Hydrocodone / Acetaminophen
Vicodin
ainDrug Class and Mechanism of Action of Hydrocodone
Hydrocodone is related to the narcotic pain relievers, opiate-type medications particularly. The action mechanism of this medication is as follows – the drug affects the certain centers of the human brain to provide a relief from this or that pain type. As for the Acetaminophen, it is not related to narcotic pain relief medications.
Therapeutic Uses of Hydrocodone
Hydrocodone is used with an aim to cease moderate as well as severe pain. It may be also applied to suppress cough.
Direction of use of Hydrocodone
- Apply the Denavir cream with clean hands onto clean and dry face.
- Rub the cream into the cold sores area thoroughly and wash your hands after the usage of the cream.
- The cream should applied on the face every two hours of vigil for the period of 4 days or according to your doctor prescriptions.
- It is recommended to start using the cream even before the outbreaks appears i.e. at the stage when only signs of the cold sores occur.
This medication should be taken orally no matter with food or without it. In case you apply the liquid med – follow the dosage schedule and use dose-measuring spoon to get the coorect dosage of the medication. Avoid using common household spoons for this.
Your doctor prescribes the dosage according to the present medical condition. Such type of drugs are most efficient when are taken before the pain growth to the severe, otherwise the efficiency of the medication decreases.
Strictly follow the dosage prescribed, and avoid taking it after the prescribed period of time as this medication may turn to be habit-forming. Furthermore, having used the drug for a long period of time – avoid stopping taking it suddenly until the doctor advices you to do this.
Contact you health-care provider in case the medication ceased to provide the sufficient effect or your condition remains the same or worsens.
Dose of Hydrocodone, if Missed
In case you have missed to take the medication take it as soon as it possible. However in case it is already the time to use your next dosage of Hydrocodone then you should skip the dosage missed and follow your common schedule of med usage. Avoid using two dosages at once.
How to Store Hydrocodone
The medication should be kept at the temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) in a dark and dry place. Avoid keeping the medication in the bathroom. Store the medication beyond of the reach of children and pets. Moreover the medications shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet. Just discard the medication as it is said in the Consumer Note in case you don’t need this med anymore. Contact you health-care provider in case you don’t know where you should discard the medication.
More Information About Hydrocodone
Avoid giving the medication to the people who are not prescribed to use it. Follow the diet during the treatment period to avoid constipation.
Precautions to be Taken While Taking Hydrocodone
Let your doctor know in case you have allergic reaction to the medication or any material included in it.
Furthermore tell the doctor your medical history, especially in case:
- you have ever had liver disease, kidney disease, complicated urinating
- you had alcohol use, drug dependency, heart problems, abdominal/stomach problems, lung disease
- you had seizure disorders, serious head injury or brain disease, spinal problems, low thyroid disease, adrenal gland problems, psychiatric problems.
Do not use the medication and consult your doctor at first in case you have severe breathing problems (like respiratory depression), severe diarrhea.
Important notes to consider:
- The use of the medication may lead to dizziness or drowsiness, thus take the medication with the caution in case you are involved in operating certain machinery. The use of the alcohol may increase the drugs side effects.
- The medication should be taken cautiously in elderly patients as they may be more sensitive to the side effects of the medication.
- The medication may be dangerous for human fetus, thus the use of the drug should be recommended by the health-care provider.
- The medication may also appear in the breast milk. Therefore contact your doctor before breast-feeding a baby during the hydrocodone treatment period.
- The medication may interact with another drugs, thus let you doctor know if you take any before starting the treatment.
Possible Adverse Effects
The use of the Hydrocodone may cause such common side effects as:
- Nausea, vomiting, constipation, lightheadedness, dizziness, drowsiness, flushing, vision changes, or mental/mood changes. Contact your doctor in case you experience any of these side effects.
- Slow/irregular breathing, slow/irregular heartbeat, change in the amount of urine. Contact your health care provider at once in case you have any of the above mentioned side effects.
The use of the medication may also cause certain allergic reaction, however it is very unlikely to happen. In case it occur contact your doctor instantly. Rash, severe dizziness, swelling, complicated breathing.
In case you experience certain side effect that is not presented in this list, contact your doctor immediately. Furthermore, don’t forget that your doctor prescribed you the medication according to your individual condition.
Common adult dosage of the medication is 4 grams per day. The increased use of the medication may cause certain liver problems. Contact your doctor in case you experience: nausea, yellowing eyes or the skin, dark urine or severe fatigue.