Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

US Brand Name

1. Hycodan
2. Hydromet
3. Tussigon

Descriptions

Hydrocodone and homatropine combination is used to relieve cough in adults and children 6 years of age and older. Hydrocodone is a narcotic antitussive (cough suppressant). It acts directly on the cough center in the brain to relieve cough.

When hydrocodone is used for a long time, it may become habit-forming, causing mental or physical dependence. However, people who have continuing cough and nasal congestion should not let the fear of dependence keep them from using narcotics to relieve their cough. Mental dependence (addiction) is not likely to occur when narcotics are used for this purpose. Physical dependence may lead to withdrawal side effects if treatment is stopped suddenly. However, severe withdrawal side effects can usually be prevented by gradually reducing the dose over a period of time before treatment is stopped completely.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

• Syrup
• Solution
• Tablet

Before Using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Use of hydrocodone and homatropine combination is not indicated in the pediatric population.

Geriatric

Although appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of hydrocodone and homatropine combination have not been performed in the geriatric population, no geriatric-specific problems have been documented to date. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney, liver, or lung problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving hydrocodone and homatropine combination.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Nalmefene
• Naltrexone
• Potassium Citrate
• Safinamide
• Samidorphan

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Abametapir
• Acepromazine
• Alfentanil
• Almotriptan
• Alprazolam
• Amantadine
• Amifampridine
• Amineptine
• Amiodarone
• Amitriptyline
• Amitriptylinoxide
• Amobarbital
• Amoxapine
• Amphetamine
• Amprenavir
• Anileridine
• Aprepitant
• Aripiprazole
• Armodafinil
• Asenapine
• Atazanavir
• Baclofen
• Benperidol
• Benzphetamine
• Boceprevir
• Bosentan
• Bromazepam
• Bromopride
• Brompheniramine
• Buprenorphine
• Bupropion
• Buspirone
• Butabarbital
• Butorphanol
• Calcium Oxybate
• Cannabidiol
• Cannabis
• Carbamazepine
• Carbinoxamine
• Carisoprodol
• Carphenazine
• Ceritinib
• Cetirizine
• Chloral Hydrate
• Chlordiazepoxide
• Chlorpheniramine
• Chlorpromazine
• Chlorzoxazone
• Ciprofloxacin
• Citalopram
• Clarithromycin
• Clobazam
• Clomipramine
• Clonazepam
• Clopidogrel
• Clorazepate
• Clozapine
• Cobicistat
• Cocaine
• Codeine
• Conivaptan
• Crizotinib
• Cyclobenzaprine
• Cyclosporine
• Daridorexant
• Darunavir
• Dasabuvir
• Delavirdine
• Desipramine
• Desmopressin
• Desvenlafaxine
• Dexamethasone
• Dexmedetomidine
• Dextroamphetamine
• Dextromethorphan
• Dezocine
• Diazepam
• Dibenzepin
• Dichloralphenazone
• Difenoxin
• Dihydrocodeine
• Diltiazem
• Diphenhydramine
• Diphenoxylate
• Dolasetron
• Donepezil
• Doxepin
• Doxylamine
• Dronedarone
• Droperidol
• Duloxetine
• Efavirenz
• Eletriptan
• Enflurane
• Enzalutamide
• Erythromycin
• Escitalopram
• Esketamine
• Eslicarbazepine Acetate
• Estazolam
• Eszopiclone
• Ethchlorvynol
• Ethopropazine
• Ethylmorphine
• Etravirine
• Fedratinib
• Fenfluramine
• Fentanyl
• Fexinidazole
• Flibanserin
• Fluconazole
• Fluoxetine
• Fluphenazine
• Flurazepam
• Fluspirilene
• Fluvoxamine
• Fosamprenavir
• Fosaprepitant
• Fosnetupitant
• Fosphenytoin
• Fospropofol
• Frovatriptan
• Furazolidone
• Gabapentin
• Gabapentin Enacarbil
• Gepirone
• Glucagon
• Glycopyrrolate
• Glycopyrronium Tosylate
• Granisetron
• Halazepam
• Haloperidol
• Halothane
• Hexobarbital
• Hydromorphone
• Hydroxytryptophan
• Hydroxyzine
• Idelalisib
• Imatinib
• Imipramine
• Indinavir
• Iproniazid
• Isocarboxazid
• Isoflurane
• Itraconazole
• Ivacaftor
• Ketamine
• Ketazolam
• Ketobemidone
• Ketoconazole
• Lacosamide
• Lasmiditan
• Lemborexant
• Lenacapavir
• LetibotulinumtoxinA-wlbg
• Levocetirizine
• Levomilnacipran
• Levorphanol
• Linezolid
• Lisdexamfetamine
• Lithium
• Lofepramine
• Lofexidine
• Lomitapide
• Lopinavir
• Lorazepam
• Lorcaserin
• Loxapine
• Lumacaftor
• Magnesium Oxybate
• Mavacamten
• Meclizine
• Melitracen
• Melperone
• Meperidine
• Mephobarbital
• Meprobamate
• Meptazinol
• Mesoridazine
• Metaxalone
• Methacholine
• Methadone
• Methamphetamine
• Methdilazine
• Methocarbamol
• Methohexital
• Methotrimeprazine
• Methylene Blue
• Metoclopramide
• Mibefradil
• Midazolam
• Mifepristone
• Milnacipran
• Mirtazapine
• Mitotane
• Moclobemide
• Modafinil
• Molindone
• Moricizine
• Morphine
• Morphine Sulfate Liposome
• Nafcillin
• Nalbuphine
• Naratriptan
• Nefazodone
• Nelfinavir
• Netupitant
• Nevirapine
• Nialamide
• Nicomorphine
• Nilotinib
• Nitrazepam
• Nitrous Oxide
• Nortriptyline
• Olanzapine
• Oliceridine
• Omaveloxolone
• Ombitasvir
• Ondansetron
• Opipramol
• Opium
• Opium Alkaloids
• Orphenadrine
• Oxazepam
• Oxcarbazepine
• Oxycodone
• Oxymorphone
• Ozanimod
• Palbociclib
• Palonosetron
• Papaveretum
• Paregoric
• Paritaprevir
• Paroxetine
• Pentazocine
• Pentobarbital
• Perampanel
• Perazine
• Periciazine
• Perphenazine
• Phenelzine
• Phenobarbital
• Phenytoin
• Piperacetazine
• Pipotiazine
• Piritramide
• Posaconazole
• Potassium Oxybate
• Prazepam
• Prednisone
• Pregabalin
• Primidone
• Procarbazine
• Prochlorperazine
• Promazine
• Promethazine
• Propofol
• Protriptyline
• Quazepam
• Quetiapine
• Ramelteon
• Ranitidine
• Ranolazine
• Rasagiline
• Remifentanil
• Remimazolam
• Remoxipride
• Revefenacin
• Rifabutin
• Rifampin
• Rifapentine
• Ritonavir
• Rizatriptan
• Ropeginterferon Alfa-2b-njft
• Saquinavir
• Scopolamine
• Secobarbital
• Secretin Human
• Selegiline
• Sertindole
• Sertraline
• Sibutramine
• Sodium Oxybate
• St John's Wort
• Sufentanil
• Sulpiride
• Sumatriptan
• Suvorexant
• Tapentadol
• Telaprevir
• Telithromycin
• Temazepam
• Thiethylperazine
• Thiopental
• Thiopropazate
• Thioridazine
• Tianeptine
• Tilidine
• Tiotropium
• Tizanidine
• Tolonium Chloride
• Topiramate
• Tramadol
• Tranylcypromine
• Trazodone
• Triazolam
• Trifluoperazine
• Trifluperidol
• Triflupromazine
• Trimeprazine
• Trimipramine
• Tryptophan
• Venlafaxine
• Verapamil
• Vilazodone
• Voriconazole
• Vortioxetine
• Zaleplon
• Ziprasidone
• Zolmitriptan
• Zolpidem
• Zopiclone
• Zotepine
• Zuranolone

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

• Ethanol
• Grapefruit Juice

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Acute pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas) or
• Addison's disease (adrenal gland problem) or
• Alcohol abuse, or history of or
• Brain tumor, history of or
• Drug dependence, especially narcotic abuse or dependence, or history of or
• Enlarged prostate (eg, BPH, prostatic hypertrophy) or
• Gallbladder disease or
• Head injury, history of or
• Increased pressure in the head or
• Lung or breathing problems (eg, COPD) or
• Narrow-angle glaucoma or
• Problems with passing urine or
• Thyroid disease or
• Weakened physical condition—Use with caution. May increase risk for more serious side effects.

• Asthma, acute or severe or
• Respiratory depression (very slow breathing) or
• Stomach or bowel blockage (eg, paralytic ileus), known or suspected—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.

• Hypotension (low blood pressure)—Use with caution. May make this condition worse.

• Kidney disease, severe or
• Liver disease, severe—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.

Proper Use

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. If too much of this medicine is taken for a long time, it may become habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence) or cause an overdose.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

Measure the oral liquid correctly using the marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid. Ask your pharmacist for instructions for measuring the correct dose of this medicine.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For relief of cough:
  • For oral dosage form (solution):
    • Adults—5 milliliters (mL) every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Do not take more than 30 mL in 24 hours.
    • Children—Use is not recommended.
  • For oral dosage form (tablets):
    • Adults—1 tablet every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Do not take more than 6 tablets in 24 hours.
    • Children—Use is not recommended.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Drop off any unused narcotic medicine at a drug take-back location right away. If you do not have a drug take-back location near you, flush any unused narcotic medicine down the toilet. Check your local drug store and clinics for take-back locations. You can also check the DEA web site for locations. Here is the link to the FDA safe disposal of medicines website: www.fda.gov/drugs/resourcesforyou/consumers/buyingusingmedicinesafely/ensuringsafeuseofmedicine/safedisposalofmedicines/ucm186187.htm

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your or your child's progress while you are using this medicine. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it. If your cough does not improve or if it gets worse within 5 days, call your doctor.

Do not use this medicine if you are using or have used an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) such as Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, or Parnate® within the past 14 days.

This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that can make you drowsy or less alert). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for allergies or colds, sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine, other prescription pain medicine or narcotics, medicine for seizures or barbiturates, muscle relaxants, or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your doctor before taking any of these medicines while you are using this medicine.

If you think you or someone else may have taken an overdose of this medicine, get emergency help at once. Symptoms of an overdose include: extreme dizziness or weakness, trouble breathing, slow heartbeat or breathing, seizures, and cold, clammy skin. In case of an overdose, call your doctor right away.

This medicine may be habit-forming. If you feel that the medicine is not working as well, do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor for instructions.

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

Using narcotics for a long time can cause severe constipation. To prevent this, your doctor may direct you to take laxatives, drink a lot of fluids, or increase the amount of fiber in your diet. Be sure to follow the directions carefully, because continuing constipation can lead to more serious problems.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur when you get up suddenly from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help lessen this problem. Also, lying down for a while may relieve the dizziness or lightheadedness.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant may cause serious unwanted effects, including neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome in your newborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you think you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.

This medicine may cause adrenal insufficiency. Check with your doctor right away if you have darkening of the skin, diarrhea, dizziness, fainting, loss of appetite, mental depression, nausea, skin rash, unusual tiredness or weakness, or vomiting.

If you are especially sensitive to the effects of this medicine, do not suddenly stop using it without first checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping it completely. This may help reduce the possibility of withdrawal symptoms, such as abdominal or stomach cramps, anxiety, fever, nausea, runny nose, sweating, tremors, or trouble sleeping.

Using too much of this medicine may cause infertility (unable to have children). Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children.

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

1. Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
2. unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness

Incidence not known

1. Agitation
2. bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
3. blurred vision
4. change in the ability to see colors, especially blue or yellow
5. chills
6. confusion
7. constipation
8. constricted, pinpoint, or small pupils (black part of the eye)
9. cough
10. cough producing mucus
11. dark urine
12. decrease in the frequency of urination
13. decrease in urine volume
14. diarrhea
15. difficult, painful, or troubled breathing
16. difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)
17. difficulty swallowing
18. discouragement
19. dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
20. double vision
21. feeling sad or empty
22. fever
23. general feeling of tiredness or weakness
24. headache
25. hives, itching, skin rash
26. hoarseness
27. indigestion
28. irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
29. irritability
30. lack of appetite
31. loss of consciousness
32. loss of interest or pleasure
33. lower back or side pain
34. muscle aches
35. nausea
36. nervousness
37. overactive reflexes
38. pain or cramping in the stomach
39. painful urination
40. pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
41. pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
42. poor coordination
43. pounding in the ears
44. puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
45. rapid weight gain
46. restlessness
47. seeing double
48. seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
49. seizures
50. shakiness and unsteady walk
51. shivering
52. sore throat
53. sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
54. stuffy or runny nose
55. talking or acting with excitement you cannot control
56. tightness in the chest
57. tingling of the hands or feet
58. trembling or shaking
59. trouble concentrating
60. trouble sleeping
61. twitching
62. uncontrolled movements of the face
63. unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
64. unusual bleeding or bruising
65. unusual weight gain or loss
66. vomiting
67. yellow eyes or skin

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

1. Difficult or troubled breathing
2. irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
3. pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

1. Dry mouth

Incidence not known

1. Back pain
2. decreased appetite
3. difficulty in moving
4. drowsiness
5. false or unusual sense of well-being
6. fear or nervousness
7. feeling of warmth
8. increased sweating
9. joint pain
10. mood changes
11. muscle pain or stiffness
12. redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper chest
13. relaxed and calm
14. sleepiness
15. trouble getting pregnant

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Portions of this document last updated: April 01, 2024

Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/hydrocodone-and-homatropine-oral-route/before-using/drg-20406079