Baby Safety / Compounds / Hydrocodone

Is Hydrocodone safe for babies and kids?

Extreme risk for kids

Infants are more vulnerable to Hydrocodone than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.

What is hydrocodone?

The IUPAC name is (4R,4aR,7aR,12bS)-9-methoxy-3-methyl-1,2,4,4a,5,6,7a,13-octahydro-4,12-methanobenzofuro[3,2-e]isoquinolin-7-one.

Also known as: (4R,4aR,7aR,12bS)-9-methoxy-3-methyl-1,2,4,4a,5,6,7a,13-octahydro-4,12-methanobenzofuro[3,2-e]isoquinolin-7-one, Dihydrocodeinone, Hydrocodon, Hydrocone.

IUPAC name
(4R,4aR,7aR,12bS)-9-methoxy-3-methyl-1,2,4,4a,5,6,7a,13-octahydro-4,12-methanobenzofuro[3,2-e]isoquinolin-7-one
CAS number
125-29-1
Molecular formula
C18H21NO3
Molecular weight
299.4 g/mol
SMILES
CN1CCC23C4C1CC5=C2C(=C(C=C5)OC)OC3C(=O)CC4
PubChem CID
5284569

Risk for babies

Extreme risk

Infants are more vulnerable to Hydrocodone than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.

Neonates and infants up to 12 months have incomplete blood-brain barrier development, immature Phase I/II metabolic enzymes (particularly CYP3A4, UGT1A1), and higher gastrointestinal permeability. Equivalent doses produce higher internal concentrations and longer residence times.

What to do: Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

Risk for pregnant and nursing people

Context-dependent

Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Hydrocodone, potentially increasing fetal exposure. The developing embryo/fetus is vulnerable during organogenesis (weeks 3-8) and neurological development. Placental transfer should be assumed.

No specific reproductive toxicity data identified, but pregnancy-specific safety data is limited for most chemicals. Precautionary minimization of exposure is recommended.

What to do: Minimize exposure during pregnancy and lactation. Consult healthcare provider regarding specific risks. Consider alternative products with lower hazard profiles.

Regulatory consensus

1 regulatory bodyhas classified Hydrocodone.

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
DEA2014Schedule IIRescheduled from Schedule III in 2014

Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.

Where kids encounter hydrocodone

  • Industrial Facilities — Manufacturing plants, Chemical storage areas, Waste treatment sites
  • Occupational Environments — Factories, Warehouses, Transportation vehicles

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Hydrocodone:

  • Therapeutic alternatives (consult prescriber)
    Trade-offs: Drug-specific. Cannot substitute without medical guidance.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions

Is hydrocodone safe for kids?

Infants are more vulnerable to Hydrocodone than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.

What products contain hydrocodone?

Hydrocodone appears in: Manufacturing plants (Industrial facilities); Chemical storage areas (Industrial facilities); Factories (Occupational environments); Warehouses (Occupational environments).

What should I do if my child is exposed to hydrocodone?

Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

See Hydrocodone in the baby app

Look up products containing hydrocodone, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

Open in baby View raw API data

Sources (3)
  1. US DEA: Hydrocodone Combination Products — Rescheduling from Schedule III to Schedule II (2014), Prescribing Volume Reduction Post-Rescheduling, CYP2D6 Ultra-Rapid Metabolizer Risk, and Extended-Release Formulation Hazard (2022) (2022) — regulatory
  2. US FDA: Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen Combination Products — ≤325 mg APAP/Tablet Mandate, Extended-Release Hydrocodone (Zohydro ER) Risk Evaluation, Pediatric Accidental Ingestion Data, and Abuse-Deterrent Formulation Requirements (2022) (2022) — regulatory
  3. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Opioid Analgesics in Dogs and Cats — Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Tramadol; Respiratory Depression Severity; Naloxone Veterinary Dosing; and APCC Case Data (2022) (2022) — regulatory

Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →