Hydrocodone Dosage Guide

fatal at heavy dosages. Like most opioids, unadulterated hydrocodone at appropriate dosages does not cause many long-term complications other than dependence and constipation. Outside of the extremely powerful addiction and physical dependence, the harmful or toxic aspects of opioid usage are exclusively associated with not taking the necessary precautions in regards to its administration, overdosing and using impure products. Hydrocodone commonly being mixed with acetaminophen (paracetamol) however can complicate the drug’s safety profile due to acetaminophen’s toxicity on the liver. Heavy dosages of hydrocodone can result in respiratory depression, leading onto fatal or dangerous levels of anoxia (oxygen deprivation). This occurs because the breathing reflex is suppressed by agonism of µ-opioid receptors proportional to the dosage consumed. When hydrocodone is paired with acetaminophen however (as is the case with many pharmaceutical preparations of hydrocodone), liver toxicity or even acute liver failure becomes a significant risk, especially if mixed with alcohol; on top of hydrocodone and alcohol’s already heightened risk for possibly inducing dangerous levels of respiratory depression. Hydrocodone (on its own) can also cause nausea and vomiting; a significant number of deaths attributed to opioid overdose are caused by aspiration of vomit by an unconscious victim. This is when an unconscious or semi-conscious user who is lying on their back vomits into their mouth and unknowingly suffocates. It can be prevented by ensuring that one is lying on their side with their head tilted downwards so that the airways cannot be blocked in the event of vomiting while unconscious (also known as the recovery position). In case of overdose, it is advised to administer a dose of naloxone intravenously or intramuscularly to reverse the effects of opioid agonism. It is strongly recommended that one use harm reduction practices when using this drug. - Dependence and abuse potentia