Erowid Hydrocodone (Vicodin) Vault : Health

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Hydrocodone (Vicodin) Health Concerns
by Erowid

* Every individual reacts differently to every substance.
* Be mindful at every step.
* Know your body. Know your mind. Know your source.

Respiratory Depression:
At high doses or in sensitive patients, hydrocodone may produce dose-related respiratory depression by acting directly on the brain stem respiratory center. Hydrocodone also affects the center that controls respiratory rhythm, and may produce irregular and periodic breathing.

Head Injury and Increased Intracranial Pressure:
The respiratory depressant effects of narcotics and their capacity to elevate cerebrospinal fluid pressure may be markedly exaggerated in the presence of head injury, other intracranial lesions or a preexisting increase in intracranial pressure. Furthermore, narcotics produce adverse reactions which may obscure the clinical course of patients with head injuries.

Acute Abdominal Conditions:
The administration of narcotics may obscure the diagnosis or clinical course of patients with acute abdominal conditions.

Drug Interactions:
Be careful when combining hydrocodone with other CNS depressants such as alcohol, narcotics, antihistamines, antipsychotics, and anti-anxiety agents. The use of MAO inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants with hydrocodone preparations may increase the effect of either the antidepressant or hydrocodone.

Last Modified - Tue, Apr 24, 2007

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