Hydrocodone is a medicine doctors prescribe to treat pain and sometimes other health conditions like cough. If the doctor has also prescribed it for you or your loved one, but you are wondering, “What is it?” “How long Does Hydrocodone stay in urine and overall system?” then read this article.
Here, you will get to know every essential thing that you should be aware of before taking Hydrocodone.
What Is Hydrocodone and Why Is It Used?
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Hydrocodone (dihydrocodeinone) is a medicine mostly used to treat pain, and in some adults, it is also used to treat cough. It treats the pain by altering how your nervous system and brain respond to it and treats cough by decreasing the part of the brain that is causing it.
Hydrocodone is usually taken by the mouth and takes around 1.5 hours to show its full effect when used to treat pain. On the other hand, if an individual takes Hydrocodone for cough, the drug shows its effect within 3.5 hours.
However, Hydrocodone also comes in an extended release form that takes slightly longer to show its results, probably around 5 to 6.5 hours. However, the exact time can vary due to factors like age, any other medication taken along with it, etc. Also, if an individual is used to taking this drug, then it can take much longer for it to kick in fully.
How Long Does Hydrocodone Stay In Urine And other Body fluids?
According to the sources, it usually takes 18-24 hours for the body to process Hydrocodone. However, please know that the traces of the Hydrocodone can still be retained in various parts of the body.
For instance, Hydrocodone can still be tested in the urine after 1-4 days of its consumption. Besides that, there are also some body fluids parts in which the drug might still be detected after 24 hours, which includes the following:
- Saliva – After taking a dose of Hydrocodone, it can be detected in saliva for around 12 to 36 hours.
- Blood – Hydrocodone is also detectable in the blood after 24 hours of taking it.
- Hair – Hairs are the body part in which the Hydrocodone can be detected for a longer period, probably around 90 days.
What Factors Influence How Long Hydrocodone Will Stay In Your System?
How long does Hydrocodone stay in urine and the overall body can be influenced by various factors. Here are some of the main ones:
- The Amount Of Hydrocodone – The higher the dose of Hydrocodone, the longer it will take for your body to process it.
- Age – Age is also one of the factors that determine how long Hydrocodone will stay in your system. Usually, it is known that the older people take longer to process this drug in comparison to the younger people.
- The Health Of Your Liver And Kidney – If you have an unhealthy liver and kidney, you will take longer to process Hydrocodone. Not only that, but your overall health also determines how long your body will take to process the drug.
- Other Drug Interaction – Hydrocodone is generally broken down by the enzymes the liver produces. But, if you are taking any other medication along with it, then chances are that it may interact with the enzymes, eventually affecting the time your body takes to process the Hydrocodone.
Are There Any Side Effects Of Taking Hydrocodone?
Now you know how long does Hydrocodone stay in urine and other body parts? Let’s discuss the side effects that this drug can cause in an individual.
There are various side effects that Hydrocodone brings along. Some of the most common ones include: nausea and constipation.
However, there are also a some other side effects that can occur, which include the following:
- Itchy Skin
- Anxiety
- Fatigues
- Vomiting
- Breath Shortness
As per the sources, people who are suffering from any respiratory condition should avoid taking Hydrocodone as it can worsen the condition. Talk to your doctor if there’s any other type of treatment that can be used.
Also, if you are pregnant and take Hydrocodone, chances are high that it may affect your baby negatively. Your baby may become dependent on the drug, which can cause life-threatening symptoms after it is born.
If you are breastfeeding your baby, ensure to talk to your doctor before you begin to use Hydrocodone.
You should also avoid using this medicine with alcohol or any other medicine that can cause side effects like slow breathing and drowsiness, as it can lead to severe health conditions.
Lastly, make sure not to take Hydrocodone before driving and operating any machine as the drug can cause you to feel dizzy and lightheaded, which may lead to severe consequences while you are doing these activities. It is advised to first examine how the drug actually affects your body and then proceed accordingly.
How Do You Get Hydrocodone Out Of Your Body?
Unfortunately, there’s no technique that can be used to fasten the process of eliminating the Hydrocodone from the body. The only way to get it out of your body is by being patient and waiting for the body to process it fully.
Hydrocodone is usually broken down with the help of enzymes produced by the liver. Hence, you must wait for a specific period until your liver has fully processed the Hydrocodone. The process may take a few days to flush out the medicine from the body completely.
Conclusion
That was all you needed to know about how long does Hydrocodone stay in urine and overall body.
In general, Hydrocodone can stay in the system for around 18 to 24 hours. But, it is essential to understand that the exact duration can vary from person to person as there are many factors, like age, dosage, health condition, etc., that influences how long the drug will stay in the body.
Also, know that there are a few risks associated with the consumption of Hydrocodone that you must take into account before consuming the drug.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
1. Does Hydrocodone Make You Sleepy?
Yes, Hydrocodone is likely to make you feel sleepy.
2. What Is The Difference Between Hydrocodone and Oxycodone?
Both drugs are used to treat severe pain in a patient, but they differ in many ways. For example, one of the main differences is that Oxycodone is much stronger than Hydrocodone. Means, you will need to take less Oxycodone in order to produce the same effects as Hydrocodone. But, it also comes with a high risk of overdose.
3. How Strong Is Hydrocodone?
Hydrocodone is generally known to be a strong drug to cure moderate to severe pain and cough in different types of patients.
Ansh Sharma is a content writer who possesses the skill of describing different topics in a simple and creative manner. He has a vast interest in crypto and finances, but is also well-versed with many other niches like pets, health, technology, gaming, etc. Apart from writing, he loves to read non-fiction books to continually learn and grow.
