Overview
Hydrocodone is an opioid analgesic (painkiller) drug – included in the formulation of many narcotic prescription painkillers that are most often prescribed to control moderate to severe pain. As an opiate drug, it is in the same family as morphine and oxycodone; like many other opioid substances, it has a high potential to lead to dependency and addiction if it is abused. It’s indicated for the management of pain that would not be well controlled with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory or other, non-narcotic analgesic options. Doctors typically prescribe this drug only for patients with severe pain resulting from surgery, various disease processes or injury.
More Information
An opiate drug, hydrocodone is highly addictive; not everyone with a hydrocodone prescription will develop hydrocodone addiction but most will become physically dependent on the drug. Detecting signs of prescription medication addiction is more challenging than with other types of drugs since some chronic use alone does not denote a problem if there are chronic pain issues are the reason for the prescription. The side effects can be strong and being able to tell the different between side effects and hydrocodone addiction warning signs is key to taking care of yourself appropriately.