Hydrocodone Research Paper

Hydrocodone is a popular drug used to relieve pain or to suppress coughing. This drug is a close relative to Codeine, which is also a painkiller. Hydrocodone has been around for about 95 yeas and it has made its way to the second most abused drug in the United States. So how did this drug make its way from a medical breakthrough to a highly abused substance? Hydrocodone was first created by a German pharmaceutical company known as Knoll. It was created in the 1920’s by simply attaching a hydrogen molecule to codeine molecules. They created this drug so it would be less toxic and easier on the stomach versus people taking Codeine. A lot of people were also getting addicted to Codeine so they tried making a less addictive pain killer. However the animals tested with Hydrocodone showed a euphoric state. Which would later cause a lot of problems for Hydrocodone users. As the years have gone by many people have become addicted to Hydrocodone. This addiction occurs because when Hydrocodone is taken it creates a euphoria, or an uplifted mood. It has become the second most abused drug in the United States besides Oxytocin. In August of 2014 the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) classified Hydrocodone as a Schedule 2 drug. Which means that this drug is highly addictive and shouldn't be prescribed as freely. The effects of a Hydrocodone …show more content…
Being addicted to Hydrocodone can make a person be unusually cheery, or anxious. It can also cause sleepiness, social withdrawal, loss of interest in previously enjoyed things, financial problems, borrowing money or medicine from others. It can also make people feel lightheaded, dizzy, itchy. Along with those nausea and vomiting, dry throat, rashes, blood clotting, and pupil constriction can also occur. It also goes by the names hydro, and tabs because Lortab is a name brand of Hydrocodone. This drug is a very bad drug to be addicted