hydrocodone/homatropine (Hycodan [discontinued] Tussigon)

Bronchiectasis has three types:

• 1) cylindrical bronchiectasis,
• 2) saccular or varicose bronchiectasis,
• 3) and cystic bronchiectasis.

Causes of bronchiectasis include:

• infection,
environmental exposure, drug or alcohol abuse,
• and alpha-1 antitrypsin (congenital).

Symptoms of bronchiectasis include:

• shortness of breathe,
• fatigue,
• chronic cough,
• bloody sputum,
• and wheezing.

Treatment for bronchiectasis include antibiotics and possibly surgery.

Children's cough causes include infection, acid reflux, asthma, allergies or sinus infection, whooping cough, and exposure to irritants. Treatment for a child's cough include cough medicine for children over the age of four.

Chronic bronchitis is a cough that occurs daily with production of sputum that lasts for at least three months, two years in a row. Causes of chronic bronchitis include cigarette smoking, inhaled irritants, and underlying disease processes (such as asthma, or congestive heart failure). Symptoms include

• cough,
• shortness of breath, and
• wheezing.

Treatments include bronchodilators and steroids. Complications of chronic bronchitis include COPD and emphysema.

Chronic cough is a cough that does not go away and is generally a symptom of another disorder such as

• asthma,
• allergic rhinitis,
• sinus infection,
• cigarette smoking,
• GERD,
• postnasal drip,
• bronchitis,
• pneumonia,
• medications, and
• less frequently tumors or other lung disease. Treatment of chronic cough is dependent upon the cause.

Chronic cough treatment is based on the cause, but may be soothed natural and home remedies.

Sick at home? Need relief from a nagging cough? See which home remedies and other treatments help relieve coughing and when it's time to see a doctor.

The common cold (viral upper respiratory tract infection) is a contagious illness that may be caused by various viruses. Symptoms include a stuffy nose, headache, cough, sore throat, and maybe a fever. Antibiotics have no effect upon the common cold, and there is no evidence that zinc and vitamin C are effective treatments.

Emphysema is a COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) that often occurs with other obstructive pulmonary problems and chronic bronchitis. Causes of emphysema include chronic cigarette smoking, exposure to secondhand smoke, air pollution, and in the underdeveloped parts of the world. Symptoms of emphysema include chronic cough, chest discomfort, breathlessness, and wheezing. Treatments include medication and lifestyle changes.

Hydrocodone (brand name Zohydro ER) and hydromorphone (brand names Dilaudid and others) are opioid narcotics prescribed to patients with moderate to severe pain for which other pain therapies have not provided adequate pain management. Both narcotics have a Black Box Warning from the FDA about serious side effects including coma and death.

Common side effects of both hydrocodone and hydromorphone include:

• Lightheadedness
• Dizziness
• Sedation
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation

Side effects unique to hydrocodone include:

• Drowsiness
• Spasm of the ureter

Side effects unique to hydromorphone include:

• Sweating
• Flushing
• Itching
• Dry mouth

Both narcotics can be habit forming and addictive. Examples of symptoms that you may be addicted to hydrocodone or hydromorphone include:

• You are taken the drug in larger doses than your doctor prescribed.
• You have a persistent desire, and often have unsuccessful attempts to cut down or control the use of the drug.
• You have a strong desire or craving for the drug.
• You spend a lot of time doing various things to get or use the drugs.
• You have problems at work, school, or relationships.
• You withdraw from social activities because of the drug.

REFERENCES:

FDA Prescribing Information.

NIH; National Institute on Drug Abuse. "The Science of Drug Abuse and Addiction: The Basics." Updated: Oct 2016.

Influenza (flu) is a respiratory illness caused by a virus. Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches. The flu may be prevented with an annual influenza vaccination.

The lungs are primarily responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air we breathe and the blood. Eliminating carbon dioxide from the blood is important, because as it builds up in the blood, headaches, drowsiness, coma, and eventually death may occur. The air we breathe in (inhalation) is warmed, humidified, and cleaned by the nose and the lungs.

Narcotic analgesics (also called opioids) are medications prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain. Examples (list) include:

• codeine
• hydrocodone
• OxyContin
• Roxicodone
• methadone
• morphine
• Dialudid
• fentanyl

Side effects include:

• Dry mouth
• Itching
• Addiction
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Constipation
• Nausea

Drug interactions, dosing, and pregnancy and breastfeeding safety information are provided.

Oxycodone and hydrocodone are prescription opioid pain medications. Both drugs have similar uses and side effects, for example:

• Dizziness
• Sedation
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Drowsiness
• Constipation
• Headache
• Rash

Both drugs also are available in combination with other drugs. Examples of brand names include:

• Percocet
• Vicodin
• Zohydro ER

Drug interactions, dosage, uses, and pregnancy and breastfeeding safety information should be reviewed prior to taking any medication.

Percocet (oxycodone/acetaminophen) and Lortab (hydrocodone/acetaminophen) are combined prescription medications used to treat moderate to severe pain. Common side effects of Percocet and Lortab include:

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Sedation
• Lightheadedness
• Dizziness

Both Percocet and Lortab contain acetaminophen, and the most serious side effect of acetaminophen is liver damage due to to taking large doses of acetaminophen, chronic use, or when combined with alcohol. Both Percocet and Lortab have an increased risk for addiction because they both contain a powerful narcotic drug. Withdrawal symptoms may occur if these drugs are discontinued abruptly.

Other brand names for oxycodone and acetaminophen are

• Roxicet
• Tylox
• Oxycet

Other brand names for hydrocodone and acetaminophen are

• Vicodin
• Vicodin ES
• Vicodin HP
• Lorcet
• Lorcet Plus
• Norco
• Zydone
• Hycet
• Maxidone
• Stagesic
• Verdrocet
• Xodol
• Zamicet
• Zolvit

Drug interactions, dosage, and pregnancy and breastfeeding comparisons are reviewed.

An upper respiratory infection is a contagious infection of the structures of the upper respiratory tract, which includes the sinuses, nasal passages, pharynx, and larynx. Common causes of an upper respiratory infection include bacteria and viruses such as rhinoviruses, group A streptococci, influenza, respiratory syncytial, whooping cough, diphtheria, and Epstein-Barre. Examples of symptoms of upper respiratory infection include:

• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Fever
• Nasal congestion

Treatment of upper respiratory infections are based upon the cause. Generally, viral infections are treated symptomatically with over-the-counter (OTC) medication and home remedies.