An opioid overdose occurs when a person uses enough of the drug to produce life-threatening symptoms or death. When people overdose on an opioid medication, their breathing often slows or stops. This can decrease the amount of oxygen that reaches the brain, which can result in coma, permanent brain damage, or death. In an individual physically dependent on opioids, administration of the recommended usual dosage of theantagonist will precipitate an acute withdrawal syndrome. The severity of the withdrawal symptomsexperienced will depend on the degree of physical dependence and the dose of the antagonistadministered.
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Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries. One way to find out how long a drug will last in the body is to measure its half-life. The half-life is the time it takes for half of the drug to be eliminated from the body. Hydrocodone is taken by mouth (orally) and has to pass through your digestive system before you begin to feel its effects. You should start feeling the effects of hydrocodone in under an hour.
Drugs that work similar to Vicodin
- It is very important that you understand the rules of the Opioid Analgesic REMS program to prevent addiction, abuse, and misuse of hydrocodone.
- If you need surgery or medical tests, tell the doctor ahead of time that you are using this medicine.
- Your doctor may also prescribe you naloxone if you are living in a household where there are small children or someone who has abused street or prescription drugs.
- Follow the directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides.
- The Vicodin brand has been discontinued in the United States.
Extended-release formulations of hydrocodone are specifically formulated to be difficult to crush, break, or dissolve in order to prevent abuse. If you’re concerned about how long you’ve been taking opioids or want to cut back your dose, talk with your prescribing doctor. They can help you find an alternative medication or work with you to taper down your dose. As a result, it’s difficult to get a complete picture of the effects of long-term opioid use.
What’s considered long-term opioid usage?
If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. 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. Hydrocodone side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider vicodin addiction to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Along with its needed effects, hydrocodone may cause some unwanted effects.
Hydrocodone: 7 things you should know
OUD involves repeated use of opioids despite significant negative effects. This is partly because there’s no formal definition of “long-term” use. Some experts define taking opioids for 3 months or longer as long-term use, but others consider a few weeks to be long-term use.