Your dog’s been prescribed hydrocodone — but what is it and what is it used for? Here’s everything you need to know.
Hydrocodone bitartrate (also known under the brand names Tussigon, Hycodan, Vicodin, Norco, and Lortabs) is a powerful narcotic similar to morphine that’s prescribed to treat pain and coughing caused by respiratory conditions. Hydrocodone is used as a cough suppressant, or antitussive agent, in both human and canine medicine. It takes effect quickly, usually in about one to two hours. Here’s what you need to know about hydrocodone for dogs.
Veterinarians may prescribe hydrocodone for dogs that suffer from chronic coughing, which is usually caused by a respiratory condition or injury to the bronchial or tracheal tracts. It can be prescribed for conditions like:
Hydrocodone is a powerful opiate and can cause some dogs to experience side effects including:
As with any medication, there are certain cases where hydrocodone should be avoided. It shouldn’t be given to pets that are allergic to narcotics or pets suffering from diarrhea caused by a toxin. It should also be avoided if your pet has sustained a head injury or has an active bacterial infection of the lungs.
Use hydrocodone with extreme caution if your pet is suffering from heart or lung disease, kidney disease, Addison’s disease, low thyroid function, sudden abdominal conditions, or increased intracranial pressure. You should also be careful when giving hydrocodone to older, pregnant, nursing, or debilitated pets, and make sure their treatment is strictly monitored by a veterinarian.
🚨 Never give your pet hydrocodone unless directly prescribed by your veterinarian.
Always tell your vet about any other medications your pet might be taking, including vitamins, supplements, or herbal therapies. A few rules of thumb when giving hydrocodone include:
Many chronic conditions are covered by pet insurance. Find the best one for you with our guide on pet insurance today.
Hydrocodone is given by mouth in the form of a tablet or liquid solution. If your dog vomits after receiving this medication on an empty stomach, try giving them their next dose with a meal or a treat.
If you accidentally miss a dose, don’t double up on the next one. Give it when you remember, unless it’s already close to the time for the next dose, in which case you can just pick up the regular schedule from there. Always space out doses according to the instructions on the label or per your vet’s instructions.
Dogs commonly take 5 milligrams (mg) doses of hydrocodone in the form of tablets or syrup. It’s also available in 10 mg extended-release or combination form with drugs like homatropine or acetaminophen, though acetaminophen has been shown to cause anemia in dogs. It’s typically given four times a day or less, as needed, with one dose lasting between 6 and 12 hours.
Dogs should not be given ibuprofen (Advil), acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin, or any other pain reliever made for human use. Many companies make pet-specific pain medications that are safer and more effective for dogs, including carprofen (Rimadyl), Deramaxx, Previcox, and meloxicam.
Hydrocodone should never be administered to cats, as it can negatively affect their central nervous systems. Hydrocodone is also commonly mixed with drugs like acetaminophen (Trusted Source) , which is not safe for cats at any dose.
Hydrocodone is generally safe and effective when prescribed by a veterinarian, but it can still cause side effects in some pets. The veterinary use of hydrocodone isn’t explicitly approved by the FDA, but it is permitted under the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act of 1994. Many human-labeled drugs are used “off-label” or “extra-label” (Trusted Source) in veterinary medicine because there are relatively few animal-labeled drugs out there. Always make sure to follow your vet’s instructions and warnings carefully when giving your pet off-label medicine.
