Hydrocodone is a strong narcotic medication which can be used to treat moderate to severe pain. Some of the most common conditions hydrocodone is used for in this way include dental pain and post-surgical pain.

The drug is marketed under a variety of trade names including Lorcet, Hycet, and Zydone. It comes in tablet form, but it can also be dissolved into a liquid to make liquid doses or taken as an elixir (or syrup) instead of tablets.

Taking hydrocodone for long periods of time, even for a legitimate medical reason, is considered abuse. The drug has a high potential for addicting users and so should not be taken otherwise.

However, when taken as directed hydrocodone is a very effective medication to regulate pain levels in the body. The drug causes only minimal side effects, the worst of which can be nausea and lightheadedness. Allergic reactions are also possible with this drug but they are uncommon.

The most common way to take hydrocodone is orally as a tablet or liquid solution (or as an elixir) with food to minimize side effects such as nausea.