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-Mar-20 5:56 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-19 9:03 PM
Other Names
- Hydrocodone
- Hydrocodone Bitartrate
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 03 May 1982
- Est US Patients*
- 2,278,000
- 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 15,100 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% | 
|
| Back/Neck Pain | 36% |
|
| Osteoarthritis | 16% | 
|
| Migraine/Headache | 11% |
|
| Fibromyalgia | 8% |
|
| Rheumatoid Arthritis | 8% |
|
| Other | 15% | 
|
How well does Hydrocodone work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 15,100 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 15,100 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 signifcant 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 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
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
Question/Comment:
Has anyone developed ear ringing or ear noises with this- and has it lowered your hearing- please let me know and if so - what combination of meds do you take with it- ?
54 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-25 13:54:52
Question/Comment:
I have been using Hydrocodone 5/500 for several years as prescribed by my neurologist and found that over all it does relieve about 70% of the pain. I do not believe that I will ever have full pain relief as I have multiple areas of back and pelvic pain that have been on going daily for the past 20+ years. The side effects, I do not like, are nausea, dizziness and drowsiness but you have to take the good with the bad. Thank godness it does not last all that long and I feel that any pain relief is better than nothing since I have tried other medications that gave me little or no relief.
63 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-15 01:46:50
Answer/Reply:
I too have been taking Hydrocodone but I take the 10/325 for pain from having my knee replaced 2x's and the other one with bone spurs. Hydrocodone is the only thing that will take the pain away. The side effects that I have noticed are that it makes me a little agitated or increases my fear in some situations, and makes me a little hyper. I have been taking it off and on for over 10yrs and make sure I get a liver test done yearly. I have stopped taking them for months at a time with out issue, and then when my knee starts hurting again, I start back on them. I am a 56yr old female and I too have tried many different kinds of meds for the pain and that is the only one that makes a significant difference. I have now found that they are going to stop selling them in Tx and I just hope they can find some thing for pain that works as well.
56 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-21 09:53:52
Answer/Reply:
I am a 58 yr. old male that's been taking hydrocodone 10/650 for last 10 yrs. At first I was taking 6 a day for back surgery ( 4 ). I am now taking 3 a day and it keeps the pain at a tolable level. I have to see my pain management Dr. every 6 months. I have to drive 110 miles to see him.
Where did you here or see that they are going to stop selling this drug in TX. It's really the only thing that has helped with my pain. I haven't tried oxycontin.
Thanks Ronald J.
twyntoo@sbcglobal.net
58 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-12-21 21:01:00
iGuard Answer/Reply:
In June, an advisory panel to the FDA voted to recommend removing from the market any pain relievers that contain a narcotic and acetaminophen. The FDA is not obligated to follow the recommendation. The other recommendation is to only allow combinations that contain lower doses of acetaminophen. This recommendation is based on the number of acetaminophen overdoses, which lead to liver toxicity and liver failure. At this time, the FDA has not made a final decision about how to proceed with these marketed narcotic and acetaminophen containing products.
Posted: 2009-12-23 23:01:05
Answer/Reply:
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Your Friend- LEON
64 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-23 22:01:09
Answer/Reply:
I was taking 7.5/200 hydrocodone for about 4 years, and then went to pain management and now they have me on 10/350 hydrocodone. I agree with you that it helps very much with the pain, and I do not have any side effects, in fact it gives me energy and gets me going, it allows me to function during my day. I have scoliosis with a steel rod attached to my spine and arthritis and fibromyalgia throughout my whole body. I tried oxycodone and it was way too strong for me and the side effects were unbearable.
53 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-28 16:53:58
Question/Comment:
I have been taking Hydrocodone for a several years now and I have never had a problem. It has worked great for my pain. The only thing that bothers me is that if I don't take them I do get a little moody so I do beleive that they are addicting. Be careful when taking this drug. God bless.
31 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-06-28 21:01:15
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115
Patient Comments about
Hydrocodone