In other words, oxycodone and hydrocodone offer essentially the same type of pain relief. Studies show that oxycodone is about 1. Hydrocodone is a central nervous system CNS depressant. Depressants work to slow down critical nerve function, which affects breathing and cognitive ability.
Opioid overdoses are caused when the nervous system is depressed to a critical point and the body is unable to function. If someone takes too much of any opioid, the respiratory system may become overwhelmed and cause breathing to completely stop. Not all overdoses are fatal, but they can cause long-term organ damage due to the lack of oxygen. Without a consistent oxygen supply, organ tissue like the ones found in the brain can die, causing permanent brain damage. Overdose is most likely when someone abuses their prescription, takes hydrocodone without one, or mixes the drug with alcohol or other drugs.
Some physical signs of an overdose include:. If you think someone is showing one or more of these symptoms after taking any opioid, get emergency medical help right away.
Alcohol, like hydrocodone, is a CNS depressant. Most people are familiar with its effects and understand how it can impair physical and cognitive ability and slow reaction times.
Typically, mixing any two drugs will enhance the negative effects of both substances. Consuming alcohol with an opioid such as hydrocodone will enhance the depressive effects of both substances. Even if mixing the two drugs does not cause an overdose, it can still increase the chance of engaging in dangerous activities such as driving under the influence. Additionally, the drugs that hydrocodone is typically formulated with can create adverse reactions with alcohol.
Mixing hydrocodone with alcohol is extremely dangerous and can cause impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills. Death has been reported due to overdose. Alcohol can be found in many over-the-counter medicines, such as cough syrup, so it is important to read all medicine labels to avoid the risk of taking medications that contain alcohol while using hydrocodone.
Acetaminophen can be toxic to the liver. When a doctor prescribes hydrocodone to treat a particular medical problem, he or she knows important specifics about the patient, such as weight, current condition, medical history, any particular allergies or sensitivities, and can prescribe the appropriate dose and form of the drug, warn of side effects, and monitor progress. Doing so can not only hamper the effectiveness of the medication you are taking but could also lead to severe side effects that could be life-threatening.
This is especially true for substances like hydrocodone. Read more to learn why:. Hydrocodone is a semisynthetic, moderately potent opioid with analgesic and antitussive effects. It is often used as a component of combination prescription medications usually painkillers meant to treat moderate to severe pain. It works by binding to and activating mu-opioid receptors in the central nervous system, causing various effects like respiratory depression, euphoria, analgesia, and cough suppression.
Hydrocodone is taken orally, and its extended-release pill should be swallowed whole without breaking, opening, or crushing. When taking this medication, it is essential to follow the directions on the prescription label exactly as stated and to read the medication guides provided. This substance can slow your breathing or even stop it; therefore, you should avoid taking large doses of it and use it only as prescribed by your doctor and never for an extended period.
Since hydrocodone is a Drug Enforcement Administration Schedule II-controlled substance , it has a high potential for abuse. Hydrocodone misuse can very quickly lead to addiction. The reason hydrocodone is so addictive is that it is meant to relieve pain. In taking away the sensation of pain comes a feeling of drowsiness and euphoria, which may become addictive as one consumes the drug more and more. Once a person using an opioid medication begins to look for the drug and the sensations that come along with it, taking more than the prescribed dose, it has already become an addiction.
Some other side effects include vomiting, sore throat, or other cold symptoms. Just like most prescribed medication, taking too much hydrocodone can lead to an overdose. Since hydrocodone is an opioid depressant, it slows down your central nervous system and may affect your breathing and cognitive ability.
When you take way too much hydrocodone, your central nervous system may be depressed so much that your respiratory system becomes overwhelmed, and your breathing may come to a complete halt. Even in mild cases of an opioid overdose, your body may still suffer long-term damage due to the lack of oxygen in your organs. When breathing is impaired, and your organs do not receive enough oxygen, the tissue in your organs dies, causing severe, sometimes permanent, damage.
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