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Psychedex
Facts label

Hydrocodone Facts

Opioid; Depressant; Substituted morphinan; Mu-opioid receptor agonist

Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies

Oral(mg)
Threshold< 3 mgLight5 – 10 mgCommon10 – 25 mgStrong25 – 40 mgHeavy40+ mg

Starts in 10 – 60 minLasts 4 – 8 hoursAfter-effects 2 – 6 hours

Body and dependence

Acute toxicity
High
Chronic toxicity
High
Physical dependence
Moderate
Psychological dependence
Moderate
Withdrawal
Moderate
Compulsive redosing
Moderate

Tolerance

Builds
Moderate
Fully resets after
10 days
Carries over to
morphine; oxycodone; heroin; fentanyl; methadone; hydromorphone; codeine; tramadol

Effectslikely at a common dose

Perception
Dreaming suppression; +3 possible, including Vestibular distortion, Spatial disorientation, Visual acuity suppression
Body
Bodily heaviness; Body high; Breathing alteration; Constipation; Motor control impairment; Muscle relaxation; Pain suppression; Physical fatigue; Pupil constriction; Respiratory depression; Sedation; Tactile euphoria; +12 possible, including Dizziness, Nausea, Excessive sweating
Thinking
Cognitive euphoria; Cognitive fatigue; +14 possible, including Cognitive impairment, Analysis suppression, Compulsive redosing urge
Feeling
Euphoria; +3 possible, including Empathy suppression
Self
none likely · 5 possible, including Craving, Communication suppression, Social disconnection
Time
none likely · 2 possible, including Temporal disorientation

Who shouldn't take it

Absolute
Severe respiratory depression or acute bronchial asthma; Concurrent or recent MAOI use (within 14 days); Known hypersensitivity to hydrocodone; Paralytic ileus or gastrointestinal obstruction
Relative
Concurrent benzodiazepine or CNS depressant use; Head injury or elevated intracranial pressure; Hepatic impairment; Severe renal impairment; CYP2D6 ultra-rapid metabolizer status; Pregnancy; Biliary tract disease or acute pancreatitis

Combinations62 recorded

Lethal (6)
Benzodiazepines, Barbiturates; GHB, Baclofen; GHB, GBL; Ketamine; Local anesthetics; Tramadol
Dangerous (39)
Antihistamines; Benzodiazepines; Buprenorphine, Kratom; Cannabis, THC; Gabapentin, Pregabalin; MDMA, Amphetamines; Naltrexone; NRIs; Stimulants; THC; 5-HTP, Tryptophan; Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist; Amphetamines; Anticholinergics; Antipsychotics; Atypical antipsychotics; Buspirone; Caffeine; Cannabis; CBD; Dopamine agonists; DXM; Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine; Glutamate modulator; and 15 more, see full page
Caution (12)
See full page: psychedex.org/substances/hydrocodone
Not graded (5)
Not listed never means safe.

Seek help immediately if

  • Unresponsive / can't be woken, even to a firm sternal rub
  • Slow, shallow, or stopped breathing
  • Pinpoint pupils
  • Blue/grey lips, fingertips, or skin (cyanosis)
  • Limp body; pale, clammy skin
  • Choking or gurgling sounds ("death rattle")
  • Slow, erratic, or absent pulse

What to do

  1. Try to wake them — shout their name, firm sternal rub
  2. Call emergency services immediately
  3. Administer naloxone if available
  4. Give rescue breaths (or CPR if there is no pulse)
  5. Place them in the recovery position
  6. Stay with them; re-dose naloxone every 2–3 minutes if there is no response
Reversal agent
Naloxone (Narcan) — opioid antagonist. May require repeated doses; its effect can wear off before the opioid does.

With prompt naloxone and rescue breathing, reversal is usually rapid. Because naloxone can wear off before the opioid — especially with long-acting opioids (methadone) or high-potency ones (fentanyl) — a period of monitoring is needed even after the person revives.

988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineFireside Project: 62-FIRESIDE

psychedex.org/substances/hydrocodone · Version r1 · Not medical adviceValues as of
On the printout