Renee asked
I recently had a cyst lanced this past Thursday , and I have to go back on Monday to have the rest of the sack removed. Having it lanced was extremely painful because of how infected it was and I did not deal with the pain well, I was prescribed 100mg doxycycline for the infection. I have some 5mg hydrocodone from my last wisdom tooth removal and I want to take some before I go back to have the rest of the cyst removed. I just wanted to make sure it was okay to take both of these medications together.
Answer
There is no drug interaction between hydrocodone and doxycycline,
however, it is generally not recommended to take prescription medications
without the guidance of a health care provider. Controlled substances can be
especially risky due to the potential for abuse and addiction. Trying
over-the-counter medications, when appropriate, may be a good start to help
with the pain.
Information About Hydrocodone
Hydrocodone is a controlled substance pain medication that typically comes as a combination tablet with acetaminophen (Norco). Hydrocodone and ibuprofen are also found in a combination tablet known as Vicoprofen. This is used much less frequently than Norco.
Opioids, such as hydrocodone, work by binding to the mu-opiate receptor. This works in the central nervous system to decrease perception of pain and the person’s emotional response to pain.
Norco should start working in about 30 minutes and should reach peak effect in about 90 minutes. Overall, Norco treats pain for about 3-4 hours.
In order to avoid untoward effects like addiction,
constipation, and respiratory depression, the
lowest dose for the shortest duration is generally recommended when taking
Norco and other opioids. If the pain is mild, acetaminophen or ibuprofen may
be good options instead of taking a dose of Norco.
Information About Doxycycline
Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic that can be used for a variety of indications including acne, anthrax, skin infections, and pneumonia.
Doxycycline should be administered with a glass of water and should not be administered with any substance that contains aluminum, iron, magnesium, or calcium. These cations can bind doxycycline and significantly reduce absorption.
Because doxycycline has been associated with
photosensitivity after exposure to sunlight, exposure to sunlight and other UV light
should be avoided when possible. Additionally, the use of sunscreen is
especially important while taking doxycycline. Immediately alert your physician
if any skin reactions occur after exposure to sunlight.
