Safely getting off a long-term drug habit takes a village — a team of caring doctors and clinicians who will work with you one-on-one to see you through the detox and inpatient treatment process. Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children, and in a location that is not easily accessible by others, including visitors to the home. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). You must immediately dispose of any medication that is outdated or no longer needed through a medicine take-back program.. If you do not have a take-back program nearby or one that you can access promptly, flush any hydrocodone tablets or capsules that are outdated or no longer needed down the toilet. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
When this system is depressed, your heart rate and breathing can slow to extremely dangerous levels, increasing the likelihood of unconsciousness and coma. With Vicodin or hydrocodone, the opioid depresses or slows the brain’s functioning which results in slower breathing and heart rate. But, when the CNS slows too much, overdose and other dangerous health consequences can result. This is especially true when opioids are mixed with alcohol, another CNS depressant. Ultimately, Vicodin or other hydrocodone-based medications should only be treated as short-term solutions. In closing, combining alcohol with certain medications, particularly those with sedative effects, can increase the risk of adverse events, including falls, driving accidents, and fatal overdoses.
Swallow the extended-release capsules or extended-release tablets one at a time with plenty of water. Swallow each capsule or tablet as soon as you put it in your mouth. Do not presoak, wet, or lick the extended-release tablets before you put them in your mouth. Using too much of this medicine may cause infertility (unable to have children). Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children. Using this medicine while you are pregnant may cause neonatal withdrawal syndrome in your newborn babies.
Many people have no trouble with having a couple of drinks as they would otherwise while taking painkillers. To learn more about treatment options for polysubstance use, insurance verification, payment options, and more, contact an admissions navigator at . No matter what substances or mental health conditions you’re battling, AAC can help you take your first steps toward recovery today. Hydrocodone is used to relieve pain in opioid-tolerant patients severe enough to require around-the-clock pain relief for a long period of time.
- This medication can block the effects of opioids, which may relieve some of the symptoms of overdose.
- Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- We encourage our patients to use all of the resources we provide, including counseling, to keep them on track.
- Just one dose can cause death in someone using this medicine accidentally or improperly.
- Nowadays, there are opioid reversal drugs that directly counteract opioids and can be administered relatively easily.
- Both drugs are depressants, which inhibit your central nervous system.
Hydrocodone belongs to the group of medicines called opioid analgesics (pain medicines). Just one dose can cause Is marijuana addictive National Institute on Drug Abuse NIDA death in someone using this medicine accidentally or improperly. Ask your pharmacist where to locate a drug take-back disposal program. If there is no take-back program, flush the unused medicine down the toilet. Do not stop using this medicine suddenly after long-term use, or you could have serious withdrawal symptoms. Never use this medicine in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed.
However, some unseen risks or events may occur after the initial euphoria wears off. Using both drugs together not only causes a person to be more drowsy and dizzy but also increases their risk of overdosing from either drug. When hydrocodone and alcohol are taken together, the side effects of each are magnified. Both of these substances are CNS depressants that slow your breathing and heart rate and reduce your cough reflex.
Why is this medication prescribed?
One of the organs most intensely affected by these substances is the liver. However, mixed substances can lead to acute liver damage, allowing unfiltered toxins to build up in the bloodstream. Although the liver is a regenerative organ, repeated damage can cause permanent damage, requiring extensive medical intervention.
Side Effects
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. If you’re concerned that the co-abuse of alcohol and Norco is impacting your health, or that of someone close to you, substance abuse treatment programs can help.
Effects of Hydrocodone and Alcohol?
Consuming painkillers and alcohol together produces sedative effects, causing people to feel extremely tired. Our state-specific resource guides offer a comprehensive overview of drug and alcohol addiction treatment options available in your area. No matter how long you’ve been taking hydrocodone and alcohol, you’re never far from hope. Healing can start with contacting us.CallThe Recovery Village today to talk with a representative about your options for treatment and start on the path to drug-free living. If you or a loved one have been abusing hydrocodone and alcohol, know that you are not alone and that recovery is achievable. However, attempting todetoxon your own can be calamitous and will likely land you right back where you started.
According to the World Health Organization, about 115,000 people died of an opioid overdose in 2017. Increased preventative measures like education and family communication can lead to lower levels of substance abuse in teens, including those of prescription opioids and alcohol. If you’re prescribed hydrocodone, the best course of action is to take it exactly as advised by your medical provider. Drinking water with your pill is the safest way to ensure you do not have adverse reactions to the medicine.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine. The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding.