Get Informed: Hydrocodone
Active Ingredient(s)
Hydrocodone
What does it do?
This product is used in combination with acetaminophen or other NSAIDs in the treatment of moderate to moderately severe pain. It is a narcotic analgesic that also has cough suppressant properties.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Jul-31 1:43 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Jul-30 9:17 PM
Other Names
- Hydrocodone
- Hydrocodone Bitartrate
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
- Please log in
- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category
- C
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 03 May 1982
- Est US Patients*
- 2,238,000
- Generic Available
- No
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Hydrocodone or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Hydrocodone
There have been no iGuard.org alerts regarding Hydrocodone during the past year.
Hydrocodone Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Hydrocodone interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Hydrocodone used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 16,500 patients that use Hydrocodone (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Pain-Generalized | 44% |
mild
severe
|
| Back/Neck Pain | 36% |
mild
severe
|
| Osteoarthritis | 16% |
mild
severe
|
| Migraine/Headache | 11% |
mild
severe
|
| Fibromyalgia | 8% |
mild
severe
|
| Rheumatoid Arthritis | 8% |
mild
severe
|
| Other | 15% |
mild
severe
|
How well does Hydrocodone work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 16,500 users taking Hydrocodone (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iGuard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 77%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Hydrocodone outweigh the bad things.
- 12%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Hydrocodone.
Common Side Effects of Hydrocodone
iGuard regularly polls our more than 16,500 users taking Hydrocodone (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
42% of patients experience side-effects on Hydrocodone
6% of patients experience significant side-effects on Hydrocodone
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Drowsiness
-
Constipation
-
Nausea/Vomiting
-
Grogginess/Confusion
-
Abdo Pain/Cramps
-
Itch/Rash
-
Dryness
-
Dizziness
-
Anxiety
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Chest Pain/Tightness, Fatigue, Hair Loss, Headache, Insomnia, Loss of Appetite, Loss of Libido, Mood/Behavior Changes, Rebound Headache, Swelling/Edema, Urinary Frequency, Vision Changes, Weight Gain
Global Patient Feedback for Hydrocodone ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I am a 61 year old male with degenerative joint disease in my neck and hips. I have been taking 5/500 Hydrocodone for about 6 months with good results for pain. I am experiencing constipation however and was wondering if anyone else has this symptom and what they are doing for it?
60 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-06-29 23:07:42
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Constipation when taking opioid pain medication, such as hydrocodone 5/500, is very common. Most patients who take these medication regularly need a stool softener and a laxative. Also, there is a medication that specifically treats opioid-induced constipation. It may be more expensive and is only available by prescription. It is important to talk to your physician before adding any medication and make sure that there is not a different condition causing your constipation.
Posted: 2010-07-12 16:15:27
Answer/Reply:
Make sure to take a fiber supplement, which should help. If that doesn't work, or if you still have occasional bouts of constipation, you might want to try docusate sodium (brand name-Colace) softgels. You can find this in any pharmacy, and I used to get a bottle of 100 ct (100 mg) for under $5.00 at Target. When I was having really bad problems, before taking the fiber supplement, I was taking up to 600 mg per day (usually divided into in 3 doses). Since I have been dealing with chronic pain for 14 yrs, and been through every pain procedure possible (some experimental), I know intimately about your problem. Hope this helps.
56 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-07-17 19:30:38
Question/Comment:
I hgve been taking Hydrocodone 10/350 for probably 2 years now and experience some shaking in my hands and some depression when I take it regularly. I had arthroscopy on both my knees and when they hurt, this is about the only thing that helps. I have also begun to have vision changes and have wondered it this is a result of age or medication. Had my glasses changed last year, so don't think it's that.
Female Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-05-30 22:50:15
Question/Comment:
I have been taking Hydrocodone/APAP since 2004 when I shattered my right ankle. Then in 2006 I was told I have Rheumatoid Arthritis. I do not take them every day, maybe once a week some times more if the RA is really bad. I can tell you they are the only pain med that helps me. Mine are 5-500. My last refill was 3-1-10 for 100 pills and I have 92 in my bottle, so you see I don't take alot of them.My Doctors watch things very closely because of the other meds I take for RA. God Bless :)
43 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-05-06 01:08:41
Question/Comment:
I am a 42 year old female that has been re-ended twice. once by a loaded semi. I live in constant lower back pain that does go down my leg. there is some nerve/disc damage that doesn't qualify for surgery. i have been taking hydro 10/500 for over a year. it takes the edge off but not much of it. It is getting harder and harder to get a refil. any ideas?
42 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-07 12:48:13
iGuard Answer/Reply:
There are various options that you should discuss with your doctor. You could seek chiropractic evaluation as one option. You may also benefit from physical therapy. In addition there may be other medications or approved steroid injections that could be given as well to supplement or replace the long term use of the hydrocodone. In all cases, the options should be discussed in detail with your treating doctor. Your doctor may also be willing to refer you to a doctor who specializes in pain management.
Posted: 2010-01-07 21:55:25
Answer/Reply:
I have digenative disc disease and have constant back pain also. Opana ER 40 mgs twice each day plus a 10/650 of hydro plus welbutrin has finally gotten me to where I can stand the pain and do not have to lay on my side for so many hours of each day. I have been going to a pain clinic where I receive injections bi-monthly for 6 plus years now and that helps also.
49 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-12 10:22:49
Answer/Reply:
I had injections for 5 yrs. and while they do help, they can cause irreversible side effects over long term use. I would suggest you research the pros and cons of steroid use. They can also create a sense of no pain while enabling one to cause more damage to oneself with a false sense of not having the same mobility problems.
55 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-04-15 21:20:03
Question/Comment:
I'm a 50 year old male and about a year and a half ago i developed degenerative joint disease in my hips with my right hip being way worse. I started taking 5/1000 of hydrocodone and now take 10/500. It seems now that it doesn't seem to be as affective. I take 5 or 6 a day. About one every 3 to 4 hours. Tried taking Oxycontin but doesn't seem to work or if I take to much I don't like the way I feel. Does anyone have anything similar going on?
50 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-11-19 09:50:59
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
122
Patient Comments About
Hydrocodone