HYDROCODONE

GENERIC NAME(S): PHENYLEPHRINE HCL/HYDROCODONE BITARTRATE/CHLORPHENIRAMINE

 

Description: Hydrocodone produces generalised CNS depression and used mainly as tartrate for relief of irritant cough.
Pharmacokinetics: 
Absorption: Well absorbed from the GI tract. Time to peak plasma concentration: 1.3 hr.
Distribution: Crosses the placenta and enters breast milk.
Metabolism: Undergoes hepatic metabolism by O-demethylation via CYP2D6 isoenzyme to hydromorphone (active metabolite), N-demethylation via CYP3A4 isoenzyme to norhydrocodone (major metabolite) and 6-keto reduction.
Excretion: Via urine as unchanged drug. Elimination half-life: Approx 3.8 hr.

This combination product is a decongestant (relieve stuffy nose), antitussive (supresses cough), and antihistamine (relieve watery eyes, itchy eyes/nose/throat, runny nose, and sneezing) all at the same time. It used to treat symptoms caused by the common cold, flu, allergies, hay fever, or other breathing illnesses (e.g., sinusitis, bronchitis).

 

This product is not recommended to treat cold symptoms in children younger than 6 years. Some products (including some long-acting tablets/capsules) are not recommended for use in children younger than 12 years. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details about using your product safely.

 

How to use Hydrocodone CP

If you are taking the over-the-counter product to self-treat, read all directions on the product package before taking this medication. If you have any questions, consult your pharmacist. If your doctor has prescribed this medication, take it as directed.

 

Take this medication by mouth with or without food with a full glass of water (8 ounces or 240 milliliters) or as directed by your doctor. This medication may be taken with food or milk if stomach upset occurs. Dosage is based on your medical condition, age, and response to treatment.

 

If you are using a liquid form, use a medication-measuring device or spoon to carefully measure the prescribed dose. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose. If your liquid form is a suspension, shake the bottle well before each dose.

 

If you are using sustained-release tablets or capsules, swallow the medication whole. Do not crush, chew, or break the tablets or capsules. Doing so can destroy the long action of the drug and may increase side effects.

 

This medication may cause withdrawal reactions, especially if it has been used regularly for a long time (more than a few weeks) or in high doses. To prevent withdrawal reactions, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and report any withdrawal reactions immediately.

 

Do not increase your dose, take it more frequently, or use it for a longer time than prescribed. Properly stop the medication when so directed. This will lessen the chances of becoming addicted.

 

When used for an extended time, this medication may not work as well and may require different dosing. Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well.

 

Inform your doctor if your condition persists for more than 1 week, if it worsens, or if it occurs with fever, rash, or persistent headache. These may be symptoms of a serious medical problem and should be checked by a doctor.

Products that contain codeine or dihydrocodeine should not be used in children after certain surgeries (including tonsil/adenoid removal). Also, for children younger than 12 years, do not use codeine or dihydrocodeine to treat cough or pain unless specifically directed by the doctor. Use of codeine or dihydrocodeine is not recommended to treat cough and pain in children between 12 and 18 years old who have breathing problems. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about the risks and benefits of this medication.

Notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly If any of these effects persist or worsen:

 

  • Drowsiness
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • blurred vision
  • upset stomach
  • nausea
  • constipation
  • dry mouth/nose/throat

 

 

Dry mouth can be relieved by sucking on (sugarless) hard candy or ice chips, chewing (sugarless) gum, drinking water, or using a saliva substitute. This medication can dry up and thicken mucus in your lungs, making it more difficult to breathe and clear your lungs. To help prevent this effect, drink plenty of fluids unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

 

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:

 

  • mental/mood changes (e.g., hallucinations)
  • ringing in the ears
  • shaking (tremors)
  • trouble urinating
  • weakness
  • easy bruising/bleeding
  • fast/slow/irregular heartbeat

 

 

Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: seizure.

 

This product may cause serious mental/mood changes and very serious (rarely fatal) breathing problems. This product may contain codeine or dihydrocodeine. Get medical help right away if you notice any of the following:

 

  • slow/shallow breathing,
  • unusual drowsiness/difficulty waking up
  • confusion

 

 

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:

 

  • rash
  • itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
  • severe dizziness
  • trouble breathing

 

 

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Before taking this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

 

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

 

  • abdominal problems (e.g., chronic constipation, ileus, gallbladder disease, pancreatitis)
  • adrenal gland problem (e.g., Addison’s disease)
  • certain brain disorders (e.g., head injury, tumor, increased intracranial pressure)
  • breathing problems (e.g., asthma, emphysema, sleep apnea)
  • diabetes
  • a certain eye problem (glaucoma)
  • heart problems
  • high blood pressure
  • kidney problems
  • liver disease
  • mental/mood problems (e.g., depression, psychosis)
  • seizures
  • stomach/intestinal problems (e.g., ulcers, blockage)
  • thyroid problems (e.g., hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism)
  • urination problems (e.g., trouble urinating due to enlarged prostate, urinary retention)
  • use/abuse of drugs/alcohol

 

 

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or cause blurred vision. Limit the use of alcohol and certain other medications that cause drowsiness (See also Drug Interactions). To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.

 

If you have phenylketonuria (PKU) or any other condition that requires you to restrict your intake of aspartame (or phenylalanine), consult your doctor or pharmacist regarding the safe use of this medicine.

 

Caution is advised if you have diabetes, alcohol dependence, or liver disease. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safe use of this product.

 

In young children, this medication may cause agitation/excitement instead of drowsiness. Children may also be more sensitive to the side effects of the narcotic cough suppressant, especially extreme sleepiness, confusion, or slow/shallow/noisy breathing. (See also Warning section.)

 

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, slow/shallow breathing, fast heartbeat, constipation, and trouble urinating.

 

Before using this medication, women of childbearing age should talk with their doctor(s) about the risks and benefits. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It may slightly increase the risk of birth defects if used during the first two months of pregnancy. Also, using it for a long time or in high doses near the expected delivery date may harm the unborn baby. To lessen the risk, take the smallest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Tell the doctor right away if you notice any symptoms in your newborn baby such as slow/shallow breathing, irritability, abnormal/persistent crying, vomiting, or diarrhea.

 

This product may pass into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding. Products that contain codeine or dihydrocodeine may rarely have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Tell the doctor right away if your infant develops increased sleepiness, trouble breast-feeding, trouble breathing, or unusual limpness. If your product contains codeine or dihydrocodeine, discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor before breast-feeding.

 

Interactions

 

Some products that may interact with this drug include:

 

  • other anticholinergic drugs (e.g., benztropine, belladonna alkaloids)
  • antihistamines applied to the skin (such as diphenhydramine cream, ointment, spray)
  • beta blockers (e.g., metoprolol, atenolol)
  • cimetidine
  • guanethidine
  • certain inhaled anesthetics (e.g., halothane)
  • methyldopa
  • narcotic antagonists (e.g., naltrexone, naloxone)
  • reserpine
  • scopolamine
  • tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, desipramine)

 

 

Taking MAO inhibitors with this medication may cause a serious (possibly fatal) drug interaction. Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine) during treatment with this medication. Most MAO inhibitors should also not be taken for two weeks before treatment with this medication. Ask your doctor when to start or stop taking this medication.

 

The risk of serious side effects (such as slow/shallow breathing, severe drowsiness/dizziness) may be increased if this medication is taken with other products that may also affect breathing or cause drowsiness. Therefore, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products such as alcohol, medicine for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, and narcotic pain relievers (such as codeine).

 

Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products, diet aids) because they may contain ingredients that could affect your heart rate/blood pressure or cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.

 

This medication may interfere with certain medical/laboratory tests (including amylase/lipase levels, brain scan for Parkinson’s disease), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include: confusion, cold/clammy skin, fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, slow/shallow breathing, seizures, loss of consciousness.

 

Notes

If your doctor has prescribed this medication, do not share it with others. It is against the law.

 

Do not take this medication for several days before allergy testing because test results can be affected.

 

Missed Dose

If you are taking this product on a regular schedule and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

 

Storage

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Do not freeze liquid forms of this medication. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

 

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

 

Brands

 

There are no brands containing this molecule.

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