Hydrocodone Half-Life
Hydrocodone is an opioid medicine commonly used to treat pain and as a cough
suppressant. One must take Hydrocodone by mouth. Typically it is dispensed as
the combinations ibuprofen/hydrocodone or acetaminophen/hydrocodone for severe pain to require an opioid and in combination with homatropine methylbromide to
relieve cough. Hydrocodone is also available by itself in a long-acting form to
treat severe pain of prolonged duration. Hydrocodone is a controlled drug, a
Schedule II Controlled Substance in the US.
Available forms of
Hydrocodone
Hydrocodone is available in various formulations for oral administration:
- Extended-release ER hydrocodone in a time-release syrup
also containing chlorpheniramine/ chlorphenamine is a cough medication
called Tussionex in the USA.
- Immediate-release Hydrocodone with paracetamol (or
acetaminophen) (Lortab, Lorcet, Maxidone, Vicodin, Norco, Zydone)
- Immediate-release Hydrocodone with ibuprofen (Ibudone,
Reprexain, Vicoprofen)
- Immediate-release hydrocodone with aspirin (Lortab ASA,
Panasal 5/500, Alor 5/500, Azdone, Damason-P)
- Controlled-release hydrocodone ( Zohydro ER, Hysingla
ER by Purdue Pharma)
Hydrocodone isn't available in parenteral or any other non-oral forms.
Side effects of
using Hydrocodone
Common side effects of Hydrocodone include dizziness, nausea, sleepiness,
and constipation. Severe side effects may include abuse, respiratory
depression, low blood pressure, seizures, QT prolongation, and serotonin
syndrome. Rapidly decreasing the dose can result in opioid withdrawal.