inhibitor is added after a stable dose of hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen tablets is achieved [see WARNINGS ]. After stopping a CYP3A4 inhibitor, as the effects of the inhibitor decline, the hydrocodone plasma concentration will decrease [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ], resulting in decreased opioid efficacy or a withdrawal syndrome in patients who had developed physica

Source: FDA-approved drug labeling via openFDA

Most Reported Side Effects (FAERS)

  • DRUG DEPENDENCE39,908 reports
  • OVERDOSE23,094 reports
  • PAIN17,092 reports
  • EMOTIONAL DISTRESS15,288 reports
  • DEATH15,205 reports
  • TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS10,479 reports
  • DRUG WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME9,367 reports
  • ANXIETY4,772 reports
  • DRUG ABUSE3,807 reports
  • DEPRESSION3,345 reports

Source: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Voluntary reports do not establish causation.

Check interactions with hydrocodone:

SafeCheck provides drug interaction information from FDA-approved product labeling (openFDA). This is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making medication decisions.