Hydrocodone may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Acetaminophen and hydrocodone should never be given to another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it. Hydrocodone belongs to the group of medicines called narcotic analgesics (pain medicines). It acts on the central nervous system (CNS) to relieve pain, and stops or prevents cough. It acts on the central nervous system (CNS) to relieve pain, and stops or prevents cough. The amount of time that hydrocodone remains in the body depends on the characteristics of a person's body, the method of detection, and the dosage, among other factors. Learn more here. We also. Also, whether or not a hydrocodone drug test will show the substance can depend on how the test is administered. When someone takes a hydrocodone drug test, it shows whether or not there is a certain amount of a drug breakdown product in the system, and the cutoff level for detection can depend on the screener’s testing preferences. Hydrocodone is in a class of medications called opiate (narcotic) analgesics. It works by changing the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain. It works by changing the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain. Hydrocodone is taken by mouth (orally) and has to pass through your digestive system before you begin to feel its effects. You should start feeling the effects of hydrocodone in under an hour. Hydrocodone is only pharmaceutically available as an oral medication. It is well-absorbed, but the oral bioavailability of hydrocodone is only approximately 25%. The onset of action of hydrocodone via this route is 10 to 20 minutes, with a peak effect (T max) occurring at 30 to 60 minutes, and it has a duration of 4 to 8 hours. Find patient medical information for Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen Oral on WebMD including its uses, side effects and safety, interactions, pictures, warnings and user ratings. A hydrocodone overdose can be fatal, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription. Overdose symptoms may include slow heart rate , severe drowsiness, muscle weakness, cold and clammy skin, pinpoint pupils, very slow breathing, or coma. Besides hydrocodone alone, there are also products such as Vicodin, Lorcet, and Norco that combine hydrocodone with acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin, or antihistamines. Knowing how long hydrocodone affects your system and how long it takes to eliminate it can help avoid dangerous interactions with other medications, side effects, and risk of overdose.