Historical Mallinckrodt hydrocodone/acetaminophen 5 mg/500 mg combination tablet; not a hydrocodone-only extended-release product.
Elbreapoly · Public domain
About Hydrocodone
Hydrocodone is an opioid pain medicine. Single-ingredient extended-release products differ from combination pain tablets.
Also searched as: Hydrocodone · Vicodin · Norco · Lortab
Available strengths
Strength is the amount in a tablet, capsule, liquid or patch. Different formulations are listed separately.
| Product & formulation | Strengths |
|---|---|
| Hydrocodone bitartrate Extended-release oral tablet | 20 mg · 30 mg · 40 mg · 60 mg · 80 mg · 100 mg · 120 mg Higher strengths have opioid-tolerance restrictions; not an immediate-release combination tablet. Product label · Checked 2026-10-31 |
| Hydrocodone bitartrate Extended-release oral capsule | 10 mg · 15 mg · 20 mg · 30 mg · 40 mg · 50 mgProduct label · Checked 2026-10-31 |
Buy Hydrocodone: pricing & legal access
Hydrocodone online: availability & product information
Saved U.S. price estimates from Drugs.com for the exact products and quantities below. These are dated estimates, not live pharmacy quotes or insurance copays. Discounts and local availability vary.
| Product / strength | Quantity | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Generic hydrocodone bitartrate 10 mg Extended-release oral capsule | 60 capsules | $427.16 Drugs.com published cash estimate Drugs.com price guide Checked 2026-10-31 |
Prices refer to medication only; consultation, administration and monitoring costs may be additional. Prescription products require a valid prescription and a licensed pharmacy. Check the exact formulation before comparing offers.
Hydrocodone information
Uses and formulations
Prescribed for severe pain in selected patients. Some combination products also contain acetaminophen, which adds a separate liver-toxicity risk.
Sources: MedlinePlus — Hydrocodone
Side effects and serious risks
Constipation, nausea and sleepiness can occur. Dependence, overdose and dangerously slow breathing are important risks, including when treatment begins or changes.
Sources: MedlinePlus — Hydrocodone
Dosage and directions
Follow the exact prescription. Never crush or chew an extended-release product. A dose from one formulation cannot be transferred to another.
Sources: MedlinePlus — Hydrocodone
Interactions and precautions
Alcohol, benzodiazepines and other sedatives can compound breathing suppression. Ask the prescriber about overdose-reversal medicine and safe storage.
Sources: MedlinePlus — Hydrocodone
U.S. federal classification
Listed federally in Schedule II. Classification does not by itself establish that a particular product is approved or that an online transaction is lawful. State requirements and product-specific rules also apply.
Sources: DEA — Controlled substances alphabetical list (October 2026)
Pharmacology and mechanism
Hydrocodone is an opioid receptor agonist. Effects on pain signaling occur alongside effects on breathing, alertness and bowel function. Tolerance to one effect does not eliminate the risk of another.
Sources: DailyMed — Hydrocodone extended-release prescribing information
Formulations and product identification
The active ingredient alone does not describe a finished product. These distinctions matter when reading a label or comparing prescriptions.
| Product or formulation | Important distinction |
|---|---|
| Extended-release hydrocodone | Designed for prolonged delivery; not a combination acetaminophen tablet. |
| Hydrocodone/acetaminophen | Contains two active ingredients; acetaminophen exposure must be counted separately. |
Sources: DailyMed — Hydrocodone extended-release prescribing information
Monitoring and treatment follow-up
Follow-up assesses pain relief, daily function, sedation and adverse effects. A change in another medicine can alter hydrocodone exposure, so review new prescriptions and supplements as well as the pain medicine itself.
Sources: DailyMed — Hydrocodone extended-release prescribing information
Dependence and stopping treatment
Physical dependence can develop with ongoing exposure. Abrupt discontinuation can produce withdrawal; treatment changes are individualized. Dependence is not identical to opioid use disorder, which involves a broader pattern of impaired control and harm.
Sources: DailyMed — Hydrocodone extended-release prescribing information
How it differs from related medicines
Hydrocodone and oxycodone are different opioids. Matching tablet numbers or milligrams does not establish equivalent treatment. A combination pain tablet also cannot be compared with a single-ingredient product using only the opioid name.
Sources: DailyMed — Hydrocodone extended-release prescribing information
Sources and editorial notes
Prepared by DrugRX using the references linked below. Sources were consulted on 2026-10-31. This page has not been independently reviewed by a clinician. Research findings, medication approval and legal permission are separate questions.
- MedlinePlus — Hydrocodone
- DEA — Controlled substances alphabetical list (October 2026)
- DailyMed — Hydrocodone extended-release prescribing information
- DailyMed — Hydrocodone ER capsules product label
- Drugs.com — hydrocodone price guide
Legal information is a dated U.S. reference. Product rules and local laws may change. Where the evidence does not establish a dose, interaction profile or price, the page states that limitation.