According to DEA’s National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS) and System to Retrieve Information from Drug Evidence (STRIDE)/STARLiMS databases, since 2009, hydrocodone has been the second most frequently encountered opioid pharmaceutical product. Doctors and health practitioners prescribe this medicine for the patients who are looking for relief from moderate to severe pain. Moreover, as it contains an opioid pain reliever i.e. hydrocodone and a non-opioid pain reliever called acetaminophen, it tend to work well even for those who have not received relief from other medications.
Uses of Hydrocodone
When you are taking in Hydrocodone it works in the brain and changes how your body feels and responds to pain. Thus, it is a major pain relief medicine out there that is being prescribed by a lot of doctors to their patients. Doctors also prescribe Hydrocodone for the patients as antitussive i.e. cough suppressant and narcotic analgesic agent as they come for the treatment of moderate to moderately severe pain. Thus, it has long been associated with a major medicine for treatment of pain whether it is severe or moderate.
Several studies done on patients also conclude that hydrocodone is as effective, or more effective, than codeine for cough suppression. It has long been prescribed by doctors to the patients who have severe coughing issues and unable to hold in for long. Similarly, Hydrocodone is used as a major relief for pain as according to the same study it is nearly equipotent to morphine for pain relief. We all know how much morphine is used by people for pain relief.
According to some estimates Hydrocodone is the most frequently prescribed opioid in the US where more than 136.7 million prescriptions for hydrocodone-containing products dispensed in 2013 alone. Similarly, nearly 93.7 million were dispensed in 2016 and 83.6 million sold to patients in 2017. Thus, it has long been used for various purposes and recommended a lot for various ailments.
Side-Effects of Hydrocodone 500mg
When doctors prescribe you Hydrocodone 500mg, you are also told about the side-effects that may accompany the medicine. For instance, a few patients when consume the medicine may feel nausea, vomiting, constipation, lightheadedness, dizziness, etc. amongst others. A lot of other patients may also come across with symptoms like drowsiness and feeling dull all the while after the medication. Needless to say some of these side-effects may subside after some time. However, in situation there is no decrease in the symptoms after some time, you should consult the doctor and tell the whole state of affair to him.
Some patients may also face issues like constipation when they are taking in Hydrocodone 500mg regularly. However, to prevent constipation caused by the medication, the patients are advised to eat dietary fiber, drink enough water, and exercise regularly.
Precautions while taking in Hydrocodone 500mg
Doctors advise a lot of precautions to the patients when they are prescribe Hydrocodone 500mg to them. According to them before using this medication, the patients should tell doctor or pharmacist about their medical history. The patients who have brain disorders like head injury, tumor, seizures, etc. should tell the doctor honestly about these health issues. Similarly, patients should tell about breathing problems like asthma, sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD to doctors.
The patients with kidney disease, liver disease, personal or family history of a substance use disorder should also be careful with Hydrocodone 500mg medication.
