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Source overview
Recorded excerpts for one species. Each dose remains a separate source entry; no regimen is selected.
Choose one species to view its source overview. All-species evidence remains available below.
View full clinical evidence and sources ↓Clinical evidence
Pending clinical review (PROPOSED)— applies to the facts and dose entries in this species selection; individual source records retain their own status.
Indications2
Antitussive of choice for harsh dry non-productive cough: collapsing trachea, chronic bronchitis, kennel cough (C-URI); oral analgesia (moderate pain, incl. APAP-combination in dogs); opioid-related stereotypies/lick granuloma (exogenous opioid substitution)
DogExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 614–616 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Antitussive of choice for harsh dry non-productive cough: collapsing trachea, chronic bronchitis, kennel cough (C-URI); oral analgesia (moderate pain, incl. APAP-combination in dogs); opioid-related stereotypies/lick granuloma (exogenous opioid substitution) — Extra-label (C-III combination products)
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 614–616 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Only the stereotypy/lick-granuloma substitution use (plain hydrocodone)
CatExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)1 source record · View provenance
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 614–616 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Only the stereotypy/lick-granuloma substitution use (plain hydrocodone) — Extra-label; APAP combos fatal in cats
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 614–616 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Dose regimens6
This calculator performs arithmetic only on the sourced dosing field shown for each result — it does not verify the field's accuracy, does not select which field to use for a patient, and does not replace a veterinarian's order. Not for clinical use. Confirm every result against the primary source before dispensing.
Choose one species above to view its dose calculator.
Adverse effects108
Sedation, constipation (chronic), vomiting/GI upset — Common
DogNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 614–616 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Masks the cough of progressing respiratory disease — The monitoring trap — suppressing the alarm
DogNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 614–616 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Respiratory depression with co-depressants — High-dose class risk
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 614–616 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Sedation
DogCatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Table 1 (p.630), row: Hydrocodone, Adverse Effects column · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Manual
- Cat · Table 1 (p.630), row: Hydrocodone, Adverse Effects column · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Manual
These are counts of spontaneously reported events, not proven adverse effects, causal relationships, or incidence rates.
Bars compare report counts within each species; they do not show incidence.
More reportsFewer reportsDog
- Vomiting57 reports
- Cough50 reports
- Death by euthanasia40 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')37 reports
- Diarrhoea36 reports
- Death33 reports
- Seizure NOS33 reports
- Decreased appetite30 reports
- Abnormal radiograph finding28 reports
- Panting26 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in Neurological)25 reports
- Other abnormal test result NOS22 reports
Cat
- Elevated betahydroxybutyrate (BHBA)1 reports
- Hypersalivation1 reports
- Hypoglycaemia1 reports
Monitoring1
Cough frequency vs sedation trade-off; underlying disease progression (don't silence kennel cough into pneumonia); hydration/secretion character
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 614–616 — Monitoring Parameters · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Contraindications3
Narcotic hypersensitivity; MAOIs (selegiline, amitraz); toxin-diarrhea; APAP products in cats
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 614–616 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
MAOIs
DogCatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Table 1 (p.630), row: Hydrocodone, Contraindications column · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Manual
- Cat · Table 1 (p.630), row: Hydrocodone, Contraindications column · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Manual
Precautions4
Addison's/hypothyroid/renal insufficiency/head trauma/acute abdomen/geriatric; respiratory disease with increased secretions or nebulization (liquify-then-can't-clear problem)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 614–616 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Dry-harness rule: hydrocodone belongs to harsh DRY non-productive coughs (tracheal collapse) — productive/wet coughs need the secretions moved, not silenced.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 614–616 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
The stereotypy substitution trick: acral lick granuloma as self-opiate behavior → pharmacologic replacement (same logic as naltrexone approaches, opposite direction).
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 614–616 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
APAP-combination arithmetic in dogs: dose by the hydrocodone component, but the ceiling is acetaminophen's (≤15 mg/kg q8h) — double-math dispensing check.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 614–616 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Interactions3
MAOIs — Contraindicated
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 614–616 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
CNS depressants (anesthetics, antihistamines, phenothiazines, barbiturates, tranquilizers) — Additive CNS/respiratory depression
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 614–616 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Antitussive stacking (butorphanol, dextromethorphan) — Redundant/sedation
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 614–616 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pharmacokinetics3
Metabolism — Hepatic (opiate pathways)
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 614–616 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Combination logic — +Homatropine (low-dose anticholinergic) deters abuse, mild drying of secretions
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 614–616 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Mechanism — Opiate agonist — weight-for-weight more antitussive than codeine
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 614–616 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pregnancy / lactation considerations1
Opiate class cautions.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 614–616 — Pregnancy & Lactation · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Literature references12
References are linked to this drug. Species applicability is not recorded here, so the species filter does not narrow this list. Imported dates do not retain their original precision; confirm dates in the original citation.
- Prevention of Opioid-Induced Nausea and Vomiting During Treatment of Moderate to Severe Acute Pain: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial Comparing CL-108 (Hydrocodone 7.5 mg/Acetaminophen 325 mg/Rapid-Release, Low-Dose Promethazine 12.5 mg) with Conventional Hydrocodone 7.5 mg/Acetaminophen 325 mg.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Once daily oral extended-release hydrocodone as analgesia following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy in dogs.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- In vitro and in vivo assessment of the abuse potential of PF614, a novel BIO-MD™ prodrug of oxycodone.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Pharmacokinetics of hydrocodone and tramadol administered for control of postoperative pain in dogs following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Clinical efficacy of hydrocodone-acetaminophen and tramadol for control of postoperative pain in dogs following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
Sources: PubMed, National Library of Medicine; openFDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Perrin C, Seksel K, Landsberg GM. Appendix: Drug Dosage Chart. Vet Clin Small Anim 2014;44:629-632.; Plumb DC. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook. 7th ed. PharmaVet Inc; 2011.
Owner information handout
Plain-language medication information to review with the owner. Open the handout to print it or download a PDF.