Side Effects of Hydrocodone that Need Medical Attention
While hydrocodone can be a very effective prescription drug for the treatment of pain, some side effects of hydrocodonemay require a user to seek medical attention. Aside from the drug being addictive, serious adverse reactions may occur and if help is not sought promptly -it can have devastating results. Becoming aware of the common side effects that can cause health complications is the best thing to do. It can save your life, or that of a loved one.
According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, if you or a loved one experiences any serious side effects, or develop painful symptoms that do not go away, calling your doctor is recommended. In case of an emergency a person should call their local poison control center or 911 emergency service. Some side effects may be due to an overdose of hydrocodone.
What are Some Side Effects of Hydrocodone that Require Medical Attention?
If you or a loved one is taking hydrocodone for managing pain, then it is important to be aware of some of the negative side effects that may need you to contact a doctor, or emergency services. Hydrocodone is a powerful drug, and like other similar drugs -it can affect individuals differently. The side effects listed below may be considered serious, and should not be ignored. Some of these include:
Trouble swallowing, breathing and an irregular heartbeat are dangerous hydrocodone side effects.
- Irregular breathing or difficulty breathing
- Irregular or rapid heartbeats
- Slow heartbeat
- Tightness in the chest or chest pain
- Blood in the stools
- Rash or hives -which can be an allergic reaction to hydrocodone
- Urination problems
- Fainting
- Stomach pain that doesn’t go away
- Confusion
- Unusual thoughts
- Swelling of face, tongue, or lips
- Difficulty swallowing
- Seizures
- Dizziness
- Tingling in hands or feet
These may not be all the side effects of hydrocodone that require contacting a doctor, or emergency services for medical attention. Some more severe signs or symptoms may not be listed here, and if you or a loved one are feeling uneasy about how you feel when you take hydrocodone, then calling your doctor is important. Some users may experience less severe side effects that can cause health problems, especially with long-term use. Speak with your doctor about all side effects that seem unusual.
Other Side Effects to Watch Out For
Some long-term effects of hydrocodone can be debilitating to a user’s overall health. The more a person uses hydrocodone, the higher the probability of developing health problems later on. Hydrocodone is also very addictive, and if someone abuses the drug in anyway, then they may be more likely to develop problems. Some of the long-term effects that can be harmful to a user’s health include:
- Problems with the liver
- Severe constipation
- Frequent headaches
- Tolerance
Long-term use can also lead to an addiction to hydrocodone. This can be dangerous both physically and mentally. Hydrocodone is an addictive narcotic drug, and its usage should not be abused, or negative side effects ignored. Hydrocodone abuse can also cause an overdose if too much is taken.
Seeking Treatment
If you or a loved one are worried about the side effects of hydrocodone listed here, and think you may need treatment-then it is important you talk to your doctor about it, or speak to a license specialists that knows about prescription drug problems.