Hydrocodone precautions

List of drug precautions
General Special Risk Patients Cough Reflex Teratogenic Effects Labor and Delivery

General
Caution is advised when prescribing this drug to patients with narrow-angle glaucoma, asthma, or prostatic hypertrophy. Return to top

Special Risk Patients
As with any narcotic agent, Hydrocodone should be used with caution in elderly or debilitated patients and those with severe impairment of hepatic or renal function, hypothyroidism, Addison's disease, prostatic hypertrophy, or urethral stricture. The usual precautions should be observed and the possibility of respiratory depression should be kept in mind. Return to top

Cough Reflex
Hydrocodone suppresses the cough reflex; as with all narcotics, caution should be exercised when Hydrocodone is used postoperatively, and in patients with pulmonary disease. Return to top

Teratogenic Effects
Hydrocodone has been shown to be teratogenic in hamsters when given in doses 700 times the human dose. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. THydrocodone should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Return to top

Labor and Delivery
As with all narcotics, administration of Hydrocodone to the mother shortly before delivery may result in some degree of respiratory depression in the newborn, especially if higher doses are used. Return to top