What will hydrocodone do to me

Individuals with hydrocodone use disorders are at high risk of damaging opioid receptors in the brain, which affect how the brain manages responses to pain. Numerous studies have reported that individuals who have a history of long-term opioid use are much more likely to experience intense pain. After years of Opioid abuse, many people have a heightened sensitivity to pain. This results in needing longer periods of time to recover from an injury or surgery and experiencing intense cravings to use hydrocodone to relieve pain.

Significant abuse of hydrocodone can alter how chemicals are released and absorbed in the brain, especially mood-regulating neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. Taking high doses of hydrocodone for long periods of time can cause large doses of feel-good neurotransmitters to flood the brain. Over time, this will change the structures associated with emotional control, rational thinking, memory, and learning. Long-term oxygen deprivation will also result in damage to brain structures.

Some damage is reversable but may take years to adjust. Some symptoms, however, may not be completely reversible. There is also risk of irreversible brain damage due to lack of blood flow after an overdose from hydrocodone due to respiratory failure.

Strokes, for instance, fall in this category. The loss of blood flow that occurs during a hydrocodone overdose may necessitate the amputation of one or more limbs. Variants of hydrocodone containing acetaminophen also pose a high-risk of liver damage or failure. Studies show that consuming more than 4, mg of acetaminophen in one day can cause acute or chronic liver injury — including cirrhosis and possibly liver failure.

For this reason, the Food and Drug Administration FDA reduced the acceptable level of acetaminophen to no more than mg in hydrocodone-based medications. Prior to these new regulations, Hydrocodone once contained more than double that amount. Regular use of hydrocodone may result in a physical dependence and addiction.

Opioid dependence and addition produce painful withdrawal symptoms when a person tries to stop taking the drug or reducing the amount they use. Addiction is a chronic, neurobiological disease that is characterized by behaviors such as inability to control drug use, continuing use despite negative consequences, and persistent cravings. For instance, while hydrocodone abuse produces effects of euphoria, withdrawal induces depression. Likewise, misusing any Opioid can cause excessive fatigue, while withdrawal causes insomnia.

Some withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening such as vomiting and diarrhea if not monitored by a medical professional. As such, detox and rehab at a qualified addiction treatment facility is vital. Alongside addiction treatment and therapy, it is important for a recovering hydrocodone addict to find support through local groups, therapists or counselors, and family and friends.

Rehab programs can help people focus on recovery and establish new ways to handle pain and stress without using hydrocodone.

Other benefits of rehab include:. If you or someone you care about is struggling, contact a treatment provider to discuss treatment options. After working as a freelance script and blog writer, she began writing content for tech startups. Maintaining a passion for words, she took on a variety of projects where her writing could help people especially those battling mental health and substance use disorders.

All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional. David embarked on his journey into sobriety in June of , which led him to his current career path as a Certified Professional Addiction Recovery Coach in private practice in Greater Nashville.

David is also a public speaker and the author of two books. David is cohost of the weekly Positive Sobriety Podcast, as well as being a frequent contributor to various articles and recovery based materials. As a member of the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors NAADAC , David works closely with Nashville area treatment centers, nonprofit recovery organizations, and consulting with faith-based groups trying to bridge the gap between the recovery communities and faith-based organizations who wish to understand addiction.

Lancaster, SC. Asheville, NC. Wilmington, NC. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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What is hydrocodone? Hydrocodone is an opioid pain medication. Hydrocodone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide. What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking hydrocodone? You should not use hydrocodone if you are allergic to it, or if you have:. How should I take hydrocodone? What happens if I miss a dose? What happens if I overdose? What should I avoid while taking hydrocodone? Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death could occur.

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of hydrocodone and acetaminophen combination in the elderly.

However, elderly patients are more likely to have confusion and drowsiness, and age-related lung, liver, kidney, or heart problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving hydrocodone and acetaminophen combination.

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding. Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary.

When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you.

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Using this medicine with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases.

If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco. Using this medicine with any of the following may cause an increased risk of certain side effects but may be unavoidable in some cases. The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:.

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. This is especially important for elderly patients, who may be more sensitive to the effects of pain medicines. If too much of this medicine is taken for a long time, it may become habit-forming causing mental or physical dependence or cause an overdose.

Large amounts of acetaminophen may cause liver damage. It is very important that you understand the rules of the Opioid Analgesic REMS program to prevent addiction, abuse, and misuse of hydrocodone and acetaminophen combination.

This medicine should also come with a Medication Guide and patient information leaflet. Read and follow these instructions carefully.

Read it again each time you refill your prescription in case there is new information. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Measure the oral liquid with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, dropper, or medicine cup. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid. Carefully check the labels of all other medicines you are using, because they may also contain acetaminophen.

It is not safe to use more than 4 grams 4, milligrams of acetaminophen in one day 24 hours. The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine.

If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Do not double doses. Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing. Hydrocodone can cause serious unwanted effects or fatal overdose if taken by children, pets, or adults who are not used to strong narcotic pain medicines. Make sure you store the medicine in a safe and secure place to prevent others from getting it.