Overview: Hydrocodone is a medicine taken to help treat pain. Hydrocodone is an opioid that binds to specific receptors in your body to give you pain relief. Common side effects may include. Hydrocodone belongs to the group of medicines called opioid analgesics (pain medicines). It acts on the central nervous system (CNS) to relieve pain, and stops or prevents cough. When hydrocodone is used for a long time, it may become habit-forming, causing mental or physical dependence. Explore the dangers of hydrocodone misuse, including adverse effects and overdose. Learn about signs of addiction, overdose symptoms, and treatment. Many commercial opiate screening tests react indiscriminately with hydrocodone, other opiates, and their metabolites, but chromatographic techniques can easily distinguish hydrocodone uniquely. Learn about the side effects of hydrocodone, from common to rare, for consumers and healthcare professionals. Hydrocodone is a very potent drug; if used accordingly, it can cure chronic pains due to injury, surgery, cancer treatment, etc. Their use can, however, present many potential hazards, as is the case with other opioids. Long-acting opioid pain medicines, such as hydrocodone bitartrate ER tablets, can put you at risk for overdose and death. Even if you take your dose correctly as prescribed, you are at risk for opioid addiction, abuse, and misuse that can lead to death. Hydrocodone is an orally administered, generic prescription opioid used for chronic pain management. Because of its potential to cause a fatal overdose if misused, following its dosing requirements is vital. Hydrocodone may cause serious or life-threatening breathing problems, especially during the first 24 to 72 hours of your treatment and any time your dose is increased. Hydrocodone can cause serious unwanted effects or fatal overdose if taken by children, pets, or adults who are not used to strong opioid pain medicines. Make sure you store the medicine in a safe and secure place to prevent others from getting it.