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All About Hycodan and its Effects

What is Hycodan?

Hycodan is the official name for the drug Hydrocodone, which is nothing but a semi-synthetic drug (opioid), which is derived from thebaine or codeine - the natural opiates. Hycodan is an oral cough medicine and a narcotic analgesic. It is offered in the forms of syrup, capsules, and tablets. Hycodan is normally combined with non-opioid compounds like paracetamol or ibuprofen, which are less effective to discourage people from using them as a recreational drug or from abusing the drug.

In general Hycodan is available or offered only in combination of other ingredients and there are different applications based on what is combined with it. This is one of the controlled substances in the United States.

According to the combination with other ingredients and according to the manufacturer, the name of Hycodan are many including; Biocodone, Dicodid, Anexsia, Hycet, Hycomine, Hydrovo, Lorcet, Lortabe, Norco, Symtan, Vicodin, and so on.

Let us take a look at the functioning, effects, dos and don'ts of Hycodan.

How does Hycodan work?

Hycodan is a cough suppressant and is prescribed by doctors to keep cough under control when a person experiences extreme conditions of cough and related pain. It is also for moderate or severe pain conditions.

As a narcotic drug, Hycodan binds to the opioid receptors of the spinal cord and brain to relieve the pain. It is very effective to decrease pain and relieve cough but at the same time could cause mood changes and drowsiness along with mind clouding.

Medical Uses of Hycodan

Hycodan is a very active ingredient in most of the prescription medications and is mostly used to treat pain and at times to suppress severe cough. It can be used for a short-term pain control in situations like a dental procedure or a post-surgery pain; or for a long-term pain relief. Since this is a very high 'habit-forming' drug, physicians restrict the usage to the shortest period possible. There are people who have developed Hycodan addiction.

Dosage of Hycodan

Hycodan must be taken only under the prescription of a health practitioner and only as prescribed by the health practitioner. The dosage might vary based on various factors like:

  • The combination of Hycodan prescribed to you
  • Your response to the medicine (if you have allergic reaction)
  • Considering other medicines you are already prescribed for other reasons
  • Your medical condition in any other area

It is suggested to use the proper measuring device to measure the dosage of medicine each time it is taken, as increased dosage may create dependency on the drug. Even stopping the drug must be done only after the physician suggests.

Prior to Taking Hycodan Medication

There are certain health conditions, which have to be consulted or discussed with the doctor prior to taking Hycodan prescribed by the doctor. If one is already aware of allergic reactions to this particular drug, the doctor has to be kept informed. Also, there are other physical conditions under which this drug must not be administered. They include:

  • Breathing problems or asthma
  • Any history of brain tumor or head injury
  • Kidney problems
  • Stomach issues
  • Underactive thyroid
  • Pregnancy
  • Glaucoma
  • Alcoholism
  • Other drugs
  • Liver problems

Since Hycodan is a habit-forming drug, this must not be shared with anyone who is not prescribed with this. This drug is very harmful to the fetus of a pregnant woman and could even cause addiction and withdrawal symptoms in the newborn. Even when a woman is nursing her baby, this drug must not be taken, as it can pass to the baby through breast milk.

Neither kids nor old people are to use this drug without the doctor's advice.

Hycodan and its Side Effects

Side effects are not common or do not occur in all and in the rest, the side effects are quite less that it can be taken care by the physician. However, there are possibilities of this drug getting addictive with prolonged usage.

The side effects that are commonly found are:

  • Lethargy
  • Lightheadedness
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Constipation

Some of the serious side effects, which have to be reported and taken care of immediately, are:

  • Confusion
  • Fear or anxiety
  • Irregular or slow breathing
  • Difficulty in urination
  • No balance
  • Drowsiness
  • Allergic reaction
  • Wheezing
  • Itching or rashes
  • Hives
  • Swelling of mouth

Abuse of Hycodan

Hycodan with Alcohol: Both Hycodan and alcohol slow down the central nervous system and in turn the function of the brain. Since both have the same properties of causing depression in the respiratory system and infrequent breathing, it is too risky to combine both. Abusing both at the same time could lead to fatality. There are various side effects caused by this combination, which include drowsiness, memory problems, coordination issues, at times even passing out.

Addiction: Hycodan is a potential drug for addiction and abuse due to its narcotic effects. It is common among many who are prescribed and not prescribed this drug, as it can be easily accessed through various means and through Internet and are not very expensive.

Hycodan and Recreation: Many users report a sense of pleasure with high doses of Hycodan. This has lead to the abuse of this drug for various recreational purposes among several teenagers as well as adults, due to its availability and access.

Hycodan and Overdose: It is quite possible for people to take overdose of the drug either by mistake with the wrong measuring device or deliberately to get the high effects of the drug. However, high dose may have adverse effects. The following symptoms or conditions must be paid immediate attention, as they are symptoms of overdose of the drug:

  • Breathlessness
  • Extreme drowsiness, which may lead to coma
  • Cardiac arrest
  • Clammy and cold skin
  • Very low blood pressure
  • Loss of life
  • Immediate medical aid can save life.
  • Hycodan and Withdrawal

When a person abruptly stops taking Hycodan on his or her own, he or she might experience several withdrawal symptoms like sweating, insomnia, shakiness, shivering, diarrhea, Goosebumps pain, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, which are very unpleasant.

Summary

Though Hycodan is not available as a single ingredient and is only offered in combination with other less effective ingredients, it must be administered only when and as prescribed by the physician and must be stopped only when and as suggested by the physician for the best of its effects.