Hydrocodone /APAP Questions?
September 13th, 2007Q: What are the dangers of taking hydrocodone with a heart condition or hypertension? Are there safe levels of hydrocodone that can be taken? What does this drug do to your heart while taking it?
A: Not much usually. It can lower your blood pressure by vasodilating your venous system, but usually nothing very marked.
Q: The specialist treating me for pain prescribed Vicoprofen for pain. It worked well for me but seemed to cause severe edema, have you heard of this side effect before? My family doctor put me on Hydrocodone 7.5/650. What do those numbers mean? The Hydrocodone makes me feel so tired, I asked him to try something else. He prescribed Ultram. What pain medication do you think is best for treating moderate chronic pain and for allowing for the most normal functioning in daily living?
A: Any of the narcotics can cause edema, some more than others. As to the hydrocodone, the 7.5 refers to the milligrams of hydrocodone. The 650 the acetaminophen it is combined with. Ultram is a relatively new synthetic drug that is similar to narcotics. As to what is best, I am not convinced that any one is superior to another. They require you to take them and see for yourself. They actually have similar effects and side effects. First criteria is to find one that works-then with the least bothersome side effects for you. This is an individual issue. That is, some are more bothered by mental suppression with the narcotics, others less so.
Q: have been taking Hydrocodone for 6 months on and off. I am wondering if this interacts with or causes birth control bills not to work? Can you please answer this for me? I would greatly appreciate it.
A: Shouldn’t be a problem
Q: have just found out that I am 5 weeks pregnant. I take hydrocodone 5/500 for migraines and have taken 2-3 tabs per day on at least 7 occasions in the last 3 weeks, not realizing the increase in headaches may have been related to the pregnancy. Will this have an effect on my fetus, either teratogenic or otherwise? I am terrified and have discontinued the medication. I would appreciate your consideration on my specific situation.
A: Should have minimal effects unless taken regularly and close to the end of pregnancy. However, less medications are better than more during pregnancy.