What Is Hydrocodone?

Hydrocodone is a narcotic medication for pain relief and cough suppression. Vicodin is a brand name medication containing hydrocodone and acetaminophen. Hydrocodone is a manipulated form of codeine and, thus, a semi-synthetic opioid.

A German pharmaceutical company first developed hydrocodone in the year 1920. It was an effort to find some alternative to codeine that has lesser risks of toxicity. Later, American scientists also experiment with hydrocodone as a replacement for opioid-containing highly addictive cough medicines. Hydrocodone came as the best option as it reduced pain and suppressed cough while causing relatively fewer side effects.

What Does Hydrocodone Look Like?

Hydrocodone is available in two forms: a tablet formulation and a liquid formulation. It is most commonly available as white oval-shaped small tablets. Each tablet has an imprint of the strength of a hydrocodone pill, or you can say the number indicating the milligrams of medicine is inscribed on it.

Hydrocodone pills come in varying strengths ranging from 10 milligrams to 120 milligrams.

Brand Names and Intended Use of Hydrocodone

Many pharmaceutical companies sell the brand name versions of hydrocodone. You can also find hydrocodone brand versions online on online pharmacies. Brand name drugs that contain hydrocodone and acetaminophen combination include:

• Norco
• Lortab
• Vicodin
• Model
• Zolvit
• Panacea
• Lorcet

Vicoprofen is the opioid medication containing the combination of hydrocodone and ibuprofen.

Common street names or slang terms used for hydrocodone are:

• Tabs
• Hydros
• Watsons
• Videos
• Vics
• Vikes
• 357s
• Nico
• Perks
• Lorris
• Loris

Hydrocodone is useful for the management of pain and cough suppression. The doctor recommends hydrocodone to the patients having a persistent cough, severe pain, or who have undergone surgery.

Hydrocodone has a very high potential for dependence. People who start the drug on prescription for medical needs end up as hydrocodone dependent or addicted persons.

Is Hydrocodone Addictive?

"Is Hydrocodone Addictive?" is a very frequently asked question regarding the drug. The answer is YES! Hydrocodone is a highly addictive drug having a potential for addiction, abuse, and misuse.

Hydrocodone produces a high as it produces euphoria. People are abusing hydrocodone experiences feeling more social, nodding off, having an overall warm feeling, and feeling content. Abusers of hydrocodone also report lethargy and feelings of tiredness after misusing the drug.

The next question in consideration is, "What makes Hydrocodone addictive?" The answer is quite simple. We all know that hydrocodone is an opioid, and like all the other opioids, it is also addictive. Opioids produce the effects of calmness, anti-depression, and euphoria, which causes addiction. People often stick to opioids for getting high.

While taking hydrocodone on prescription by a proper health care expert, it is likely to cause addiction even on recommended doses.

Hydrocodone is classified as the Schedule II controlled substance under the Controlled Substance Act by the U.S Drug Enforcement Administration. The drug schedule is based on the therapeutic effects and potential of abuse the drug possessed. However, hydrocodone has a high risk of dependence and addiction; it has medical uses that make it come under Schedule II.