Hydrocodone
Risk Factor: C*
Class: RESPIRATORY DRUGS
/ Antitussives
Contents of this page:
Fetal Risk Summary
Breast Feeding Summary
References
Questions and Answers
Fetal Risk Summary
Hydrocodone is a centrally-acting narcotic agent that is related to codeine. It is combined with other drugs for use an analgesic or as an antitussive. In a reproductive study in hamsters, a single SC injection (102 mg/kg) during the critical period of central nervous system organogenesis produced malformations (cranioschisis and various other lesions) in 3.4% of the offspring (1). Because of its narcotic properties, withdrawal could theoretically occur in infants exposed in utero to prolonged maternal ingestion of hydrocodone.
In a surveillance study of Michigan Medicaid recipients involving 229,101 completed pregnancies conducted between 1985 and 1992, 332 newborns had been exposed to hydrocodone during the 1st trimester (F. Rosa, personal communication, FDA, 1993). A total of 24 (7.2%) major birth defects were observed (14 expected), five of which were cardiovascular defects (three expected). No anomalies were observed in five other defect categories (oral clefts, spina bifida, polydactyly, limb reduction defects, and hypospadias) for which specific data were available. The total number of malformations is suggestive of a possible association, but other factors, including the mother's disease, concurrent drug use, and chance, may be involved.
At a 1996 meeting, data on 118 women using hydrocodone (N=40) or oxycodone (N=78) during the 1st trimester for postoperative pain, general pain, or upper respiratory infection were matched with a similar group using codeine for these purposes (2). Six (5.1%) of the infants exposed to hydrocodone or oxycodone had malformations, an odds ratio of 2.61 (95% confidence interval 0.611.5) (p=0.13). There was no pattern evident among the six malformations.
[*Risk Factor D if used for prolonged periods or in high doses at term.]
Breast Feeding Summary
No reports describing the use of hydrocodone during human lactation or measuring the amount, if any, excreted into breast milk have been located. Because of the relatively low molecular weight (about 381), passage into milk should be expected. Although occasional maternal doses of hydrocodone probably present a minimal risk for adverse effects during nursing, infants should be monitored for gastrointestinal effects, sedation, and changes in feeding patterns.
References
- Geber WF, Schramm LC. Congenital malformations of the central nervous system produced by narcotic analgesics in the hamster. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1975;123:70513.
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Schick B, Hom M, Tolosa J, Librizzi R, Donnfeld A. Preliminary analysis of first trimester exposure to oxycodone and hydrocodone (abstract). Presented at the Ninth International Conference of the Organization of Teratology Information Services, Salt Lake City, Utah, May 24, 1996. Reprod Toxicol 1996;10:162.
Questions and Answers
has anyone taken hydrocodone while pregnant and if so, was your baby healthy after delivery? My OB prescribed me hydrocodone for fibromyalgia pain and i just want to know if anyone else out there has taken this throughout being pregnant and if so, was your baby ok? I know that there are risks with taking any meds but need to here from other people about their experiences with pain meds and pregnancy.
The baby will be fine if you take the medicine as prescribed.
IS it safe to take hydrocodone while pregnant? My doctor prescribe me hydrocodone for my migrains. And im concerned for my baby health.
Yes. I was prescribed it twice during my pregnancy for back and neck spasms (they were so bad I couldn't move my head, or get myself out of bed). They are fine to take. I don't know how effective it will be, though. They tend to give me headaches. You can ask your doctor about fioricet. That's what I took for migraines when I was pregnant and they worked wonderfully!
I just wanted to add-my physician previously worked in a pain management facility. All of her pregnant patients who took vicodin had normal, healthy pregnancies and babies. They want to you wean a few weeks prior to delivery so your baby doesn't go through 'withdrawls'. If you're only taking it for migraines (which shouldn't be too often) there is little cause for concern.
What if you already took hydrocodone while you're pregnant?
You should stop and then ask your doctor about it. i wouldnt be scared or anything though, i actually had to be prescribed it when i was like 30 weeks for pain, so it cant harm the baby but he said its not something he wanted me taking ALL the time.
How safe is hydrocodone use while pregnant?
Don't listen to people on here, listen to your doctor! If your doctor prescribed it, then you must need it. I have an abscessed tooth right now and my doctor gave me vicodin.
what will it do to a baby if you are taking hydrocodone while your pregnant? what will taking hydrocodone while your pregnant
Always, always, always ask your doctor before taking any medications. You can often just call them up on the phone and the nurse can let you know whether it is okay. Medications are catagorized into classes (A, B, C, etc.) Medicines need to be in a certain category (can't remember which one) in order to be deemed safe. If the drug is absolutely necessary for the mother to function, and hasn't been actually proven dangerous for the fetus, some doctors will allow you to take it during the second trimester only. It really is up to your doctor though, so I wouldn't proceed until talking with him/her.
did anyone take hydrocodone while pregnant? will it cause brain damage if tooken at 7 or 8 months pregnant? thankyou only people with experience.
No, it will not cause brain damage. You can take some narcotic pain relievers during pregnancy, as long as under the supervision of your doctor, and only for a limited period of time. The risks to your baby are very minimal when taken appropriately. Risk of miscarriage, preterm labor, and withdrawls in the infant are only usually seen in women who abuse narcotics chronically throughout the pregnancy.
Hopefully you were prescribed these by your doctor, and they wouldn't have prescribed you a medication known to cause brain damage to your child.
**If you only took one, your baby will be fine, don't worry. But please don't hesitate to tell your doctor, they aren't going to judge you. It's important to tell them everything, even if you are doing things you aren't supposed to be doing, so they can be prepared to give you and your baby the best care that they can give to you, and anticipate any risks or complications that might occur. If you withhold information from them, that's how they end up being surprised and unprepared.
Have any of you taken Vicodin or hydrocodone before finding out you were pregnant? How early?
What did the doctor say?
Was everything okay?
Thanks! (I asked yesterday but got very few answers.)
geez, just about everyone in the 80's... you are fine!
what are the effects of taking hydrocodone when pregnant?
Hydrocodone is safe during pregnancy. I take it for migraines and I'm 16 weeks, it was prescribed by my OB and the baby looks to be fine. You can't over do it on them, but take them as prescribed and you'll be fine. Good luck!
