Hydrocodone Overdose: How Much Is Too Much?

Key Takeaways

• Hydrocodone Overview: An opioid pain reliever that can lead to addiction and overdose.
• Overdose Risks: Doses of 50 mg or more increase overdose risk, especially when combined with other depressants.
• Acetaminophen Toxicity: High doses of acetaminophen can cause severe liver damage.
• Symptoms: Include pinpoint pupils, unresponsiveness, slowed breathing, and cyanosis.
• Fatalities: Opioids are the leading cause of overdose deaths, with hydrocodone contributing significantly.
• Causes: Accidental misuse, addiction, and polysubstance use are primary causes of overdose.
• Response: Administer Narcan, call 911, monitor breathing, and position the individual safely.
• Treatment: Focuses on stabilizing vital signs and addressing liver toxicity if present.
• Addiction Support: The Recovery Village Salem provides specialized detox and rehab programs for hydrocodone addiction.

Hydrocodone is a widely prescribed opioid medication used to manage pain. As an opioid, hydrocodone functions by dampening and slowing down normal brain activity. When taken in excessive amounts, hydrocodone can significantly reduce or even halt breathing, leading to a dangerous or potentially fatal overdose.

If you or someone you know is using hydrocodone, it is crucial to recognize the signs of overdose and understand how to respond effectively to prevent severe consequences.

How Much Hydrocodone Can Lead to an Overdose?

The threshold for a hydrocodone overdose varies among individuals, but taking 50 mg or more increases the risk substantially. Doses of 90 mg or higher are considered extremely risky, and most healthcare providers will never prescribe such high amounts, regardless of the situation.

The risk of overdose becomes even more significant when hydrocodone is combined with other depressants. Mixing hydrocodone with substances like opioids, benzodiazepines, or alcohol can dramatically elevate the danger of an overdose by further suppressing respiratory function.

Acetaminophen Toxicity

While hydrocodone can be administered on its own, it is often combined with acetaminophen to enhance its pain-relieving effects. Acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, is included in medications like Norco, Vicodin, and Lortab. Despite being commonly perceived as safe, acetaminophen is highly toxic to the liver in large doses. Prolonged use of hydrocodone-acetaminophen combinations can lead to liver damage and poses a short-term risk of opioid overdose.

The maximum safe dose of acetaminophen for healthy adults is 1,000 mg every six hours or up to 4,000 mg in a single day. It is essential to account for all sources of acetaminophen to avoid exceeding this limit, especially since many medications contain acetaminophen.

How to Identify Hydrocodone Overdose Symptoms

Hydrocodone overdose is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. Common symptoms include:

• Pinpoint Pupils: Small, constricted pupils are a hallmark of opioid overdose.
• Nausea and Vomiting: Gastrointestinal distress is common.
• Abdominal Pain: Severe stomach discomfort may occur.
• Drowsiness: Extreme sleepiness or inability to stay awake.
• Unresponsiveness: Lack of responsiveness or consciousness.
• Slow or Ceased Breathing: Respiratory depression is the most critical sign.
• Pallor and Clammy Skin: The skin may appear pale and feel moist.
• Cyanosis: Bluish tint around the mouth or in the nail beds indicates insufficient oxygen.
• Cardiac Arrest and Coma: In severe cases, the person may stop breathing and enter a coma.

If someone exhibits these symptoms, it is imperative to seek emergency medical help immediately by calling 911.

Hydrocodone Overdose Fatalities

In 2021, overdose deaths surged to 100,000 annually for the first time, with over 75,000 attributed to opioid use. Although specific statistics for hydrocodone-related deaths are not separately tracked, opioids remain the highest cause of overdose fatalities among misused substances.

Causes of Hydrocodone Overdose

Hydrocodone overdoses can result from several factors:

• Accidental Misuse: This includes scenarios where a child ingests the medication or an individual misreads dosage instructions.
• Addiction and Abuse: Chronic users may take higher doses to achieve a more intense high, increasing the risk of overdose.
• Polysubstance Use: Combining hydrocodone with other depressants like alcohol or benzodiazepines heightens overdose risks.

What to Do in Case of an Overdose

Immediate action can save lives during a hydrocodone overdose. Here’s how to respond:

1. Check for a Response: Try to wake the person up by shaking them or shouting their name. If they do not respond to this, grind your knuckles into their chest for 5-10 seconds.
2. Call 911 If No Response: Emergency services can provide life-saving interventions and guide you through necessary first aid steps. Oregon’s Good Samaritan Law will ensure neither you nor the person who is overdosing will get in trouble for drug possession, even in the case of sharing drugs.
3. Administer Narcan (Naloxone) if Available: Narcan can temporarily reverse the effects of hydrocodone, providing crucial time to seek medical treatment. Wait a few minutes to see if the person wakes up. If not, administer the second dose of Narcan.
4. Monitor Breathing: Keep a close watch on the person’s breathing and be prepared to perform CPR if their breathing becomes dangerously slow or stops.
5. Position Safely: If the individual is breathing but unresponsive, place them on their side in the recovery position to keep the airway clear.
6. Stay Closeby: Naloxone wears off after 30 to 90 minutes. Be sure to stay with the person who overdosed until the ambulance arrives in case they overdose again.

Treatment for Hydrocodone Overdose

Treatment primarily focuses on stabilizing the individual’s vital signs—breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure—while the body metabolizes the drug. Although flumazenil is a benzodiazepine reversal agent, its use is limited due to potential complications like seizures and heart issues, making it rarely used in practice.

When acetaminophen is involved, medical professionals may administer specific treatments to mitigate liver damage, but in severe cases, a liver transplant may be necessary.

Hydrocodone Addiction Treatment in Salem, OR

Hydrocodone addiction can lead individuals to dangerous behaviors and increase the risk of overdose. The only effective way to prevent an overdose is to seek treatment and cease using hydrocodone and other opioids.

The Recovery Village Salem offers comprehensive addiction treatment programs designed to help individuals overcome hydrocodone dependence. Our state-of-the-art facility and dedicated healthcare professionals provide a safe and supportive environment for detoxification and long-term recovery. Whether you need inpatient rehabilitation or outpatient support, our personalized treatment plans are tailored to meet your unique needs.