Hydrocodone
Maclay Rehabilitation Center
Hydrocodone
Hydrocodone is an antitussive (cough suppressant) and analgesic agent for the
treatment of moderate to moderately severe pain. Studies indicate that hydrocodone is
as effective, or more effective, than codeine for cough suppression and nearly
equipotent to morphine for pain relief.
Hydrocodone is the most frequently prescribed opiate in the United States with nearly
130 million prescriptions for hydrocodone-containing products dispensed in 2006.
There are several hundred brand name and generic hydrocodone products marketed.
All are combination products and the most frequently prescribed combination is
hydrocodone and acetaminophen (Vicodin®, Lortab®, Lorcet).
Hydrocodone diversion and abuse has been escalating in recent years. In 2006,
hydrocodone was the most frequently encountered opioid pharmaceutical in drug
evidence submitted to the National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS) with
25,136 exhibits; the System to Retrieve Investigational Drug Evidence (STRIDE)
analyzed 654 exhibits in 2006. In the 2005 Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN)
combination products were associated with more emergency room visits than any other
pharmaceutical opioid with an estimated 51,225 emergency room visits. Poison control
data, medical examiners’ reports, and treatment center data all indicate that the abuse
of hydrocodone is associated with significant public health risks, including a substantial
number of deaths.
Short-Term Effects
Hydrocodone in an analgesic and antitussive agent structurally similar to codeine but
with effects more similar to morphine.
Hydrocodone is abused for its opioid effects. Widespread diversion via bogus call-in
prescriptions, altered prescriptions, theft and illicit purchases from Internet sources are
made easier by the present controls placed on hydrocodone products. Hydrocodone
pills are the most frequently encountered dosage form in illicit traffic. Hydrocodone is
generally abused orally, often in combination with alcohol.
Long-Term Effects
As with most opiates, abuse of hydrocodone is associated with tolerance, dependence,
and addiction. The co-formulation with acetaminophen carries an additional risk of liver
toxicity when high, acute doses are consumed. Data suggests that some individuals
who abuse very high doses of acetaminophen-containing hydrocodone products may
be spared this liver toxicity if they have been chronically taking these products and have
escalated their dose slowly over a long period of time.
For more information click here
Hydrocodone is an antitussive (cough suppressant) and analgesic agent for the
treatment of moderate to moderately severe pain. Studies indicate that hydrocodone is
as effective, or more effective, than codeine for cough suppression and nearly
equipotent to morphine for pain relief.
Hydrocodone is the most frequently prescribed opiate in the United States with nearly
130 million prescriptions for hydrocodone-containing products dispensed in 2006.
There are several hundred brand name and generic hydrocodone products marketed.
All are combination products and the most frequently prescribed combination is
hydrocodone and acetaminophen (Vicodin®, Lortab®, Lorcet).
Hydrocodone diversion and abuse has been escalating in recent years. In 2006,
hydrocodone was the most frequently encountered opioid pharmaceutical in drug
evidence submitted to the National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS) with
25,136 exhibits; the System to Retrieve Investigational Drug Evidence (STRIDE)
analyzed 654 exhibits in 2006. In the 2005 Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN)
combination products were associated with more emergency room visits than any other
pharmaceutical opioid with an estimated 51,225 emergency room visits. Poison control
data, medical examiners’ reports, and treatment center data all indicate that the abuse
of hydrocodone is associated with significant public health risks, including a substantial
number of deaths.
Short-Term Effects
Hydrocodone in an analgesic and antitussive agent structurally similar to codeine but
with effects more similar to morphine.
Hydrocodone is abused for its opioid effects. Widespread diversion via bogus call-in
prescriptions, altered prescriptions, theft and illicit purchases from Internet sources are
made easier by the present controls placed on hydrocodone products. Hydrocodone
pills are the most frequently encountered dosage form in illicit traffic. Hydrocodone is
generally abused orally, often in combination with alcohol.
Long-Term Effects
As with most opiates, abuse of hydrocodone is associated with tolerance, dependence,
and addiction. The co-formulation with acetaminophen carries an additional risk of liver
toxicity when high, acute doses are consumed. Data suggests that some individuals
who abuse very high doses of acetaminophen-containing hydrocodone products may
be spared this liver toxicity if they have been chronically taking these products and have
escalated their dose slowly over a long period of time.
For more information click here
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