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Hydrocodone overdose is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that can occur after ingesting too much hydrocodone.
Having a valid prescription for hydrocodone doesn't preclude the possibility of overdose.
Other common overdose situations result from intentional hydrocodone misuse either for recreational purposes or with the intent for self-harm.
Symptoms and Signs of Hydrocodone Overdose
Symptoms of an overdose occur in addition to the side effects commonly associated with opioid medications and may appear as more pronounced or severe degrees of those side effects.
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Signs of hydrocodone overdose include:
Difficulty breathing, including slowed or shallow breathing.
Respiratory arrest or stopped breathing that can lead to brain damage or death.
Unconsciousness.
Severe drowsiness or difficulty staying awake.
Very small or "pinpoint" pupils.
Sweating.
Clammy skin.
Nausea and vomiting.
Profound physical tiredness and weakness.
Medications containing hydrocodone are commonly combined with acetaminophen (Tylenol) which also carries a risk of overdose.
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Concurrent ingestion of hydrocodone with alcohol can drastically lower the threshold for experiencing acetaminophen toxicity.
Symptoms of acetaminophen overdose may not appear up to 12 or more hours after use and include:
Loss of appetite.
Abdominal pain.
Nausea and vomiting.
Diarrhea.
Severe liver damage.
Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin).
Coma.
Understanding the Causes of Hydrocodone Overdose
While overdose can happen to anyone who takes too much hydrocodone, there are certain populations who are at an increased risk.
Demographic risk factors identified in past research include males, non-Hispanic Whites, and those between the ages of 45-54 years old (different than the age range for heroin overdose).
Other known risk factors for hydrocodone overdose include:
Use of hydrocodone for chronic pain conditions, being prescribed higher doses, and having multiple or overlapping prescriptions for opioid medications.
Use of prescription sedatives such as benzodiazepines in conjunction with hydrocodone.
If you feel that you are overusing hydrocodone or are at risk of overdose, help is available.
Taking that first step and seeking help can be a difficult decision involving mixed feelings, including fear, anxiety, and embarrassment; but hope exists for a better future.
Getting help can begin today by calling
1-888-993-3112Who Answers? to speak confidentially with a treatment support team member about your recovery options.
When to Get Medical Help
If hydrocodone overdose is suspected or symptoms are present, it is absolutely necessary to seek emergency medical attention by calling 911 or the local emergency number.
A hydrocodone overdose cannot and should never be treated at home or without appropriate emergency care.
When seeking emergency care, try to:
Find as much information about the individual suspected of overdose as possible.
Locate the medication or container if available, or know the name and strength of the medication taken.
Determine the amount of hydrocodone ingested and the timeframe between dose and presentation of symptoms.
Determine if the medication was prescribed to the individual
Find a treatment center to help you with your Hydrocodone addiction.[/cta]Another source of information about hydrocodone overdose is the National Poison Control Center, available at 1-800-222-1222.
When more than the prescribed amount of hydrocodone was taken.
To learn about hydrocodone overdose and prevention.
Again, an overdose is a life-threatening emergency and 911 should be contacted immediately if symptoms are present.
How to Avoid an Overdose
Medications that contain hydrocodone are intended for use only by the patient for whom they are prescribed.
Individuals who are prescribed hydrocodone medications should strictly adhere to the dosing regimen prescribed by their doctor and should not allow others to use them whether for pain relief or recreational purposes.
One can learn about the risks involved with using hydrocodone by asking their doctor and reporting any serious side effects experienced when using hydrocodone.
Patients should not attempt to increase the dose of hydrocodone in the event that the prescribed
dose does not provide adequate pain relief.
Those who experience chronic or severe pain are at greater risk for overdose due to the potential of exceeding the amount prescribed, and concerns about medication strength or effectiveness should be expressed to a doctor.
Hydrocodone should never be taken for recreational purposes or to get "high" which also increases the risk of overdose.
Consuming alcohol and other drugs when using hydrocodone may also increase the risk of overdose (and, additionally increases the risk of acetaminophen toxicity).
Hydrocodone Overdose Treatment
Due to the dangers of respiratory arrest, restoring oxygen supply through CPR, ventilator, or by reversing respiratory symptoms with medication is the first priority.
Increased awareness of opioid overdose nationwide has led to the use of "opioid overdose toolkits" by first responders and other medical professionals.
These toolkits provide instruction for emergency treatment and include naloxone--an opioid antagonist medication that is administered by injection and:
Reverses the symptoms of an overdose.
Prevents brain damage and death from respiratory arrest.
Having a valid prescription for hydrocodone doesn't preclude the possibility of overdose.
At the emergency room, treatment may include:
Additional supply of oxygen.
Gastric suction or "stomach pumping."
Use of activated charcoal inside the stomach:
Absorbs the drugs ingested.
Prevents further absorption and damage.
Medications:
Prevents or reduces acetaminophen poisoning.
Emergency room personnel will continue to monitor symptoms of overdose with appropriate therapies until the risk of severe and permanent harm and death has reduced.
If acetaminophen toxicity is suspected, an 'antidote' medication called Mucomyst (acetylcysteine) can be administered to mitigate the extent of liver damage.
Recovering from Hydrocodone Overdose
Recovery from a hydrocodone overdose depends on the amount of medication taken and how soon medical attention is received.
Rapid reversal of symptoms, particularly respiratory arrest, lowers the potential for permanent damage and an individual may return to normal functioning within a few days if the overdose was treated in time.
Hydrocodone overdose cannot be treated without proper emergency medical care.In cases of opioid medication abuse or dependence there is help available following an overdose in the form of:
Detox facilities.
Residential programs.
Outpatient treatment.
Self-help programs.
Remember that hydrocodone overdose cannot be treated without proper emergency medical care and to always contact 911 or the local emergency number if an overdose is suspected.
An overdose can be very traumatic and leave you with many questions about what happens next.
If you feel that you may be overusing hydrocodone or you are unable to stop using, help is available. Contact
1-888-993-3112Who Answers? today for treatment information and to started on the path to recovery.
References
Boyer, E. W. (2012). Management of Opioid Analgesic Overdose. The New England Journal of Medicine, 367(2), 146-155. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1202561. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3739053/.
National Institutes of Health (2014). Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen Overdose. Medline Plus, U.S National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002670.htm
Paulozzi, L. (2012). Populations at Risk of Opioid Overdose. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/NewsEvents/UCM300859.pdf
Paulozzi, L. J., Kilbourne, E. M., Shah, N. G., Nolte, K. B., Desai, H. A., Landen, M. G., & ... Loring, L. D. (2012). A history of being prescribed controlled substances and risk of drug overdose death. Pain Medicine (Malden, Mass.), 13(1), 87-95. doi:10.1111/j.1526-4637.2011.01260.x. Retrieved from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com.mutex.gmu.edu/doi/10.1111/j.1526-4637.2011.01260.x/abstract;jsessionid=EFC0C7FAF493EA0AB61B7822F37E280D.f02t04
Wisniewski, A. M., Purdy, C. H., & Blondell, R. D. (2008). The epidemiologic association between opioid prescribing, non-medical use, and emergency department visits. Journal of Addictive Diseases, 27(1), 1-11. doi:10.1300/J069v27n01_01. Retrieved from http://www.tandfonline.com.mutex.gmu.edu/doi/pdf/10.1300/J069v27n01_01
World Health Organization (2014). Information Sheet on Opioid Overdose. Management of Substance Abuse. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/substance_abuse/information-sheet/en/
Yang, Z., Wilsey, B., Bohm, M., Weyrich, M., Roy, K., Ritley, D., & ... Melnikow, J. (2015). Defining risk of prescription opioid overdose: pharmacy shopping and overlapping prescriptions among long-term opioid users in medicaid. The Journal Of Pain: Official Journal Of The American Pain Society, 16(5), 445-453. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2015.01.475. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com.mutex.gmu.edu/science/article/pii/S1526590015005301
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