Hycodan

Introduction

Written by Julz Richterman, PharmD, MBA, BCGP
Medically reviewed by Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA
Updated on September 15, 2023

Hydromet is a brand-name medication prescribed for relieving cough in adults. Hydromet belongs to a group of drugs called opioid cough suppressants.

Boxed warnings

Hydromet has boxed warnings, which are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These include:

• risk of misuse and addiction
• risk of serious respiratory depression
• risk of accidental ingestion
• risk of medication errors
• risk of serious harm if taken with certain drugs or alcohol
• risk of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome

For details, see the “Interactions and warnings for Hydromet” section.

Uses of Hydromet

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Hydromet for certain conditions. Approved uses for Hydromet are described below.

Use for cough

Doctors may prescribe Hydromet liquid solution for relieving cough. It’s used for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as short-term treatment.

A cough is a reflex that helps remove mucus, germs, or other irritants from your lungs. When something bothers your lungs, a signal is sent to the cough center in your brain. This sends a signal back to your body to cough and clear your lungs.

There are several causes of cough, including:

• upper respiratory tract infection, such as congestion or postnasal drip
• lower respiratory tract infection, such as pneumonia or bronchitis
• allergies
• acid reflux
• certain medications

Hydromet is only used to relieve coughing. It doesn’t treat the cause of your cough. So your doctor may prescribe other medications that treat the source of your cough.

Doctors may not prescribe Hydromet liquid solution in certain situations. This includes children under 18 years or when the risks of taking Hydromet are more than the benefits.

Side effects of Hydromet

Hydromet may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of Hydromet and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about Hydromet’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for Hydromet listed in the “Resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with Hydromet are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about Hydromet’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for Hydromet listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Hydromet’s mild side effects include:

• tiredness
• decreased physical or mental ability
• lightheadedness or dizziness
• dry mouth
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for Hydromet” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of Hydromet are listed below.  

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about Hydromet’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for Hydromet listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, Hydromet’s serious side effects include:

• central nervous system (CNS) depression, which can affect your ability to do certain activities including driving a car or operating machinery
• adrenal gland problems
• mental health side effects, including depression
• urinary retention (inability to fully empty the bladder)
• severe low blood pressure
• boxed warnings:*
  • risk of misuse and addiction
  • risk of serious respiratory depression
  • risk of accidental ingestion
  • risk of medication errors
  • risk of serious harm if taken with certain drugs or alcohol
  • risk of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for Hydromet” section.

Interactions and warnings for Hydromet

Below you’ll find information about Hydromet’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of Hydromet

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take Hydromet, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for Hydromet” section below.

Warnings for Hydromet

Some people should not take Hydromet, and others should take it cautiously.

Boxed warnings

Hydromet has boxed warnings about the risks of:

• misuse and addiction
• serious respiratory depression
• accidental ingestion
• medication errors
• serious harm if taken with certain drugs or alcohol
• neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome

Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

To learn more about these warnings, read below. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Risk of misuse and addiction. With misuse, a drug is taken in a way other than how it’s prescribed. With addiction, you feel unable to stop taking a drug, even if it’s causing harm.

Misuse is possible with Hydromet since it contains hydrocodone, which is an opioid drug. And opioid drugs have a higher risk of misuse due to the way they work in your brain.

Misusing Hydromet may lead to overdose or death. You should only take Hydromet as prescribed by your doctor. For details about overdose and Hydromet, see the “Overdose of Hydromet” section below.

If you have concerns about misusing or becoming addicted to Hydromet, tell your doctor. They’ll be able to address your concerns or recommend another treatment.

Risk of serious respiratory depression. Serious respiratory depression is when your breathing slows or becomes irregular. If respiratory depression is not treated immediately, it could lead to respiratory arrest (stopped breathing) or death.

Symptoms of respiratory depression include shortness of breath, slow and shallow breathing, and feeling confused or disoriented.

Respiratory depression can happen at any time, but certain factors increase your risk of having it. These include:

• the first 24 to 72 hours of starting Hydromet treatment
• taking other medications that cause respiratory depression
• having chronic lung conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• being an older adult (ages 65 years or older)

Call 911 or a local emergency number immediately if you experience symptoms of respiratory depression. If you experience any symptoms, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend you stop taking Hydromet.

Risk of accidental ingestion. Accidental ingestion of even one dose of Hydromet can lead to respiratory depression or death, especially in children. Be sure to keep this medication out of reach of children.

If you think you or someone you know accidentally ingested Hydromet, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Risk of medication errors. Medication errors, such as dosing errors of Hydromet can lead to accidental overdoses and death. (For details about overdose and Hydromet, see the “Overdose of Hydromet” section below.)

Before starting treatment, your doctor or pharmacist will give you an accurate measuring device. Be sure to use this device when taking your dose. Other measuring tools, such as a household teaspoon, will not measure your dose correctly. So you should not use them with Hydromet.

If you have questions about how to take your dose of Hydromet, be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Risk of serious harm if taken with certain drugs or alcohol. If you take Hydromet with certain medications, sedation (overly tired or falling asleep), respiratory depression, coma, or death can happen. These medications include other opioids and benzodiazepines, which slow down your brain and nervous system. It also includes central nervous system (CNS) depressants, such as alcohol.

Before taking Hydromet, tell your doctor if you’re taking any of these medications. They’ll likely recommend a different cough suppressant for you.

Risk of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome. To learn more about this risk, see the “Pregnancy or breastfeeding and Hydromet” section below.

Other warnings

Hydromet could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether Hydromet is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for Hydromet, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Hydromet can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Hydromet or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Hydromet. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to Hydromet, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of Hydromet

If you take Hydromet by mouth, you should not take more Hydromet than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much Hydromet, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and Hydromet

Information about Hydromet and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Hydromet and pregnancy

Hydromet should not be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may suggest birth control options to use during treatment with Hydromet.

Risk of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome

Hydromet has a boxed warning for neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS). A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). With NOWS, a newborn experiences opioid withdrawal symptoms after birth. Withdrawal symptoms can occur when you stop taking a drug your body is dependent on. Dependence means the body needs the drug to function like usual.

NOWS can occur because Hydromet crosses the placenta. So taking Hydromet for a long time during pregnancy can cause withdrawal symptoms in a newborn after birth. This is because once the child is born, they will no longer be exposed to the drug.

Symptoms of NOWS may include:

• irritability
• tremor
• vomiting or diarrhea
• hyperactivity or unusual sleep pattern
• high pitched cry

The length and severity of NOWS depends on many factors. If you are currently taking Hydromet, tell your doctor before birthing. They’ll be able to monitor your child for NOWS.

Hydromet and breastfeeding

Hydromet should not be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with Hydromet.

Common questions about Hydromet

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about Hydromet.

Will I experience certain side effects when stopping Hydromet?

There are generally no side effects when stopping Hydromet after short-term use. But if you’ve been taking the drug long term, dependence can happen. Dependence means the body needs the drug to function like usual. Withdrawal symptoms can occur when you stop taking a drug your body is dependent on.

Withdrawal symptoms include:

• restlessness
• sweating or chills
• vomiting or diarrhea
• back pain or muscle aches
• mood changes

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your risk of experiencing withdrawal symptoms when stopping Hydromet treatment.

Is Hydromet safe for older adults?

Older adults (ages 65 years or older) should use Hydromet with caution. Studies have not been done in this age group. But older adults may be more sensitive to side effects of Hydromet. This includes respiratory depression (slow, shallow breathing),* sedation (overly tired or falling asleep), and low blood pressure.

Many older adults have decreased kidney function. Your kidneys help clear drugs, such as Hydromet, from your body. So if you’re an older adult, your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of Hydromet. Or they may recommend you take Hydromet less often.

Talk with your doctor to discuss if Hydromet is a good option for you.

* Hydromet has a boxed warning for risk of respiratory depression. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For more details, see the “Interactions and warnings for Hydromet” section.

How does Hydromet work? And how long does it take to start working?

Hydromet is a combination of two active ingredients: Hydrocodone and homatropine. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.

• Hydrocodone works to relieve your cough. It works in your brain and stops your brain from telling your body to cough.
• Homatropine helps prevent drug misuse.* With misuse, a drug is taken in a way other than how it’s prescribed. Misuse is possible with Hydromet since it’s an opioid drug. And opioid drugs have a higher risk of misuse due to the way they work in your brain.

* Hydromet has a boxed warning for risk of misuse. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For more details, see the “Interactions and warnings for Hydromet” section.

Hydromet usually starts working within 30–60 minutes of taking it.

If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know if you have questions about Hydromet or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Can I safely take Hydromet with my other medications?
• Can I drive or operate other machinery while taking Hydromet?
• What should I do if I miss a dose of Hydromet?
• What is the best way to dispose of unused Hydromet?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Hydromet — hydrocodone bitartrate and homatropine methylbromide solution. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/a324c912-a3ef-4296-b9a8-b0fec687eb06/spl-doc

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.