Hydrocodone?

maryppantser · September 2014

anyone else been prescribed hydrocodone for chronic migraines? I've not had a single day without a migraine since my 6th week of pregnancy. Tylenol and Tylenol extra strength don't even sneeze at helping the pain. so my OB prescribed me hydrocodone 5s yesterday. I waited until yesterday evening when my 4 year old son was in bed and I knew I wouldn't be driving to take one so I could see how they would affect me. They make me feel slightly drunk but not as bad as I was afraid. Now I'm just really worried about what it can do to my baby boy? I mean if I can't take ibuprofen (which I swear would fix my migraines) why is it safe to take hydrocodone? I'm a total anxious freak this pregnancy worrying over every single thing with this baby so I try not to post too often so I'm not an irritating crazy person asking a lot of stupid questions, but what do you ladies think about opiates during pregnancy? I know it's a small dosage and I need to be able to function and these migraines were really crippling my ability to do day to day things but still....

Sorry for the novel yall!

michelle142 · September 2014

Hydrocodone is a stronger version of acetaminophen (Tylenol). Hydrocodone is safe in small dosage amounts.

If it wasn't safe, I very highly doubt your OB would prescribe it to you at all.

ETA: Disclaimer: I'm not a Dr. and don't claim to be. Not even on the interwebz.

MapleMomma · September 2014

Agreed. Its just a variation of Tylenol. Your Ob should know and you can always call your ob with concerns. Hope your migraines get better!

edit- I think my non clinical statement wasn't well stated. What I was trying to say was that it has Tylenol in it vs ibuprofen and that your on would be the best source of information.

aar166 · September 2014

Hydrocodone is not a variation of Tylenol, its a narcotic that Tylenol is added to because the Tylenol helps to increase the effectiveness. Hydrocodone aka vicodin and other variations contains an opiod.

Tylenol is considered pregnancy category B which states "animal studies have not demonstrated a risk to the fetus OR adequate studies in pregnant women have not demonstrated a risk to the fetus."

Opiods are considered a pregnancy category C which states "animal studies have shown an adverse on the fetus but there are no adequate studies in humans; the benefits from the use of the drug in pregnant women may be acceptable despite its potential risks."

My suggestion to you would be question your OB or get a second opinion from your family doctor and discuss whether the benefits of taking this med outweigh risks. I'm not saying your OB is wrong for prescribing it, I'm just saying do your homework and be informed.

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foxslaw · September 2014

My OB doesn't prescribe it for the reasons @aar166‌ stated..however, my boyfriend's aunt's OBGYN prescribed it to her...Sooo, I don't know. Think it just depends on your doctor, what you're comfortable with & how conservative you guys are being VS the actual need of the medication.

schnitz9 · September 2014

I agree with @aar166 hydrocodone is a narcotic painkiller not Tylenol. I have bad migraines and my doc prescribed fioricet. It is a stronger pain reliever. It is a cat C but non-opiate. The way it is formulated is 50 mg Butalbital 325 mg Acetaminophen 40 mg caffeine. Works really great when I feel a headache coming on.

MommyOfAMiracle · September 2014

I was prescribed hydrocodone (vicoden) for my migraines during pregnancy. Went to urgent care for a lung virus on Sunday and the physician upped my dosage from vicoden to norco, (strong than vicoden). As long as you are not taking them with the tylenol you should be ok. Don't worry yourself. I think as long as you aren't taking 5 a day, you're fine.

I take a half at a time, when needed. I'm sure you'll be ok.

Angeldcf · September 2014

Re: why ibuprofen is not recommended during pg (ESPECIALLY 3rd tri):

Ibuprofen has been assigned by the FDA to pregnancy category C prior to 30 weeks gestation and pregnancy category D at greater than or equal to 30 weeks gestation. Animal studies have failed to reveal evidence of developmental abnormalities. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. While there are no literature reports linking the use of ibuprofen in pregnancy with birth defects, use of ibuprofen at greater than or equal to 30 weeks gestation may cause premature closure of the ductus arteriosus and prolong labor and delivery. Ibuprofen should only be given during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk and should be avoided on or after 30 weeks gestation

ETA source: https://www.drugs.com/pregnancy/ibuprofen.html

StephanieLBerg · September 2014

As a pharmacy tech I get these questions all the time. Hydrocodone 5s only have 5mg of Opium content and roughly 325mg of acetaminophen (or Tylenol). Taking one or two per day won't affect your baby's health any worse than it will affect yours. Now the difference between Norcos and Hydrocodones is that the smallest dose of Hydrocodone is 5s, whereas Norcos come in 7.5s or greater, but keep the same 325mg of acetaminophen. Other than that, both medications have the same fillers, however, Hydrocodone has been known to make some people itchy while taking it, I am one of those people.

I wouldn't sweat the effects as they are minimal in comparison to the side effects of dealing with a constant migraine every day. Your OB wouldn't have prescribed you something that would pose a greater risk than 1% to your baby. You're fine :-)

HailsMom · September 2014

I work for a pain management company and asked the dr here in my office for confirmation - he wasn't even comfortable telling me yes or no, so he asked one of the other doctors that is willing to work with pregnant women - waiting to get an answer back.

I personally wouldn't take it and aar166 gave a pretty good synopsis of why not.

Also, the reason you shouldn't take ibuprofen or any other NSAID is because it can cause the Ductus Arteriosus to close early. This is a little "hole" in the between the chambers of the heart that allows oxygenated blood to circulate in baby's body. It closes at or soon after birth, but should remain patent while in the womb.

chicagojackie · September 2014

@michelle142‌ and @MapleMomma‌ while well meaning are incorrect.

Tylenol (acetaminophen) is a non-opioid medication that works on prostaglandins in the central nervous system (brain/spinal cord) and in the brain for anti-fever.

Hydrocodone is an opiate painkiller that binds to opioid receptors in the central nervous system. The main risk would be more close to delivery and would be the concern that the baby wouldn't breathe great once cord was cut if you had taken maybe 2-3 tablets within 30-45 minutes of delivery.

There is also a theoretical risk of heart defects if taken in the first trimester but since you're on this board you should be >14 wks so no big deal there. Take the smallest dose you need. Side effects for you are dose dependent.

There is also the theoretical risk of neonatal dependence and withdrawal once born if you are taking > 3-4 of those pills a day through the rest of your pregnancy, not unlike moms on methadone.

Never take ibuprofen in pregnancy. You got some correct info above from @hailsmom so I wouldn't restate it.

In your case you need the hydrocodone so you can rest and find relief. Your OB is doing the right thing.

michelle142 · September 2014

@chicagojackie I was basing my statement off of the hydro/Tylenol combo, so it's basically jacked up Tylenol/acetaminophen

HailsMom · September 2014

I was going to come on here and let you know that our Dr got back to me and said that it is safe, but you should avoid long term use in the 3rd trimester, but @chicagojackie pretty much beat me to it.

I personally would probably try to get away with not taking it, but that being said, if the pain from the migraines is bad enough, that could be putting a lot of stress on your body and causing your blood pressure to rise, which also isn't good for the baby. Your have to find a balance you are comfortable with.

chicagojackie · September 2014

@michelle142 still incorrect. The combos are two different drugs with two different side effect profiles and mechanisms of action.

Tylenol has none of the associated risks that the opioid family does. They are not even the same class of drug so to say it is "jacked up Tylenol" is just plain incorrect and misleading.

Either way patients can get plain hydrocodone by itself without acetaminophen. This eliminates the risk of concomitant acetaminophen overdose when people combine the combo tabs with OTC acetaminophen.

MapleMomma · September 2014

@chicagojackie‌ thanks for the clarification for other readers. I edited my comment because the non clinical way I was trying to explain did not come across right at all. Thanks for the additional information!

michelle142 · September 2014

Oh FFS I never said I was a Dr. To me, it's "jacked up tylenol".

OP, take it if you feel comfortable doing so. If not, don't take it and find an alternate solution. You do what's best for you.

chicagojackie · September 2014

Anytime @MapleMomma‌

You don't have to be a doctor @michelle142 you just need to not speak about things you don't know about

there are lots of medical professionals around here.

michelle142 · September 2014

Fine, fine. Take my jacked up tylenol advice as wrong. I'll admit I don't know enough to offer a medical opinion.

Schooled by @chicagojackie !

Maple403 · September 2014

Honestly, it's important to do your own research so that you know what questions to ask your doctor. That being said- also recognize that your OB makes it their life work to know what to give pregnant ladies and what not to give them. If your OB recommends that you use it, then don't beat yourself up over it. As other posters have said, pain management in pregnancy is all about risk/benefit.

chicagojackie · September 2014

Lol @michelle142 takes a great woman to admit when she's wrong. Great gif. Big up yourself

schnitz9 · September 2014

sarabell52 said:
I was prescribed Fioricet for my headaches like one of the PPs. It contains butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine and is a Category C. My OB practice considers it safe, but I still try to only take it when absolutely freaking necessary.

Sorry you're having migraines. Do what you think is right.

I'm too only taking it as needed. No side effects which is great too. Didn't want to take the hydrocodone as I've taken it in the past and it made me drousy and very itchy. Also like other opiates made me very constipated. OP if u do have any side effects ask your doc about the fioricet. It comes with caffeine or without. Been on it almost a month now and works like a charm.

maryppantser · September 2014

Well haven't ever had constipation with opiates all though my husband did have that issue when he was prescribed them so I think I'm safe on that. I love the medical comments they made me feel comfortable cause my dads a nurse and it was like I was reading what he would be telling me. I know opiates aren't the same as acetaminophen and i do have a prescription that is 5mg opiat and 325 mg acetaminophen although thank you for the well meaning comments.

I appreciate the information on why I can't take ibuprofen I had always just assumed you couldn't take it cause it was a blood thinner. Lol

Will definitely be asking about fioricet since it comes without caffeine as well. I can't seem to take any kind of medicine that has caffeine with it or else my blood pressure spikes was through the roof.

I've taken my medicine twice today and it's prescribed every 4 hours although I went 9. I'm trying to not take it unless I absolutely have to cause it does make me just a tad bit queasy. But I'm so grateful to have it at this point because this is the first relief I've had in 4 months and it's like a whole new world. Thank yall for helping me through this and not bashing me for taking an opiate. I have a friend that I told about being prescribed this and she just lost her damn mind and "couldn't believe you would hurt your own child with that crap" all over me so I'm glad to have people to give me actual educated opinions and advice rather than just tear me down for wanting some relief from this pain. I love this group thanks yall

Sahara6971 · September 2014

maryppantser

how dare you take that stuff!

Kidding of course. Ugggh, migraines are no joke. I just went to a neurologist for my migraines. He said to take the Tylenol 3 my OB prescribed (as needed) combined w/ caffeine. He did also mention Botox as an option if nothing else worked. That and a couple of other drugs that I can't remember the names of that were a safe option during pregnancy. If you continue to get them, maybe seeing a neurologist would help you as well. Just a suggestion.

Glad you are feeling some relief!

HerHighness · September 2014

I have chronic migraines and hydrocodone is what i take when im not pregnant. I was taken off all meds for first trimester and afterwards was prescribed fioricet by my dr as he feels vicodin (hydrocodone) is unsafe. Norco is similiar to vicodin but has less acetaminophen. I wouldn't call either of them a stronger version of Tylenol. I would consider both of the codiene with differing amounts of Tylenol as a buffer.

Every dr is different.

TCheyz · September 2014

I ended up with kidney stones over the weekend and for pain relief they gave me a prescription for hydrocodone. I asked a few doctors while at the hospital and they said just take it as needed. I haven't had to take any thank god but I did receive morphine in the hospital. The doctors would not give you something that would be harmful but if you are worried ask other doctors.

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