The white M367 pill is a medication that’s typically used for pain relief. It contains a combination of acetaminophen and hydrocodone, which can have powerful and fast-acting effects. The United States Department of Justice estimates that about 136.7 million prescriptions each year are made for hydrocodone-containing products.
That said, there are potential risks involved when taking these pills, such as side effects that are common with powerful painkillers and the potential for addiction if they’re misused or taken for an extended amount of time.
Stick around as we discuss everything you should know about the uses, risks, and warnings associated with M367.
What Are M367 Pills?
As mentioned, M367 pills are a combination of hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen. You’ll typically see it in a white, oval-shaped pill with “M367” stamped on it.
Hydrocodone bitartrate is a very powerful opioid pain reliever. It’s made from codeine and binds to opioid receptors to reduce pain signals in the body. Generally, it’s prescribed in medical settings to treat moderate to severe pain, such as after surgery or when someone suffered an injury during an accident.
Acetaminophen is a milder pain reliever and fever reducer. It’s the main active ingredient in the brand-name product Tylenol. Typically, it’s combined with more powerful opioid painkillers like hydrocodone to add an extra boost to the medication’s effects and help if a patient also has a fever.
Uses of M367 Pills
M367 pills are usually prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain. They might also be prescribed in medical settings when patients haven’t responded favorably to milder painkillers.
Since they include hydrocodone, which is an opioid, they’re only recommended for short-term use. The U.S. Department of Justice states that opioids should only be prescribed for 3-5 days or less in most scenarios.
Limiting the amount of time taking opioids helps prevent the potential for developing a dependence on them. A dependence would cause withdrawal symptoms like nausea, fatigue, or shaking when you suddenly stop taking them after a long duration of time.
Potential Side Effects and Risks
When you take strong opioid painkillers, there is a risk for side effects in both the short and long term. Let’s review those risks so you can be aware before selecting treatment options.
Short-Term Side Effects
The most common short-term side effects of hydrocodone acetaminophen combination medications are:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Drowsiness
- Stomach pain or nausea
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Fuzzy thinking or trouble concentrating
- Dry mouth
- Anxiety
- Abnormally happy or sad mood
- Constipation
If you experience uncomfortable side effects after taking M367 pills, you should let your doctor know right away. When you’re in a hospital setting, medical teams can often help manage side effects to make you as comfortable as possible until they subside.
Signs of Overdose and Serious Short-Term Side Effects
Some people may even have more severe side effects from M367 pills in the short term. This is usually caused by a bad reaction or a dose that’s too high. Severe symptoms may include:
- Slowed or irregular breathing
- Hallucinations
- Vomiting
- Chest pain
- Rapid heart rate
- Rash or hives
These symptoms are especially common when someone overdoses on M367 or other opioid painkillers. Overdose is most prevalent when someone misuses them in recreational settings to get high. Experimenting with these pills is never safe, and they should only be taken within the recommended dosage prescribed by your doctor.
The chance of severe short-term side effects can also increase when opioids are combined with other substances like alcohol. Opioids and alcohol are both depressants, so that combination can significantly slow down the central nervous system, which coordinates key bodily functions like breathing and heart rate.
What to Do in Case of Misuse or Overdose
When someone is experiencing the signs of opioid overdose listed above, it’s important to get them immediate medical attention. Calling 911 in that scenario is the best idea.
When paramedics arrive, you should tell them that an opioid overdose on M367 pills may have occurred so they can provide the right treatment immediately.
Long-Term Side Effects and Health Risks
Long-term use of M367 or other opioid painkillers is generally not recommended due to the potential for addiction and health complications. This is why it’s important to get treatment for opioid addiction as soon as possible to avoid these risks.
Addiction and Dependence
As mentioned, long-term use of hydrocodone-containing drugs can lead to addiction and dependence. Research indicates that nearly 2 million people each year struggle with addiction to prescription opioids, including pills containing hydrocodone.
Addiction is prevalent with these medications since they trigger the reward system of your brain. When you take them, your brain releases a high amount of endorphins and neurotransmitters. These chemicals are responsible for the pleasurable effects opioids can have when taken in high doses.
However, this also makes you feel very low and fatigued when the effects wear off since your body must recover. This can worsen the dependence on them, making you feel like you can’t function normally without taking M367 pills.
Health Risks
A lot of research also shows that long-term use of hydrocodone and other opioids leads to higher risk of health complications, such as:
- Increased risk of bone fractures, especially in the hips, humerus, or wrists.
- Higher risk of cardiovascular events or diseases such as myocardial infarction (blood flow to the heart significantly reduces or stops).
- Damage to the endocrine system that causes erectile dysfunction or infertility.
Dosage and Warnings
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that the generally accepted safe dosage of hydrocodone bitartrate is 5-10 mg every 4-6 hours.
The NIH also states that the generally accepted safe dose of acetaminophen is 325-750 mg every 4-6 hours. It’s important to note that you shouldn’t take more than 4,000 mg of acetaminophen within a 24-hour timeframe.
The right dosage for you will depend on your body weight, health history, and pain levels. It’s important to discuss your options with a doctor before taking painkillers and follow their recommendations, as they’ll be able to determine a more specific dose for your needs.
Alternatives to M367 Pills
Since opioid painkillers like M367 come with many risks, it’s common to wonder about other pain treatment options.
For mild to moderate pain relief, taking over-the-counter Tylenol, Ibuprofen, or Aspirin can help ease symptoms with minimal potential side effects for most people.
It’s also important to diagnose and understand where the pain is coming from. Visiting a doctor and receiving a full diagnosis for chronic pain is a good idea to find long-term solutions.
Alternative options like physical therapy, acupuncture, surgery, injections, or nerve blocks can help treat chronic pain and reduce the need for medications over time as you heal.
Conclusion
While M367 pills are a common pain treatment option prescribed in medical settings, they do come with risks and dangers, especially when misused or abused. When prescribed this medication, following your doctor’s recommendations is important to avoid negative effects.
If you or someone you care about is struggling with addiction to M367 pills or other opioids, there are resources that can help.
We offer medical detox and residential drug and alcohol addiction treatment at the United Recovery Project. Here, we can provide a full diagnosis and provide a tailored recovery plan based on your needs to help achieve and maintain long-term sobriety.
Contact us today to learn more about our treatment options.
References
- Drug Enforcement Administration. Hydrocodone. 2019. https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_chem_info/hydrocodone.pdf
- Bohnert, Amy. Managing Pain Safely and Effectively: CD c Guideline for Prescribing Opioids. https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/mtgs/pract_awareness/conf_2018/nov_2018/bohnert.pdf
- “Hydrocodone Combination Products: MedlinePlus Drug Information.” Medlineplus.gov, 2019, https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601006.html
- Cassidy, Theresa A., et al. “Patterns of Abuse and Routes of Administration for Immediate-Release Hydrocodone Combination Products.” Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, vol. 26, no. 9, 3 Aug. 2017, pp. 1071–1082, doi:10.1002/pds.4249. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5637894/
- Chou, Roger, et al. “The Effectiveness and Risks of Long-Term Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review for a National Institutes of Health Pathways to Prevention Workshop.” Annals of Internal Medicine, vol. 162, no. 4, 2015, pp. 276–86, doi:10.7326/M14-2559. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M14-2559
- “DailyMed – HYDROCODONE BITARTRATE and ACETAMINOPHEN Tablet.” Nih.gov, 2014, https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=8f5d00de-3b9b-46d4-b374-1cf329a4c1db
