According to WebMD.com, the brand name medicine, Hycodan, contains two medications, homatropine and hydrocodone. Hydrocodone is a narcotic cough suppressant (antitussive) that works on centers in the brain and prevents the urge to cough. Homatropine, a member of the drug class anticholinergics, counteracts hydrocodone to prevent an overdose of Hycodan. Hycodan is used for the relief of dry coughs, and it can also be used for other conditions as directed by your doctor.
What Is Hycodan?
“Hycodan is used for the relief of dry coughs, and it can also be used for other conditions as directed by your doctor.”
According to a Federal Drug Administration (FDA) summary review for regulatory action, Endo Laboratories, Inc. was initially approved to manufacture hydrocodone for use as an antitussive by the name Hycodan in 1943. According to a supplement in the journal American Health & Drug Benefits, a subtherapeutic amount of homatropine methyl bromide was added later. The purpose of this added medicine was to prevent overdose or Hycodan overdose symptoms. The FDA also states that Endo Laboratories, Inc. subsequently discontinued marketing both the tablet and liquid form of Hycodan in 2008. Neither safety nor efficacy was the reason for the discontinuation.
WebMD.com states that Hycodan is not indicated for children younger than six years.
Drugs.com states that prior to using Hycodan, you should tell your doctor if you have any of the following:
- Allergic tendencies to homatropine or hydrocodone
- Pregnant or planning to become pregnant
- Breastfeeding
- Asthma or other breathing problems
- Liver or kidney disease
- Stomach problems
- Underactive thyroid
- Adrenal gland problems, such as Addison’s disease
- Enlarged prostrate or urination problems
- Glaucoma
- History of alcoholism or drug abuse
The supplement in the journal American Health & Drug Benefits states that the FDA had to adopt a risk-based approach to products containing hydrocodone, such as Hycodan, because of concerns over the number of medication errors that were associated with these formulations. The supplement also states that, between 1969 and 2005, there were more than 400 reports of serious adverse incidents that were attributed to products containing hydrocodone. Hydrocodone, as found in Hycodan, is a potentially addictive drug. If you feel that you may have an addiction to Hycodan, or you may know someone who may have an addiction to it, call for immediate assistance and addiction treatment options with this potentially dangerous situation.
Hycodan Side Effects
According to Drugs.com, if you experience any of the serious side effects of Hycodan, stop the taking the medication and call your doctor. The serious side effects of Hycodan include:
- Painful urination
- Urinating less than usual or not at all
- Extreme drowsiness or weakness
- Feeling like you may faint
- Weak or shallow breathing
- Feeling anxious or fearful
- Unusual thoughts or behavior
Overdose Signs
The FDA states that Hycodan overdose symptoms include:
- Shallow breathing
- Breathing that stops
- Fainting
- Extreme drowsiness progressing to stupor or coma
- Limp muscles
- Cold and clammy skin
- Slow, fast or irregular heart beat
- Low blood pressure
- Circulatory collapse
- Cardiac arrest
Hycodan overdose symptoms are very serious conditions in and of themselves. You need to seek immediate rehab or treatment if you experience any signs of an overdose on Hycodan. The FDA also states that a severe overdose can result in death. If you or someone you know may be taking more of the drug Hycodan than prescribed, or may be addicted, call now to avoid serious overdose symptoms.
According to the FDA, reestablishing sufficient respiratory exchange should be the primary focus in Hycodan overdose treatment. This can be accomplished through the use of assisted or controlled ventilation. Severe respiratory depression resulting from Hycodan overdose can be treated with the opioid antagonist naloxone hydrochloride. Naloxone hydrochloride is preferably administered intravenously and simultaneously with respiratory resuscitation efforts. Call us now to learn more about Hycodan detox and withdrawal treatment.
The FDA states that Hycodan overdose treatment can also include the following as needed:
- Oxygen
- Intravenous fluids
- Vasopressors
- Emptying the stomach to remove any unabsorbed Hycodan
- Other supportive measures
Taking more than the prescribed dosage of Hycodan or taking it when it is not prescribed to you can cause serious overdose symptoms. These Hycodan overdose symptoms can also have fatal consequences. If you feel you or someone you know has an addiction to Hycodan, getting help is the best way , call now for immediate assistance.
