Hydrocodone is considered a narcotic pain reliever. Any drugs that fall under this class need careful monitoring because they are highly addictive. Although effective at relieving pain, there are a slew of side effects that accompany these drugs; side effects you should be aware of before using them as your chosen treatment.
Common Side Effects
According to eMedTV.com, the most common side effects associated with hydrocodone include feeling lightheaded, drowsy or dizzy. You may also experience nausea, vomiting and constipation. According to the professionals at iGuard.org, a website currently monitoring more than 13,000 people using hydrocodone, 44 percent of those being monitored report experiencing these side effects. Seven percent report experiencing more significant side effects.
Serious Side Effects
There are more-serious side effects that also accompany hydrocodone; side effects that you should alert your doctor to if you experience them, Drugs.com recommends. These include the desire to take more of your medication than is prescribed (signs of addiction), anxiety, fear, slower breathing, problems urinating, extreme drowsiness (feeling overly sedated), low blood pressure, losing your balance or coordination and feeling confused.
Signs of Overdose
Overdosing on hydrocodone is not only possible, it can be fatal. According to the experts at Drugs.com, signs that you have taken too much medication include profuse sweating, nausea, vomiting, small pupils, fainting, having a weak pulse, dark urine, cold or blue lips, muscle weakness, shallow breathing and loss of consciousness.
Signs of Allergic Reaction
If you are allergic to hydrocodone, you will experience one or all of the following: hives, itching, difficulty breathing, swelling of your lips, throat or tongue, wheezing and an unexplained rash. Seek emergency medical assistance if any of these signs or side effects pertain to you.
Side Effects of Acetaminophen
According to both Drugs.com and eMedTV, hydrocodone and acetaminophen often accompany one another. This is why it's important to know the possible side effects of acetaminophen alone. While the following typically do not occur unless you have taken too much of this medication, it is still possible to suffer from them. They include nausea, vomiting, profuse perspiration, becoming irritable, jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes), kidney failure, loss of consciousness, loss of appetite, diarrhea, liver failure, problems with your heart and seizures.
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