Health Library

Hydrocodone (By mouth)

Hydrocodone Bitartrate (hye-droe-KOE-done bye-TAR-trate)

Treats severe pain. This medicine is an opioid pain reliever.

Brand Name(s):

Hysingla ER

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Long Acting Capsule, Long Acting Tablet

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you. Take this medicine at the same time each day.
• An overdose can be dangerous. Follow directions carefully so you do not get too much medicine at one time. Your doctor may also give naloxone to treat an overdose. Naloxone is a medicine that temporarily reverses the effects of an overdose. If you have been prescribed naloxone, make sure household members know how to use this on you in the event of an overdose or suspected overdose. Emergency medical attention is still needed after naloxone is used because the reversal effects are only temporary.
• Swallow the extended-release capsule whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
• Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it. Do not pre-soak, lick, or wet the tablet before you place it in your mouth.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
• Missed dose: If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as usual. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Store the medicine in a safe and secure place. Drop off any unused opioid medicine at a drug take-back location right away. If you do not have a drug take-back location near you, flush any unused opioid medicine down the toilet. Check your local drug store and clinics for take-back locations. You can also check the DEA web site for locations. Here is the link to the FDA safe disposal of medicines website: www.fda.gov/drugs/resourcesforyou/consumers/buyingusingmedicinesafely/ensuringsafeuseofmedicine/safedisposalofmedicines/ucm186187.htm

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Do not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor within the past 14 days.
• Some medicines can affect how hydrocodone works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
  • Carbamazepine, erythromycin, ketoconazole, lactulose, mirtazapine, phenytoin, rifampin, ritonavir, tramadol, trazodone
  • Benzodiazepine medicine
  • Diuretic (water pill)
  • Medicine to treat depression or mental health problems (including SNRIs, SSRIs, TCAs)
  • Phenothiazine medicine
  • Triptan medicine to treat migraine headaches
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine. Do not take any medicine that contains alcohol.
• Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol. Tell your doctor if you are also using buprenorphine, butorphanol, nalbuphine, pentazocine, or a muscle relaxer (including cyclobenzaprine, metaxalone).

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, breathing or lung problems (including apnea), heart failure, heart rhythm problems (including congenital long QT syndrome, slow heartbeat), adrenal problems, digestion problems, pancreas problems, or a history of depression, head injury, seizures, or drug or alcohol use disorder.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • High risk of overdose, which can lead to death
  • Worsening of pain
  • Respiratory depression (serious breathing problem that can be life-threatening)
  • Adrenal gland problems
  • Low blood pressure
  • Increased risk of heart rhythm problem, including QT prolongation
  • Increased risk of seizures
  • Serotonin syndrome, when used with certain medicines
• This medicine may make you dizzy, drowsy, or lightheaded. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. Sit or lie down if you feel dizzy. Stand up carefully.
• This medicine can be habit-forming. Do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor if you think your medicine is not working.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
• This medicine may cause constipation, especially with long-term use. Ask your doctor if you should use a laxative to prevent and treat constipation. Drink plenty of liquids to help avoid constipation.
• This medicine could cause infertility. Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Anxiety, restlessness, fast heartbeat, fever, sweating, muscle spasms, twitching, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, seeing or hearing things that are not there
• Blue lips, fingernails, or skin, trouble breathing
• Changes in skin color, dark freckles, cold feeling, tiredness, weight loss
• Extreme dizziness, drowsiness, or weakness, slow heartbeat, seizures, and cold, clammy skin
• Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
• Severe confusion, lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• Worsening of pain, increased sensitivity to pain

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Constipation, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting
• Sleepiness

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024