Panacet
Panacet is the brand name for an opioid pain reliever that contains two different medications, acetaminophen and hydrocodone. Hydrocodone is a narcotic pain reliever that is used for moderate to severe pain. Acetaminophen is also a pain reliever, though much less potent than hydrocodone, commonly used for mild to moderate pain. By adding acetaminophen to the hydrocodone, it increases its effects. Panacet is considered a powerful drug and can help someone who is experiencing severe pain throughout the body. It is similar to pain relievers that are better-known drugs, such as Lortab or Vicodin. Because Panacet is such a potent drug, it should be used cautiously. It acts as a central nervous system depressant, meaning it has the ability to greatly affect the heart rate and breathing rate of the user.
Drugs that are hydrocodone-based are the most commonly prescribed pain medications in the United States. They are also one of the most widely abused drugs. Studies show that death rates are higher from painkiller abuse than any other drug. Panacet is a strong drug in its own right, and mixing it with alcohol or other depressants can cause serious, potentially lethal side effects. For individuals who have used it long-term, and are addicted to the drug, quitting can prove difficult and most often requires help.
Side Effects of Use
Panacet can cause side effects that can impair a use’s reaction time or thinking. Because this drug contains acetaminophen, it is important to not take any other products containing acetaminophen while on this medication. Doing so can result in acetaminophen overdose and liver failure. Alcohol should also be avoided while taking Panacet, as it can increase the user’s risk of liver damage.
Common side effects of this drug include:
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Anxiousness
- Mild nausea
- Vomiting
- Upset stomach
- Constipation
- Headache
- Mood changes
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears
- Dry mouth
More serious side effects include:
- Slow heartbeat
- Shallow breathing
- Fainting
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Problems urinating
- Severe stomach pain
- Jaundice
- Dark stool
- Clay-colored stool
Panacet Addiction
For most people, taking Panacet originally began for a legitimate reason, most often experiencing moderate to severe pain. Overtime, these individuals found themselves taking more of the drug and became increasingly worried about obtaining the drug. Currently, there are over 200 drugs containing hydrocodone, with Panacet being a popular brand name. Although the mixture of hydrocodone and acetaminophen works well in controlling pain, it is also quite addictive. Its euphoric inducing side effect has also made it a popular street drug. It is commonly referenced to on the street as “Hydro” or “Norco” and is easily accessible (with over 110 million prescriptions written annually), and cheap compared to many other illegal drugs.
When someone is addicted to Panacet and uses the drug long-term, he or she can suffer from a variety of health effects. Most common long-term effects are frequent fainting, loss of appetite and convulsions or seizures. There have also been reports of individuals going into a coma due to long-term or high doses of Panacet. In addition, the drug can also cause a variety of mental issues over time. Most individuals addicted to the drug show signs of continuous confusion, an increased sense of anxiety and fear, and sudden and fluctuating mood changes. In more serious cases, Panacet has been known to induce suicidal tendencies.
Panacet Withdrawal Symptoms and Treatment
While Panacet is intended to only be used for short periods of time, individuals who have used it long-term may experience withdrawal symptoms upon cessation of the drug. Withdrawal or detox symptoms most often appear within 24 hours of taking the final dose of Panacet. Many users report symptoms similar to the flu, with the most common withdrawal symptoms being:
- Sweating
- Shivering
- Runny nose
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Pain
- Anxiety
- Tremors
- Insomnia
- Cravings
- Hallucinations
- Irritability
In most cases, these detox symptoms can last up to 72 hours. For some individuals, withdrawal symptoms can cause severe discomfort and may be a frightening experience, however, Panacet withdrawal isn’t considered life-threatening in most cases. Detox symptoms can become so uncomfortable that the user begins taking Panacet again in order to bypass these symptoms. This is where the assistance of a Panacet recovery program can be helpful.
There are two main treatment options used in the withdrawal of Panacet drug tapering and a rapid detox. With rapid detox, the individual is placed under light anesthesia and the drug is flushed from the opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord. This process takes up to two hours and the individual will wake up free from the physical addiction to Panacet. Drug tapering is a process that can take several weeks. Doses of the drug are lowered each day, allowing the individual to adjust to smaller amounts of the medication being in their bloodstream. In most cases, detox symptoms are mild with drug tapering, as the process is done gradually.