Hydrocodone is available only in combination with other ingredients, and different combination products are prescribed for different uses. Some hydrocodone products are used to relieve moderate to severe pain. Other hydrocodone products are used to relieve cough. Hydrocodone is in a class of medications called opiate (narcotic) analgesics and in a class of medications called antitussives. Hydrocodone relieves pain by changing the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain. Hydrocodone relieves cough by decreasing activity in the part of the brain that causes coughing.
Hydrocodone must be used with caution in children. Extended-release products containing hydrocodone should not be given to children younger than 6 years of age and should be used with caution in children 6-12 years of age. Talk to your doctor about the risks of giving hydrocodone to your child.
You will take hydrocodone in combination with at least one other medication, but this monograph only provides information about hydrocodone. Be sure to read information about the other ingredients in the hydrocodone product you are taking. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Hydrocodone comes as a tablet, a capsule, a syrup, a solution (clear liquid), an extended-release (long-acting) capsule, and an extended-release (long-acting) suspension (liquid) to take by mouth. The tablet, capsule, syrup, and solution are usually taken every 4-6 hours as needed. The extended-release capsule and the extended-release suspension are usually taken every 12 hours as needed. If you are taking hydrocodone on a regular schedule, take it at around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.
Swallow the extended-release capsules whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.
Shake the extended-release suspension well before each use to mix the medication evenly. Do not mix the extended-release suspension with other medications or with other liquids such as water.
If you will be using hydrocodone solution, syrup, or extended-release suspension, do not use a household teaspoon to measure your dose. Household teaspoons are not accurate measuring devices, and you may receive too much medication or not enough medication if you measure your dose with a household teaspoon. Instead, use a properly marked measuring device such as a dropper, medicine spoon, or oral syringe. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you need help getting or using a measuring device.
Call your doctor if your symptoms are not controlled by the hydrocodone product you are taking. Do not increase your dose of medication on your own. You may receive a dangerous overdose if you take more medication or take your medication more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Hydrocodone may be habit-forming. Take hydrocodone exactly as directed. Do not take a larger dose, take it more often, or take it for a longer period of time than prescribed by your doctor. Call your doctor if you develop a strong desire to take more medication than prescribed.
If you have taken hydrocodone for several weeks or longer, do not stop taking the medication without talking to your doctor. If you suddenly stop taking hydrocodone, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient, available for certain hydrocodone combination products.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
- Anaplex®-HD Cough (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone, Brompheniramine Maleate, and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride)
- Anexsia® (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen)
- Bancap HC® (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen)
- Ceta-Plus® (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen)
- Codal®-DH (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone, Phenylephrine Hydrochloride, and Pyrilamine Maleate)
- Codiclear® DH (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Guaifenesin)
- Codimal® DH (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone, Phenylephrine Hydrochloride, and Pyrilamine Maleate)
- Co-Gesic® (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen)
- Cyndal® HD (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride)
- Cytuss® HC (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride)
- Damason-P® (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Aspirin)
- Detussin® (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Pseudoephrine Hydrochloride)
- Donatussin DC® (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone, Guaifenesin, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride)
- Duratuss® HD (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone, Guaifenesin, and Pseudoephrine Hydrochloride)
- Endal® HD (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride)
- Entuss® (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Guaifenesin)
- Entuss® Expectorant (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Potassium Guaiacolsulfonate)
- Entuss-D® (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone, Potassium Guaiacolsulfonate, and Pseudoephrine Hydrochloride)
- G-Tuss® (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Guaifenesin)
- Histinex®-D (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Pseudoephrine Hydrochloride)
- Histinex® HC (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride)
- Histussin®-D (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Pseudoephrine Hydrochloride)
- Histussin® HC (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride)
- Hycodan® (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Homatropine Methylbromide)
- Hycomine® Compound (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone, Acetaminophen, Caffeine Anhydrous, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride)
- Hycosin® (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Guaifenesin)
- Hycotuss® (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Guaifenesin)
- Hydrocet® (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen)
- Hydrogesic® (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen)
- Hydromet® (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Homatropine Methylbromide)
- Hydromide® (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Homatropine Methylbromide)
- Hydropane® HD Plus (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Homatropine Methylbromide)
- Hydrophene® DH (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone, Phenylephrine Hydrochloride, and Pyrilamine Maleate)
- Hydro-Tussin® HD (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone, Guaifenesin, and Pseudoephrine Hydrochloride)
- Hyphed® (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, and Pseudoephrine Hydrochloride)
- KG-Dal® HD (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride)
- KG-Dal® HD Plus (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride)
- KG-Tuss® HD (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone, Guaifenesin, and Pseudoephrine Hydrochloride)
- KG-Tussin® (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, and Pseudoephrine Hydrochloride)
- Kwelcof® (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Guaifenesin)
- Lorcet®-HD (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen)
- Lorcet® Plus (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen)
- Lortab® (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen)
- Maxidone® Cough (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen)
- Nalex® DH (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride)
- Norco® (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen)
- Pneumotussin® (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Guaifenesin)
- Protuss® (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Potassium Guaiacolsulfonate)
- Protuss®-D (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone, Potassium Guaiacolsulfonate, and Pseudoephrine Hydrochloride)
- P-V-Tussin® (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Pseudoephrine Hydrochloride)
- P-V-Tussin® Syrup (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, and Pseudoephrine Hydrochloride)
- Su-Tuss®-HD (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone, Guaifenesin, and Pseudoephrine Hydrochloride)
- Tussafed-HC® (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone, Guaifenesin, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride)
- Tuss-DS® (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride)
- Tussend® (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, and Pseudoephrine Hydrochloride)
- Tuss-HC® (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride)
- Tussigon® (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Homatropine Methylbromide)
- Tussionex® Pennkinetic® (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Chlorpheniramine)
- Tuss-PD® (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride)
- Tuss-S® Expectorant (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Pseudoephrine Hydrochloride)
- Vanex® HD (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride)
- Vicodin® (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen)
- Vicodin ES® (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen)
- Vicodin Tuss® Expectorant (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Guaifenesin)
- Vicoprofen® (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Ibuprofen)
- Vitussin® (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Guaifenesin)
- Zydone® (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen)
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