hydrocodone

noun

hy·​dro·​co·​done ˌhī-drō-ˈkō-ˌdōn 

: a habit-forming compound that is derived from codeine and is administered in the form of its bitartrate C₁₈H₂₁NO₃·C₄H₆O₆ usually in combination with other drugs (as acetaminophen) as an analgesic or cough suppressant

Examples of hydrocodone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The distributor McKesson entered into a $13 million settlement with the DEA in 2008 for regulatory problems, including selling 3 million hydrocodone doses to Baltimore’s Newcare pharmacy without reporting the sales as suspicious. —Madeleine O'Neill, Baltimore Sun, 2 Aug. 2024

But it is currently packaged and marketed primarily for treating opioid addiction and severe chronic pain; internists are more likely to prescribe the more dangerous hydrocodone or oxycodone. —Mark A. R. Kleiman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2017

When searching the vehicle, officers found a large bottle of dark liquor, as well as four hydrocodone and two Ambien pills hidden inside a McDonald's box. —Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 9 May 2024

Parto Karimi, 59, of Alamo, pleaded guilty last July to one count of distributing hydrocodone outside the scope of professional practice, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a news release Monday. —Jason Green, The Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

hydrocodone

noun

hy·​dro·​co·​done ˌhī-drō-ˈkō-ˌdōn 

: a habit-forming compound derived from codeine and administered in the form of its bitartrate C₁₈H₂₁NO₃·C₄H₆O₆ usually in combination with other drugs (as acetaminophen) as an analgesic or cough sedative

called also dihydrocodeinone

see hycodan, vicodin