Synthetic opioid hydrocodone and cough remedy

Hydrocodone is what is known as a synthetic opioid. That is, an opioid that instead of obtaining through opium itself, is obtained in a laboratory, where a molecule of a natural opioid occurs, with some variations. Today we tell you everything you should know about hydrocodone.

Content

• What is hydrocodone?
• What are its side effects and contraindications?
• About its recreational uses
• Hydrocodone regulation
  • Bibliographic references

What is hydrocodone?

Hydrocodone is a narcotic analgesic medication used to treat moderate to intense pain. It is a semi -synthetic opioceous that derives from codeine and is usually prescribed to treat chronic and acute pain, such as back pain, dental pain and pain after surgery.

Hydrocodone acts in the central nervous system to relieve pain by joining opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord. It can also produce a sense of euphoria and relaxation, which can lead to improper use and abuse.

As we said, hydrocodone is a substance derived from codeine, and therefore it is an opioid. Generally, it is used as an analgesic orally to reduce pains that go from moderate to severe, but it is also used to mitigate cough.

Its presentation varies quite a lot, being able to find it both in pills, as in syrup, as in capsules. In addition, it is in the market under a large number of different trademarks.

In the US it is a medicine that can be used since 1943, although, since 2014, it was included in the classification II of the Law of Controlled Substances. This means that, Give the high potential for abuse that implies, its medical use is strongly restricted. Various studies have shown that hydrocodone is more powerful than codeine. However, it is slightly lower than morphine, having only 96% of its analgesic power.

What are its side effects and contraindications?

Hydrocodone can be dangerous both for the side effects and contraindications that it has, as for the dangers of combining it with other substances. For example, combining hydrocodone with alcohol, cocaine, amphetamines or barbiturates can cause heart, pulmonary and renal failures, in addition to heart attacks, jaundice, amnesia, coma or even death.

Of course, It also has a strong addictive potential (which is why it has been included in the list of prohibited and strongly controlled drugs in the medical field), although this has not been sufficient to stop its use in the US.

As for side effects, we can find the tiredness, pruritus, dizziness, nausea, constipation, vomiting and euphoria. In some cases, in addition, serious respiratory problems can occur, which require immediate medical attention.

So, as you can see, consuming hydrocodone can be dangerous, which is why it is important that its consumption is reduced (or more preferably, non -existent). And of course, It is convenient to know these effects to act quickly if they occur.

About its recreational uses

Since hydrocodone has the vast majority of the effects of other opioids (such as heroin, for example), in recent times It has become a recreational drug widely used in the US with oxycodone.

It is a drug that generates satisfaction and euphoria, in addition to different pleasant sensations in the body. There are also different effects of heroin, but with simpler access to consumption.

However, it should be noted that Addiction to this drug in most cases has iatrogenic causes (That is, it originates when you prescribe this substance to treat medical problems).

In recent times, many pharmaceuticals have begun to include paracetamol in their products with hydrocodone, so that the risk of death increases substantially (consuming paracetamol in the same way that hydrocodone can be dangerous and also generates less positive sensations).

However, a good part of the users ignore this danger, and also the paracetamol can be removed by a simple chemical process in the kitchen (the paracetamol is hydrosolble, while hydrocodone is not).

Finally, it is convenient to mention another potential danger to take paracetamol with hydrocodone: Paracetamol can generate a serious hepatotoxicity picture If between 10 and 15 grams are consumed in less than 24 hours, and from 15 grams, it can cause death.

This linked to the fact that many hydrocodone consumers do not know that their drug also contains paracetamol, can cause more damage than is intended to be resolved.

Hydrocodone regulation

As we have already said, hydrocodone is under Classification II of the US Controlled Substances Law. For a drug to be under this epigraph, you must have a High potential for abuse, You have to have accepted medical use and its use can lead to severe physical or psychological dependence.

This is a type of drugs that can only be obtained by means of medical prescription, and its production and distribution is controlled and monitored by the DEA.

Of course, this way of organizing substances has been widely criticized by experts (for example, fentanyl is 80 times more powerful than morphine, and both are in this same epigraph). However, It serves to guide us and give good account that hydrocodone is a very powerful drug.

Unfortunately, the Hydrocodone It is a really strong drug, and in recent times it is causing an authentic epidemic in the United States (along with other opioids). We hope this information has been useful for you and you will take the most out.

Bibliographic references

• Brogden, r. N., & Heel, r. C. (2018). Human pharmacology. Madrid: Elsevier Spain.
• Greenberg, d. L., Pipino, a. J., Kao, m. C., & Sessler, D. Yo. (2019). Efficacy and Safety of Hydrocodone in Treatment of Chronic Nanca Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 57 (1), 5-21.
• Jiménez Murillo, L. M., & García-Salido, to. (2019). Treaty of anesthesiology and resuscitation. Madrid: Panamerican Medical.
• Devane, c. L., & Liston, H. L. (2018). Pharmacokinetics of Hydrocodone and ITS Metabolites in Special Population. Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 58 (7), 836-842.
• Velázquez, a., & Carbajal, D. (2017). Basic and clinical pharmacology. Mexico: McGraw-Hill Education.