Lortab
Hydrocodone |
18) Information on
Lortab
Drug Facts: Lortab Hydrocodone or dihydrocodeinone (marketed as
Vicodin, Anexsia, Dicodid, Hycodan, Hycomine, Lorcet, Lortab, Norco, Tussionex,
Vicoprofen) is an opioid derived from either of the naturally occurring opiates
codeine or thebaine. Hydrocodone is also an antitussive (cough suppressant) and
analgesic agent for the treatment of moderate to moderately severe pain.
Studies indicate that hydrocodone is as effective, or more effective, than
codeine for cough suppression and nearly equipotent to morphine for pain
relief.
Hydrocodone is the most frequently prescribed
opiate in the United States with nearly 130 million prescriptions for
hydrocodone-containing products dispensed in 2006. There are several hundred
brand name and generic hydrocodone products marketed.
Hydrocodone diversion and abuse has been escalating in recent
years. In 2006, hydrocodone was the most frequently encountered opioid
pharmaceutical in drug evidence submitted to the National Forensic Laboratory
Information System (NFLIS) with 25,136 exhibits; the System to Retrieve
Investigational Drug Evidence (STRIDE) analyzed 654 exhibits in 2006. In the
2005 Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) combination products were associated
with more emergency room visits than any other pharmaceutical opioid with an
estimated 51,225 emergency room visits. Poison control data, medical examiners'
reports, and treatment center data all indicate that the abuse of hydrocodone
is associated with significant public health risks, including a substantial
number of deaths.
As a
narcotic, hydrocodone relieves pain by binding to opioid receptors in the brain
and spinal cord. It may be taken with or without food, but should never be
combined with alcohol. It may interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, as
well as other drugs that cause drowsiness. It is in FDA pregnancy category C:
its effect on an unborn embryo or fetus is not clearly known and pregnant women
should consult their physicians before taking it. Common side effects include
dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, drowsiness, euphoria, vomiting, and
constipation. Some less common side effects are allergic reaction, blood
disorders, changes in mood, mental fogginess, anxiety, lethargy, difficulty
urinating, spasm of the ureter, irregular or depressed respiration and rash.
The presence of acetaminophen in hydrocodone-containing products
deters many drug users from taking excessive amounts. However, some users will
get around this by extracting a portion of the acetaminophen using hot/cold
water, taking advantage of the water-soluble element of the drug. It is not
uncommon for addicts to have liver problems from taking excessive amounts of
acetaminophen over a long period of time--taking 10-15 grams of acetaminophen
in a period of 24 hours typically results in severe hepatotoxicity (toxic
damage to the liver). It is this factor that leads many addicts to use only
single entity opiates such as OxyContin.
Effects:
Hydrocodone in an analgesic and antitussive agent structurally similar to
codeine but with effects more similar to morphine.
Hydrocodone is abused for its opioid effects.
Widespread diversion via bogus call-in prescriptions, altered prescriptions,
theft and illicit purchases from Internet sources are made easier by the
present controls placed on hydrocodone products. Hydrocodone pills are the most
frequently encountered dosage form in illicit traffic. Hydrocodone is generally
abused orally, often in combination with alcohol.
As with most
opiates, abuse of hydrocodone is associated with tolerance, dependence, and
addiction. The co-formulation with acetaminophen carries an additional risk of
liver toxicity when high, acute doses are consumed. Data suggests that some
individuals who abuse very high doses of acetaminophen-containing hydrocodone
products may be spared this liver toxicity if they have been chronically taking
these products and have escalated their dose slowly over a long period of time.
Street Names: Vikes, Hydro, Norco,
Watson-387
Mode of Use : The combination of
acetaminophen and hydrocodone comes as a tablet, capsule, and liquid to take by
mouth.
Symptoms of hydrocodone overdose include:
- respiratory depression
- extreme somnolence (sleepiness,drowsiness)
- stupor
- cold and/or clammy skin
- sometimes bradycardia (slow heartbeat)- hypotension -
coma
A severe overdose may involve circulatory collapse, cardiac
arrest and/or death.
Rehabilitation:
Successful rehabilitation includes a calm, stress free environment, plenty
of liquids, and replenishing of vitamins that have been burned out of the body.
Use of a mild sedative to help sleep is often helpful, as the lack of sleep is
what can cause the hallucinations. After feeling physically better, proper
rehabilitation therapy can commence that deals with relapse prevention, dealing
with the reasons the addict turned to drugs in the first place, and any
personal failings that need strengthening. It is highly recommended that a
daily routine of proper exercise, nutrition, and rest be followed as effective
relapse and craving prevention. Ideally a cleansing program would be also
administered to help rid the body of the residual toxins that can impair health
in the future and cause cravings.
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