Hydrocodone is an opioid-based drug with a strong nature. It is used for pain-reducing and blocking purposes but because of its strong nature and addicting tendency, it’s used in more severe cases and not for common pains.
It is mostly administered under the brand name, which is a combination of Hydrocodone and acetaminophen. Lorcet, Lorbat, and Norco are some other brand names for this opioid-based drug containing combination.
It is the most commonly prescribed opioid drug prescribed by doctors. However, like other opioids, it is also classified with medicines that have very high GH dependency and addiction tendencies and levels.
How Long Does Hydrocodone Stay In Body?
The period of hydrocodone lasting in the body is commonly referred to like up to 18-24 hours. However, in reality, there is no fixed amount of time. It can vary from person to person depending on certain aspects. Not only that, but it can also vary depending on the area of the body that is being checked for the traces of the drug in an individual’s system.
Let’s look at it with examples for a better understanding. The highest level of hydrocodone present in the blood after taking the blood is around past one and a half hours. But it can stay in the blood for up to 24 hours and can be detected in a blood inspection.
While in the saliva, the time period to which the drug can last and be detected can be from anywhere around twelve hours to 36 hours after consuming the drug. If the detecting test is performed on urine, the drug can be found well after two to four days of having consumed it.
While if it is checked through hair, the drug can be traced for up to even 90 days after consuming it, making it the longest period of time it can be detected in the system.
Now that we have covered the regions of the body and their varying degrees of drug detection, let’s delve into why it varies from person to person. The factors that can influence the difference from person to person are as follows.
Read More: How to Buy Hydrocodone Online?
Factors Based Prescribed Dosage
The dosages are prescribed based on many factors. A physician might prescribe different dosages because of differences in severity levels of people’s conditions and symptoms. They will also take into account any pre-existing illnesses or conditions and the overall health and immunity and tolerance levels of a person.
A person’s height, weight, and fat or muscle combination may also be a factor.
Since dosages are different based on different people, some people might get higher dosages than others. And the higher dosages will take more time for the body to break it down, absorb and metabolize. Hence, it will take longer for it to leave the system and it will stay longer in the body as compared to the body of a person who consumed a lower dosage.
Age
Another varying factor is the age of the person. People younger in age are likely to process the drug more quickly than the older ones. This is due to the reason that younger people are healthier and sturdier and have stronger organs that can work faster and better.
With age, the strength, immunity, and overall health of the body decline, and it takes a toll on the internal organs too making them work slower and with less concentration.
Genetics
There are certain enzymes in the body that are essential for the breakdown and processing of Hydrocodone 10-325. These enzymes can vary in quantity as well as quality depending on the genes of a person.
Thus, with the varying genetics of everybody, their ability to process the drug can get affected too and this is one of the factors that makes it differ from person to person.
Drug Taking Frequency
When a person has been consuming a drug for longer periods of time, for instance over a period of several months or even years, it will take longer accordingly for the drug to be out of their system. Naturally, someone who has taken the drug for just a few days or up to a week will have it easier getting the drug out of their system in a shorter time.
This is related to the tolerance levels of individuals. When you use a drug for a considerable amount of time, your body develops and extends its tolerance for the drug. An increased tolerance also means that your body can withstand higher doses of the drug with minimal or almost none of the side effects causing impairment to you.
Therefore people who take it over a significantly long period of time and take higher dosages naturally have it stick around longer in their systems.
Symptoms And Condition
As mentioned earlier, this drug is used for severe cases and not common everyday pains. Physicians mostly prescribe this drug to treat pains occurring from conditions like arthritis or cancer etc. It is also sometimes used to treat a long-lasting, persisting cough that does not seem to be going away with any other medicines and treatments.
Dosage
The usual adult dosage is 5 mg of Hydrocodone containing pill after a duration of four to six hours. The dosage can be increased as per requirement but should not exceed eight tablets a day. If the dosage of hydrocodone is 10 mg in the pill, do not let the pills exceed six per day. Physicians should prescribe it at the lowest level possible and not for a long period of time to avoid any dependency or addiction issues.
It is not recommended at all to be used in children under the age of twelve.
Side Effects
Hydrocodone can be a cause of many unwanted adverse effects. Common side effects occurring due to this drug can include drowsiness, headache, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, etc. Other less common side effects might contain dry mouth, chest pains, stomach or digestion issues, muscle or back pain, difficulty swallowing, heartburn, etc.
Some mental and behavioral issues may also exhibit like anxiety, irritability, confusion, mood changes, and hypersensitivity, etc. Consult your physician immediately if any of the side effects cause a significant level of difficulty for you.
Hydrocodone can also cause problems in breathing making it harder to draw easy, smooth long breaths in, therefore, people with asthma or any other respiratory disorders should avoid using opioid-based medications.
Hydrocodone and acetaminophen combined used such as in drugs like Vicodin can cause damage to the liver if used for longer periods of time consistently. Extended use of hydrocodone can also cause kidney problems and may get worse enough for the person to require dialysis.
Dependency
Hydrocodone just like any other opioid-based drugs has a high tendency to prove addictive. Care should be observed not to become dependent on the drug as it might lead to excess usage causing serious hazardous effects. Overdose of such drugs can even prove to be fatal and has caused deaths in the past. Hence it’s essential to use this drug with absolute care and consideration if it’s absolutely necessary.
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