The euphoria, anxiety suppression and pain relief effects appear to stem from the way in which opioids mimic endogenous endorphins. Endorphins are responsible for analgesia (reducing pain), causing sleepiness, and feelings of pleasure. They can be released in response to pain, strenuous exercise, orgasm, or excitement. This mimicking of natural endorphins results in the drug's effects.
It acts primarily on μ-opioid receptors, with about six times lesser affinity to δ-opioid receptors.
In the liver, hydrocodone is transformed into several metabolites. It has a serum half-life that averages 3.8 hours. The hepatic cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP2D6 converts it into hydromorphone, a more potent opioid.
Taking hydrocodone with grapefruit juice may enhance its psychoactive effects. It is hypothesized that the CYP3A4 inhibitors in grapefruit juice may interfere with the metabolism of hydrocodone, although there has been no research into this issue.
Hydrocodone has not been shown to be toxic and is physically benign at reasonable dosages. As with all opioids, long-term effects can vary but can include diminished libido, apathy and memory loss. Some people may also have an allergic reaction to hydrocodone, such as the swelling of skin and rashes.potentially fatal at heavy dosages.
Like most opioids, unadulterated hydrocodone at appropriate dosages does not cause many long-term complications other than dependence and constipation. Outside of the extremely powerful addiction and physical dependence, the harmful or toxic aspects of opioid usage are exclusively associated with not taking the necessary precautions in regards to its administration, overdosing and using impure products. Hydrocodone commonly being mixed with acetaminophen (paracetamol) however can complicate the drug’s safety profile due to acetaminophen’s toxicity on the liver.
Heavy dosages of hydrocodone can result in respiratory depression, leading onto fatal or dangerous levels of anoxia (oxygen deprivation). This occurs because the breathing reflex is suppressed by agonism of µ-opioid receptors proportional to the dosage consumed. When hydrocodone is paired with acetaminophen however (as is the case with many pharmaceutical preparations of hydrocodone), liver toxicity or even acute liver failure becomes a significant risk, especially if mixed with alcohol; on top of hydrocodone and alcohol’s already heightened risk for possibly inducing dangerous levels of respiratory depression.
Hydrocodone (on its own) can also cause nausea and vomiting; a significant number of deaths attributed to opioid overdose are caused by aspiration of vomit by an unconscious victim. This is when an unconscious or semi-conscious user who is lying on their back vomits into their mouth and unknowingly suffocates. It can be prevented by ensuring that one is lying on their side with their head tilted downwards so that the airways cannot be blocked in the event of vomiting while unconscious (also known as the recovery position). In case of overdose, it is advised to administer a dose of naloxone intravenously or intramuscularly to reverse the effects of opioid agonism.
It is strongly recommended that one use harm reduction practices when using this drug.
As with other opiate-based painkillers,moderately addictive and is capable of causing both physical and psychological dependence. When physical dependence has developed, withdrawal symptoms may occur if a person suddenly stops their usage. Most of these symptoms (like with other opioids) are somatic in their manifestation.with prolonged use, including therapeutic effects. This results in users having to administer increasingly large doses to achieve the same effects. The rate at which this occurs develops at different rates for different effects with tolerance to the constipation-inducing effects developing particularly slowly. After that,3 - 71 - 2 weeks to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption). Hydrocodone presents cross-tolerance with Cross-all opioids, meaning that after the consumption of hydrocodone all opioids will have a reduced effect.
The risk of fatal opioid overdoses rise sharply after a period of cessation and relapse, largely because of reduced tolerance. To account for this lack of tolerance, it is safer to only dose a fraction of one's usual dosage if relapsing. It has also been found that the environment in which one uses the substance can play a role in opioid tolerance. In one scientific study, rats with the same history of heroin administration were significantly more likely to die after receiving their dose in an environment not associated with the drug in contrast to a familiar environment.
Australia:** Hydrocodone is a Schedule 8 (S8) or controlled drug.
Austria:** Hydrocodone is regulated in Austria in the same fashion as in Germany (see below) under the Austrian Suchtmittelgesetz (SMG). Since 2002, it has been available in the form of German products and those produced elsewhere in the European Union under Article 76 of the Schengen Treaty.
Belgium:** Hydrocodone is no longer available for medical use.
Canada:** Hydrocodone is a Schedule I controlled substance and is available by prescription only. Hydrocodone is prescribed alone as well as in proprietary combinations, typically with an NSAID or paracetamol.
France:** Hydrocodone is no longer available for medical use. Hydrocodone is a prohibited narcotic.
Germany:** Hydrocodone is a controlled substance under Anlage III of the BtMG. It can only be prescribed on a narcotic prescription form.
Luxembourg:** - Hydrocodone is available by prescription under the name Biocodone. Prescriptions are more commonly given for use as a cough suppressant (antitussive) rather than for pain relief (analgesic).
The Netherlands:** Hydrocodone is not available for medical use and is classified as a List 1 drug under the Opium Law.
Russia:** Hydrocodone is a Schedule I controlled substance.
Sweden:** Hydrocodone is no longer available for medical use in Sweden. The last remaining formula was deregistered in 1967.
Switzerland: Hydrocodone is a controlled substance specifically named under Verzeichnis A. Medicinal use is permitted.
United Kingdom:** Hydrocodone is not available for medical use and is listed as a Class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Various formulations of dihydrocodeine, a weaker opioid, are frequently used as an alternative.
United States:** As of October 6, 2014, all hydrocodone products are now designated as Schedule II controlled substances. They are no longer Schedule III narcotics. Prescriptions can no longer have refills and a handwritten paper script must be obtained for each fill.
Responsible use
Opioid
Codeine
Dihydrocodeine
Oxycodone
Heroin
Hydrocodone (Wikipedia)
Hydrocodone (Erowid Vault)
Hydrocodone (Isomer Design)
Hydrocodone (DrugBank)
Hydrocodone (Drugs.com)
Hydrocodone can be administered via oral. The route of administration can influence both the onset and intensity of nausea.