These included:. The expiration date on a drug is usually one to five years after it was manufactured. They noted that the Shelf-Life Extension Program allows drugs in federal stockpiles to be retained for up to months after their stated expiration date if tests show they are still potent. But some of the ingredients tested in this study remained good for months — so far.
The analysis was published online Monday by Archives of Internal Medicine. The full report is behind a paywall, but you can can read the first page here. Return to the Booster Shots blog. Follow me on Twitter LATkarenkaplan. Karen Kaplan is science and medicine editor at the Los Angeles Times. Hydrocodone drug class is a narcotic analgesic used to treat pain that cannot be controlled with other medications. Narcotics are substances that induce narcosis insensibility.
They are mind-altering compounds that induce sleep. This class of drugs induce drowsiness and relieve pain by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord. Besides weakening pain signals, narcotics create a feeling of intense euphoria and elation, which makes them highly addictive. It is not an opiate. It is a semi-synthetic narcotic analgesic that is made by chemically modifying naturally occurring opiates. Opiates are natural opium derivatives extracted from the poppy plant.
Examples of opiates include codeine and morphine. Hydrocodone classification is a semi-synthetic opioid with a structure and function similar to morphine and codeine. Opioids bind to the same receptors in the central nervous system as opiates. However, opioids do not occur naturally.
Rather, they are either semi-synthetic or synthetic. Synthetic opioids are manufactured entirely in the laboratory. Semi-synthetic opioids are manufactured by a chemical modification of naturally occurring opiates. NSAIDs non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduce pain, fever, and inflammation.
They are available over-the-counter as Ibuprofen and Naproxen. However, this opioid analgesic is available by prescription in combination products such as Vicoprofen, which contains the opioid, and ibuprofen. The misuse of opiates is a serious public health concern and a national crisis in the United States. People who misuse narcotic analgesics are at risk of addiction as well as overdose symptoms, including coma and death.
Hydrocodone pain pills have a high potential for abuse and addiction. People who are dependent on the medication may experience certain signs and symptoms upon sudden withdrawal from hydrocodone.
People who have developed an addiction to prescription pain relievers tend to seek out the drug compulsively. Some addicts attempt to reduce the amount of non-opioid components in combination products to nontoxic levels with techniques such as cold water extraction. However, these processes do not protect them from the dangers of substance addiction and overdose. People who misuse prescription pain pills can develop a tolerance to the drug.
Once tolerance develops, the person must take higher doses to achieve the same effect. Tolerance can progress to an addiction to hydrocodone pain pills. Addicts cannot stop taking the drug even if they want to because of physical and psychological dependence. They end up spending an inordinate amount of time trying to obtain, use, and recover from drug use. They continue abusing the medication despite being aware of its negative effects.
If any of these signs are noticed in someone using hydrocodone pain pills, seek professional help. If the medicine is not used exactly as prescribed, it can quickly progress to chemical dependence and a compulsive need to use the drug regardless of the consequences.
Hydrocodone bitartrate is such a potent drug, thus making it easy for people to develop an addiction. It all starts with a simple prescription and grows to become a chemical dependence.
Thereafter, the user develops hydrocodone addiction symptoms evidenced by a compulsive need and strange cravings for the painkiller irrespective of the consequences and circumstances. The abundance of this painkiller makes it easy to obtain. This is one of the reasons why signs of its abuse disorders are rampant.
Abuse signs can be classified into two groups: physical and psychological. Despite the above symptoms of abuse, misuse of this drug is pretty hard to recognize. This is because the users maintain a high level of secrecy or exude a certain degree of calm and relaxation that may cause one to be unsuspecting.
However, recognizing the signs and symptoms of substance abuse early enough can potentially save a life. An overdose of hydrocodone in the system can be fatal. When one realizes that the user is showing signs of hydrocodone addiction, they should immediately act. Delays make a recovery very difficult.
The best approach is to stage an intervention for a user manifesting physical signs of addiction. There are also specialists who are experienced and can help with rapid detox, among other procedures to rid the system of the drug.
The professional hydrocodone addiction treatment is the best option for those who have noticed the warning signs in their loved ones or themselves. There are many opioid dependence therapies available, including medically-assisted treatment and holistic practices like yoga or meditation.
Treatment options include a combination of both medication-assisted therapy MAT and behavioral therapy. Due to opioid abuse affecting millions of people, specialists and governments have approved the use of medications as part of addiction treatment to help deal reduce cravings and ease the pain caused by withdrawal.
Never take this medicine in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. An overdose can damage your liver or cause death. Tell your doctor if you feel an increased urge to use more of this medicine. Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medicine in a place where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.
Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device not a kitchen spoon.
If you need surgery or medical tests, tell the doctor ahead of time that you are using this medicine. You should not stop using this medicine suddenly. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep track of your medicine. You should be aware if anyone is using it improperly or without a prescription.
Do not keep leftover opioid medication. Just one dose can cause death in someone using this medicine accidentally or improperly. Ask your pharmacist where to locate a drug take-back disposal program. If there is no take-back program, flush the unused medicine down the toilet.
Since this medicine is used for pain, you are not likely to miss a dose. Skip any missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at An overdose of this medicine can be fatal, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription.
Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, sweating, severe drowsiness, pinpoint pupils, slow breathing, or no breathing. Your doctor may recommend you get naloxone a medicine to reverse an opioid overdose and keep it with you at all times.
A person caring for you can give the naloxone if you stop breathing or don't wake up. Your caregiver must still get emergency medical help and may need to perform CPR cardiopulmonary resuscitation on you while waiting for help to arrive. Anyone can buy naloxone from a pharmacy or local health department. Make sure any person caring for you knows where you keep naloxone and how to use it. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine that may contain acetaminophen sometimes abbreviated as APAP. Taking certain medications together can lead to a fatal overdose.
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