A pain medication, hydrocodone relieves symptoms by binding to opioid receptors in the brain. Patients typically take a combination of hydrocodone and another drug, such as acetaminophen. MedlinePlus explains that patients can take short-acting versions, which they take every four to six hours, or long-acting versions, which they take every 12 hours. When a person stops taking hydrocodone, they can have withdrawal symptoms.
Use of Hydrocodone
Patients get hydrocodone for moderate to severe pain through a prescription from their doctors. When taking hydrocodone, MedlinePlus notes that users should follow a regular schedule and take only the amount their doctors recommend. Missing a dose may result in withdrawal. Patients using long-acting versions of hydrocodone need to be careful when taking their medication. For example, if they break the tablet, too much hydrocodone enters into their body at one time, which can result in an overdose.
Physical Dependence
Kristi Monson, PharmD, and Arthur Schoenstadt, MD, authors of the eMedTV article "Hydrocodone," explain that hydrocodone has a high risk of physical dependence. Physical dependence occurs in people who take hydrocodone for medical purposes and in people who abuse hydrocodone. This occurs when the body relies on hydrocodone to function, leading people to experience withdrawal symptoms.
Withdrawal Symptoms
Hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms can make people feel ill. Monson and Schoenstadt note that in the eMedTV article "Hydrocodone Withdrawal Symptoms" that none of the withdrawal symptoms put users' lives at risk. For example, people can experience sweating, runny nose, nausea, shivering, shakiness and diarrhea during withdrawal. People can also have cravings for hydrocodone. Other withdrawal symptoms include insomnia, goosebumps, anxiety and pain.
Preventing Withdrawal
Patients can take certain precautions to prevent hydrocodone withdrawal. For example, Monson and Schoenstadt point out that patients should wean off hydrocodone instead of stopping the drug suddenly. Patients should also not stop taking hydrocodone on their own. If they want to come off hydrocodone, they need to talk to their doctors first.
Difference From Addiction
While people who abuse hydrocodone can also experience hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms, it is not the same as people using the drug for purely medical purposes. The withdrawal symptoms result as part of the body's response to the drug. With patients, the withdrawal symptoms can occur when they miss too many doses or try to come off the medication too quickly. With hydrocodone abusers, they take large amounts of the drug, then have the withdrawal symptoms when the drug wears off. Monson and Schoenstadt explains that patients should not be embarrassed if they have withdrawal symptoms and should talk to their doctors if they need help.
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