Why is this drug recommended?
There are products that combine dihydrocodeinone
(Hydrocodone)
with additional substances, and they are prescribed for various purposes. To
treat moderate to severe pain, several dihydrocodeinone (Hydrocodone)
combination medications are utilised. To treat coughs, other dihydrocodeinone
(Hydrocodone) combination medications are employed. In addition to being an
antitussive, dihydrocodeinone (Hydrocodone) belongs to the group of drugs known
as opiate (narcotic) analgesics. By altering how the brain and nerve system
react to pain, dihydrocodeinone (Hydrocodone) reduces pain. By reducing
activity in the area of the brain that triggers coughing, dihydrocodeinone
(Hydrocodone) reduces coughing.
Although you will combine dihydrocodeinone (Hydrocodone) with at least one
additional drug, this monograph exclusively covers dihydrocodeinone
(Hydrocodone). Make careful to read the contents list for the dihydrocodeinone
(Hydrocodone) product you are using. If you have any inquiries, speak with your
physician or pharmacist.
Dihydrocodeinone (Hydrocodone) Combination Products-Uses-side effects-dosage-interactions and Review
How is this medication to be taken?
Products containing a mixture of dihydrocodeinone (Hydrocodone) are
available as tablets, capsules, syrup, solutions (clear liquids),
extended-release (long-acting) capsules, and extended-release (long-acting)
suspensions (liquids). Typically, every 4 to 6 hours, depending on necessity,
the pill, capsule, syrup, and solution are consumed. It is typical to take the
extended-release capsule or suspension every 12 hours as needed. If you regularly
use dihydrocodeinone (Hydrocodone), try to take it at around the same time each
day. Ask your doctor or chemist to clarify any instructions on your
prescription label that you are unsure about following.
Do not break, chew, or crush the extended-release capsules; instead, swallow
them whole.
Before each usage, thoroughly shake the extended-release suspension to
evenly distribute the medicine. The extended-release suspension should not be
used with other drugs or fluids, such as water.
Do not use a household teaspoon to measure your dose of dihydrocodeinone
(Hydrocodone) combination solution, syrup, or extended-release suspension.
Household teaspoons are not reliable measurement equipment, and you may receive
too much or too little medication if you measure your dose with one. Use a properly
designated measurement equipment, such as a dropper, medication spoon, or oral
syringe, instead. If you need assistance obtaining or using a measuring
equipment, see your doctor or chemist.
If the dihydrocodeinone (Hydrocodone) combo medicine you are taking is not
controlling your symptoms, contact your doctor. Do not raise your medicine dose
on your own. If you take extra medicine or your doctor’s prescription, you may
have a deadly overdose.
If you have been using a dihydrocodeinone (Hydrocodone) combination medicine
for many weeks or longer, do not discontinue taking it without first consulting
your doctor. You may have withdrawal symptoms if you abruptly stop using a dihydrocodeinone
(Hydrocodone) combo medication. Your doctor will most likely progressively
reduce your dose.
For some dihydrocodeinone (Hydrocodone) combination medicines, ask your
chemist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.
Other use for this medication
This drug may also be recommended for other purposes; consult your doctor or
chemist for additional details.
What further measures should I take?
Tell your doctor and chemist if you are allergic to dihydrocodeinone
(Hydrocodone), the other medication in the dihydrocodeinone (Hydrocodone)
combination product you are taking, other opiate (narcotic) medications such as
morphine or codeine, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in the dihydrocodeinone
(Hydrocodone) combination product you are taking before taking it. For a list
of the chemicals, see your chemist or the manufacturer’s information for the
patient.
Inform your doctor and chemist about any prescription and over-the-counter
drugs, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal items you are taking or
intend to use. Make sure you include any of the following: Antidepressants,
antihistamines, and antipsychotics (medicine for mental disorders) are all
examples of antidepressants. cyclobenzaprine (Amrix); dextromethorphan (found
in many cough medications; in Nuedexta); ipratropium (Atrovent); lithium
(Lithobid); medications for irritable bowel disease, motion sickness,
Parkinson’s disease, seizures, ulcers, or urinary problems; medications for
migraine headaches such as almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax),
frovatript,
fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, in Symbyax), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine
(Brisdelle, Prozac, Pexeva), and sertraline (
Zoloft); serotonin and norepinephrine
reuptake inhibitors such as desvenlafaxine (Khedezla, Pristiq), duloxetine
(Cymbalta), milnacipran (Savella), and venlafaxine (Effexor); tramadol,
trazodone (Oleptro); and tricyclic antidepressants (‘mood elevators’) such as
amitriptyline, clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin
(Silenor), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), protriptyline
(Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil). Also tell your doctor or pharmacist
if you are taking or receiving monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors or have
stopped taking them within the past 2 weeks: isocarboxazid (Marplan), linezolid
(Zyvox), methylene blue, phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline
(Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). Many other medications
may also interact with dihydrocodeinone (Hydrocodone) combination products, so
be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even if
they are not on this list. Your doctor may need to adjust the dosage of your
drugs or closely monitor you for adverse effects.
READ MORE: Giazo-Uses-side
effects-dosage-interactions and Review.
Inform your doctor about any herbal supplements you are taking, particularly
St. John’s wort and tryptophan.
Inform your doctor if you have or have ever had any of the disorders listed in
the IMPORTANT WARNING section, or if you have paralytic ileus (a condition in
which digested food does not pass through the intestines). Your doctor may
advise you against taking a dihydrocodeinone (Hydrocodone) combo product.
If you have or have ever had difficulties urinating, seizures, or thyroid,
intestinal, liver, pancreatic, gallbladder, or renal illness, notify your
doctor.
If you are nursing, inform your doctor.
You should be aware that this medicine may reduce fertility in both men and
women. Discuss the dangers of using a dihydrocodeinone (Hydrocodone) combo
product with your doctor.
Tell your doctor or dentist if you are about to have surgery, including dental
surgery, that you are taking a dihydrocodeinone (Hydrocodone) combination
medication.
You should be aware that dihydrocodeinone (Hydrocodone) combo products may
cause drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery until you have determined
how this drug affects you.
What dietary restrictions should I observe?
Continue to eat normally unless your doctor instructs you differently.
What should I do if I forget to take a medication?
This drug is typically given only when necessary. If your doctor has
prescribed a dihydrocodeinone (Hydrocodone) combination medication, take the
missing dosage as soon as you recall it. Wait at least 4 hours before taking
the next dosage of tablets, syrup, pill, or solution, or at least 12 hours
before taking the following dose of extended-release capsules or
extended-release solution. If your next dosage is approaching, omit the missing
dose and resume your usual dosing regimen. Do not duplicate the dose to make up
for a missing one.
What are the potential Side effects of this medication?
Side effects from dihydrocodeinone (Hydrocodone) combination products are
possible. Inform your doctor if any of the following symptoms are severe or
persistent:
constipation
drowsiness
lightheadedness
hazy thinking
anxiety
unusually cheerful or unusually sad mood
trouble with dry throat urinating
itching rash
pupil constriction (black rings in the centre of the eyes)
Some of the negative effects might be severe. If you develop any of the
following symptoms, contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical
attention:
agitation, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things or hearing voices that do
not exist), fever, sweating, confusion, fast heartbeat, shivering, severe
muscle stiffness or twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, loss of
appetite, weakness, or dizziness
inability to get or keep an erection
irregular menstruation
decreased sexual desire
chest tightness
Other negative effects of dihydrocodeinone (Hydrocodone) combo products are
possible. If you have any odd side effects while taking this medicine, contact
your doctor.
If you have a significant adverse event, you or your doctor can report it to
the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online
(http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
What should I know about this medication’s storage and disposal?
Keep this medication in its original container, properly closed, and out of
the reach of children. It should be stored at room temperature, away from
excessive heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Any old or no longer needed
medication must be disposed of immediately through a medicine take-back
programme. If you do not have a local or easily accessible take-back programme,
flush any obsolete or no longer needed dihydrocodeinone (Hydrocodone) combo
goods down the toilet so that others do not take them. Consult your chemist on
how to properly dispose of your medicine.
It is critical to keep all medicine out of children’s sight and access since
many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams,
patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are readily opened by young
children. To keep small children safe from poisoning, always lock the safety
caps and immediately store the medication in a safe location out of their sight
and reach. http://www.upandaway.org
In the event of an emergency or an overdose
In the event of an overdose, dial 1-800-222-1222 for poison control. There
is additional information accessible online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help.
If the person has collapsed, had a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or
cannot be woken, dial 911 immediately.
While using a dihydrocodeinone (Hydrocodone) combination product, talk to
your doctor about keeping a rescue drug called naloxone on hand (e.g., at home
or the workplace). Naloxone is used to counteract the potentially fatal
consequences of an overdose. It relieves hazardous symptoms produced by
excessive levels of opiates in the blood by inhibiting the effects of opiates.
If you live in a household with small children or someone who has misused
street or prescription drugs, your doctor may also prescribe naloxone. Make
sure you and your family members, carers, or anyone who spend time with you
understand how to recognise an overdose, how to administer naloxone, and what
to do until emergency medical aid comes. Your doctor or chemist will
demonstrate how to use the drug to you and your family members. Request the
instructions from your chemist or go to the manufacturer’s website.
If you experience overdose symptoms, a friend or family member should
provide the first dosage of naloxone, contact 911 immediately, then stay with
you and closely monitor you until emergency medical aid comes. After receiving
naloxone, your symptoms may return within a few minutes. If your symptoms
reappear, the individual should provide another dosage of naloxone. If symptoms
reappear before medical aid comes, further doses may be administered every 2 to
3 minutes.
Overdose symptoms may include the following:
pupils that have been constricted or enlarged
slow, shallow, or no breathing trouble breathing slow, shallow, or no heartbeat
skin that is chilly, clammy, or bluish
extreme drowsiness
convulsions that are unable to respond or awaken
What else should I be aware of?
Keep all of your doctor’s and laboratory appointments. Your doctor will
request lab testing to determine your body’s reaction to a dihydrocodeinone
(Hydrocodone) combo product.
Tell your doctor and the laboratory professionals that you are taking dihydrocodeinone
(Hydrocodone) before undergoing any laboratory tests (particularly those
involving methylene blue).
This prescription cannot be renewed. Call your doctor if you still have
discomfort or a cough after you’ve finished your medicine.
It is critical that you keep a written record of all prescription and
nonprescription (over-the-counter) medications you are taking, as well as any
vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should carry this list
with you whenever you go to the doctor or are admitted to the hospital. It is
also crucial to have this information on hand in case of an emergency.
Disclaimer: DrLinex has made every effort to ensure
that all information is factually accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date.
However, this article should not be used as a licensed health care
professional’s choice of knowledge and expertise. You should always consult
your doctor or other health care professional before taking any medication. The
information given here is subject to change and it has not been used to cover
all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions,
allergic reactions or adverse effects. The lack of warning or other information
for any drug does not indicate that the combination of medicine or medication
is safe, effective or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.