Background Information

-Hydrocodone is in the analgelsic drug class

-It is an opiate

-Hydrocodone is an effective anti-cough agent but it is mainly used as a painkiller

-Opiates have been used throughout history for both recreational and medical uses

-Hydrocodone is in schedule 2, but when it is mixed with other non-narcotic medicinal ingredients, it is schedule 3

-Considered to have similar effects to morphine

-In 1984, the FDA approved Vicodin, which is a mixture of hydrocodone and acetaminophen (most commonly abused form of hydrocodone)