hydrocodone / homatropine

• Risk factors: Personal or family history of alcohol or substance use disorder | Personal or family history of mental health conditions

Hycodan contains an hydrocodone, which is an opioid medication that carries a risk of addiction or misuse, even at recommended doses. In serious cases, addiction and misuse of an opioid medication can lead to overdose and death.

Hycodan (hydrocodone / homatropine) is typically prescribed only when cough relief outweighs these serious risks. If absolutely necessary, your healthcare professional (HCP) will prescribe the lowest amount of medication for the shortest period of time needed to treat your symptoms. Contact your HCP to discuss other options if you've taken Hycodan (hydrocodone / homatropine) for 5 days and your cough hasn't gotten better.

• Risk factors: Older adults | Children younger than 18 years old | Taking medications that can cause slow breathing | Brain injury | Drinking alcohol | Having medical conditions that affect breathing | Taking higher doses of Hycodan (hydrocodone / homatropine) than prescribed

Hycodan (hydrocodone / homatropine) can cause dangerously slow breathing, which can be life-threatening. This can happen at any time, but you're at higher risk 1 to 3 days right after you start Hycodan (hydrocodone / homatropine). Drinking alcohol and taking other medications, like benzodiazepines, can also raise your risk for this dangerous side effect.

You're recommended to ask your prescriber about getting naloxone, a medication that can reverse slowed breathing from opioids. You should have naloxone before you start Hycodan (hydrocodone / homatropine) so that you can use it in case of an accidental overdose. Call 911 to get medical help right away if you or your loved one notices you have trouble breathing or have bluish-colored lips.

• Risk factors: Taking higher doses of Hycodan (hydrocodone / homatropine) | Age 65 years or older | Drinking alcohol | Taking other medications that can cause sleepiness

Hycodan (hydrocodone / homatropine) can cause extreme sleepiness and lower your ability to think, react, and focus. Your risk for these side effects is higher if you're taking other medications that can make you sleepy, such as benzodiazepines, muscle relaxants, and sleep medications.

Make sure you know how Hycodan (hydrocodone / homatropine) affects you before driving a car or doing activities that require your concentration. Talk to your HCP right away if you feel too sleepy from the medication.

• Risk factors: History of opioid use disorder | Previous opioid overdose | Taking high doses of Hycodan (hydrocodone / homatropine) | Taking more opioids or antihistamines than prescribed | Drinking alcohol

Take Hycodan (hydrocodone / homatropine) exactly as prescribed. Taking too much medication or taking it more often than prescribed can lead to an overdose. When measuring out your dose of Hycodan (hydrocodone / homatropine), only use an oral syringe or a medication cup; don't use household spoons because they might not be accurate. Be sure to keep the opioid medication out of reach from children, pets, or visitors to prevent accidental exposure or overdose. Don't drink alcohol while taking Hycodan (hydrocodone / homatropine) because doing so raises the risk for overdose.

Symptoms of an opioid overdose include not responding to sound or touch, extremely slow breathing, extreme sleepiness, slow heartbeat, and cold or clammy skin. Be sure you and your loved ones know how to recognize an overdose. Your prescriber will probably write a prescription for naloxone (Narcan), a medication that can treat an opioid overdose. Carry naloxone with you at all times; use it and call 911 right away if an overdose happens.

Additionally, anticholinergic medications can be found in some over-the-counter products, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Very rarely, taking too much anticholinergic medication can lead to side effects such as confusion, delirium, skin flushing, and fever. To prevent an accidental overdose, read package labels carefully. Ask your pharmacist if you're not sure whether a product has an anticholinergic in it.

Hycodan (hydrocodone / homatropine) interacts with a lot of common medications. So it's important to tell your prescriber and pharmacist about the medications you're taking and planning to take with Hycodan (hydrocodone / homatropine). Your care team can check that your medications are safe to take together. Also talk to your care team first before making any changes to your medications because sudden dose adjustments can also lead to harm.

Some interactions can raise the level of hydrocodone in your body. This can raise your risk for serious side effects, including potentially life-threatening slowed breathing. Examples of medications that can lead to this type of interaction with Hycodan (hydrocodone / homatropine) include erythromycin, ketoconazole, and ritonavir (Norvir).

Other drug interactions can lower the levels of hydrocodone in your body. This can cause the opioid to work less well for you and possibly lead to withdrawal symptoms. These interactions include taking Hycodan (hydrocodone / homatropine) with rifampin (Rifadin) or carbamazepine (Tegretol).

Hycodan (hydrocodone / homatropine) can be transferred to your unborn baby if you take this medication during pregnancy. Long-term opioid use during pregnancy can cause your unborn baby to become dependent on the medication.

Once your baby is born, they can experience withdrawal symptoms, such as high-pitched crying, poor feeding and sucking behavior, trembling, irritability, abnormal sleep patterns, and seizures. This condition is called neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome and can be life-threatening if not recognized and treated in time. Let your healthcare team know if you've used Hycodan (hydrocodone / homatropine) during pregnancy or if you notice these symptoms in your baby.

Hycodan (hydrocodone / homatropine) can cause extremely low blood pressure. Your blood pressure might drop when you stand from a sitting or lying down position. This can lead to dizziness and fainting. To avoid falling, get up slowly if you've been sitting or lying down. Talk to your HCP if any dizziness or lightheadedness doesn't go away.

• Risk factors: Taking Hycodan (hydrocodone / homatropine) for longer than 1 month

Some people taking opioid medications like Hycodan (hydrocodone / homatropine) have had low adrenal hormone levels. This might be more likely to happen after taking opioids for longer than 1 month. Symptoms include tiredness, dizziness, weakness, not feeling hungry, nausea, and vomiting. Tell your HCP if you have these symptoms. If your adrenal hormone levels are too low, you might need to stop Hycodan (hydrocodone / homatropine) and be treated with corticosteroids.

• Risk factors: History of seizure conditions

Opioids such as hydrocodone can raise the risk of having seizures more often in people who have had seizures in the past. Hycodan (hydrocodone / homatropine) can also raise your risk of seizures in certain situations. Get medical help right away if you have a seizure while you're taking this medication.

Hycodan (hydrocodone / homatropine) can cause your gut movement to slow and can lead to constipation or bowel obstruction. This medication shouldn't be taken by people who already have bowel obstruction or conditions related to gut movement. To lower your risk of constipation, drink enough fluids and eat foods that are rich in fiber, such as broccoli, apples, almonds. Get medical attention right away if you experience symptoms related to bowel obstruction, such as serious stomach pains, bloating, or nausea.