Author: Corinne O’Keefe Osborn, MS

Hydrocodone is a legal medication prescribed by doctors to relieve severe pain. It is an opioid analgesic, a class of drugs that also includes oxycodone, morphine and methadone. These drugs work by changing the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain. Prescription opioids are generally safe when taken for a short time to relieve pain, but they are highly addictive and are often misused or abused.¹

In fact, over the past two decades, deaths related to overdose of opioid analgesics have been increasing steadily. From 1999 to 2013, the rate of drug overdose deaths involving opioid analgesics nearly quadrupled.²

Death related to drug overdose has become an alarming public health epidemic. Drug overdose, which occurs when a person takes more of a drug than their body can handle, is a serious, life-threatening problem. Overdose is now the leading cause of injury-related death in America.²

• Hydrocodone overdose can be fatal if not treated immediately.
• Learning to avoid certain risks can prevent overdose.
• You can help someone who is overdosing by calling 911 and getting them naloxone (Narcan).

Hydrocodone overdose is common, occurring both when someone takes too much of the drug and when they mix it with alcohol or other drugs. When a person overdoses on opioid analgesics, their breathing and heartbeat will slow and could eventually stop.³

Every day, more than 1,000 people are treated in American emergency rooms because they misused prescription opioids like hydrocodone.¹ If someone you know is overdosing on hydrocodone, emergency medical treatment can save their life. You can learn the signs and symptoms of an overdose here, but when in doubt call 911.

H2: Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of a life-threatening overdose may include the following:

• The skin is cold and/or clammy to the touch
• There is muscle weakness or the body is limp
• Breathing is very slow or stopped
• Fingernails or lips have a blue or purple cast
• The person is vomiting or making gurgling noises
• The person cannot be awakened from sleep
• Extremely small “pin point” pupils
• The person is unable to speak
• The face is extremely pale
• The heartbeat is very slow or stopped³

A hydrocodone overdose requires immediate medical attention. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, call 911 immediately.

Hydrocodone effects the brain receptors that are responsible for breathing. In an overdose situation, it is the lack of oxygen that will ultimately cause death.⁴ While waiting for the paramedics to come there are a few things you can do to help. If a person is not breathing, you can perform rescue breathing. The steps for rescue breathing are as follows:

1. Be sure the person’s airway is clear (check that nothing is inside the mouth or throat).
2. Place your hand on the person’s chin, tilt the head back and pinch the nose closed.
3. Place your mouth over the other person’s mouth to make a seal
4. Give 2 slow breaths and make sure you see the chest rise (if it doesn’t rise, try tilting the head back more).
5. Give 1 breath every 5 seconds.³

People who are breathing are still at risk of chocking on their own vomit. It is best to stay with a person until the paramedics arrive, but if you have to leave them, even just to go call 911, put them in the recovery position.

1. Lay the person on their side.
2. Pull up one knee to prevent them from rolling over.
3. Rest the head on the hands facing sideways.⁴

Naloxone (Narcan) is an antidote to opioid overdose. It works almost immediately to reverse the effects of opioids by blocking the opioid receptor sites. Although it does not reduce the effects of other drugs like benzodiazepines, cocaine or speed, it may be helpful if a person has mixed opioids with another sedative.³

With quick access to naloxone, an opioid overdose does not have to be fatal. It is used by emergency responders, but can also be used by friends and family.³ If you are concerned that you or someone you know might overdose on hydrocodone in the future, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about getting naloxone for your home.

 

H2: Risk Factors for Overdose

Some people have an increased risk of overdosing on hydrocodone. Risk factors include:.

• Using hydrocodone in combination with other sedating drugs (benzodiazepines, ketamine).
• Existing opioid dependence and addiction.
• Combing hydrocodone with alcohol.
• Chronic pain.
• History of substance abuse.
• History of mental health problems.
• High tolerance and high daily dose and subsequent reduction of tolerance (haven’t used in a while).
• Injecting the drug. ^5,6

 

H2: Hydrocodone Overdose Treatment

Hydrocodone overdose requires immediate medical treatment. The first step medical professionals take is to determine if there is respiratory arrest. Because death and serious complications can result from a lack of oxygen, ventilation is extremely important.³

Once the person has been given a steady supply of oxygen, they will be given a dose of naloxone (Narcan). In an emergency situation, the quickest way to administer naloxone is through an interventions injection. It can also be injected into the muscle or inhaled through a nasal spray.³

 

H2: Can You Die From a Hydrocodone Overdose?

In 2014 alone, there were about 19,000 deaths resulting from prescription opioid analgesics like hydrocodone.¹ While people often assume that prescription opioids are safer than illegal opioids (heroin), this is not the case. Today, at least half of all opioid overdose deaths involve a prescription medication.¹

People who have been prescribed hydrocodone for long periods of time can inadvertently develop a dependence on the drug. It is normal for the body to become accustomed to a drug after repeated exposure, so it may take higher and higher doses to achieve the same pain-relieving effects. The immediate aftermath of an overdose is not going to be pleasant for people who have developed a hydrocodone dependence.

People being treated for hydrocodone overdose will receive at least one dose of naloxone. (If they have been taking extended release hydrocodone, they may need repeated doses to counteract the long-acting effects of the drug). Because naloxone blocks the opioid receptors in the brain, it will send people into immediate withdrawal.⁷

The sudden onset of withdrawal symptoms after a dose of naloxone can be quit jarring. People might experience sweating, chills, body aches, vomiting and diarrhea. While withdrawal symptoms are not usually life-threatening, a person might choose to stay in the hospital for medically supervised detox.⁷

 

H2: Recovering From an Overdose

A hydrocodone overdose is an extremely traumatic event that also leads to emotional consequences—guilt, shame, gratitude. Survivors may have to apologize for worrying the ones they love and they might be asked to explain why the overdose happened.

Surviving an overdose can be an enlightening experience; a wake up call to address the underlying problems that led them to overdose. In most cases of hydrocodone overdose, the underlying problem is physical or emotional pain. If physical pain is at the root of the problem, the person should try to find a pain specialist in the area, who can help them find safer ways to manage pain. If the underlying cause is a substance abuse problem caused by emotional problems, then it is time to seek substance abuse treatment.

A life-threatening overdose is a sign that a substance abuse problem has gotten out of control; a sign that it is time to get treatment before it happens again. Treatment for drug abuse and dependence is offered in a variety of settings that use a number of different behavioral and medical treatments. Treatment options include:

 

• Detoxification: sometimes uses medicines like methadone and Suboxone to make withdrawal easier.
• Out-patient treatment: includes a variety of programs involving behavioral counseling on both an individual and group level.
• In-patient treatment: residential programs that provide 24-hour structured treatment, counseling and medical care.
• Community-based treatment: this includes peer-to-peer programs like Narcotics Anonymous, as well as church groups and other support programs.

 

H2: Find an Overdose Recovery Center

Finding the best treatment program for you or a loved one may feel overwhelming at first, but we are here to help. Call our hotline at XXX-XXX-XXXX anytime to speak with a treatment advisor about your options. Don’t put it off any longer, pick up a phone and give us a call, we are ready to help.

 

Sources:

 

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention., National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (2016). Injury Prevention and Control: Opioid Overdose.
2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2015). Opioid Abuse in the U.S.
3. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2016). SAMHSA Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 16-4742.
4. Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Opioid Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution.
5. World Health Organization (2014). Fact Sheet on Opioid Overdose.
6. Paulozzi, L., MD (2012). Populations at Risk of Opioid Overdose. Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
7. National Institute on Drug Abuse (2016). Naloxone.
8. National Institute on Drug Abuse (2016). Prescription Drug Abuse.
9. 9. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. MedlinePlus: Hydrocodone.