What is the M365 Pill?
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There are many potent drugs that are regularly prescribed as medications but can be dangerous when consumed in a recreational manner. One such drug is the M365 pill (currently sold under brand names Norco and Vicodin), a drug that could be bought over the counter for both regular (325 mg) and prescription (500 mg), which consists of two primary ingredients, hydrocodone, and acetaminophen. You might find it challenging to determine what a pill is by simply looking at its name, which is why it’s important to be able to correctly identify any medication you’re about to take.
Table of Contents
Physical Characteristics of the M365 Pill
The M365 pill is a type of medication that can only be obtained legally through a prescription. The pill itself is white and has an oblong shape to it. As for the size, it’s a relatively small pill that’s around 15mm wide. The only marking on the pill is an “M365” imprint.
Active Ingredients
There are two active ingredients found within the M365 pill, which include:
- Hydrocodone bitartrate
- Acetaminophen
Both ingredients can be potent on their own. When combined, these ingredients form a powerful pill that’s relatively easy to become dependent on, which is why it’s only available through a prescription. Keep in mind that hydrocodone is an opioid.
Usage and Medical Indications
The M365 pill is primarily used as a prescription pain relief, which means that it can be used to relieve pain that ranges from moderate to severe pain. Since hydrocodone is an opioid, it works by altering the brain to effectively change how your body is able to respond to pain.
For example, the severe back pain you feel could be significantly reduced after you take this pill. While the pain isn’t necessarily healed, your body doesn’t feel it as strongly while the drug is active. The acetaminophen-hydrocodone in this pill can help reduce a fever.
Dosage and Strength
The M365 pill can be prescribed in several different formulations, the primary of which involves 5mg of hydrocodone and 325mg of acetaminophen. There’s much less hydrocodone in the pill because of how powerful it is. Additional formulations and dosage levels include:
- 7.5mg of hydrocodone and 325mg of acetaminophen
- 10mg of hydrocodone and 325mg of acetaminophen
Regardless of the specific dosage level you’re prescribed, the amount of acetaminophen in an M365 pill always remains the same. When you first receive a prescription for this medication, you should also be given a patient information leaflet by your doctor or the pharmacist where you fill the prescription. If you have any questions about the pill and how to take it, you shouldn’t hesitate to ask the pharmacist or your doctor.
Make sure that you take this pill by mouth and adhere to the dosage instructions that your doctor gave you. It’s possible to take this pill with or without food. In the event that you experience nausea after taking this pill, it might be best to take the medication while eating food.
Your doctor may alter your dosage based on your response to treatment and the specific medical condition you’re suffering from. Keep in mind that the dosage prescribed to children depends on their weight. When you start taking this medication, it’s essential that you don’t increase your dose, consume the medication for longer than it’s prescribed, or take the medication more regularly than you should.
It’s also highly recommended that you ask your doctor about the M365 pill after you experience the initial signs of pain. If you end up waiting until your pain worsens, you may discover that the medication doesn’t relieve your pain. In this scenario, it’s possible that a stronger medication would be required.
If you experience ongoing pain, there’s a chance that your doctor will have you take smaller doses of the M365 pill for a lengthier period of time. Additional medications and pain relievers may also be prescribed alongside the M365 pill. If you’ve received another prescription, ask your doctor how to safely use the M365 pill with other drugs.
When you stop using this medication, it’s possible that it will cause withdrawal. However, withdrawal is most likely when you’ve been using the medication at higher doses or for a long period of time. Your doctor might choose to gradually reduce the dose you’re given to keep withdrawal at bay. The main withdrawal symptoms associated with the M365 pill include:
- Mood changes
- Restlessness
- Runny nose
- Sweating
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Muscle aches
If you take the medication for months, it might eventually stop working as well, which is something you should speak with your doctor about.
Potential Side Effects
There are many potential side effects associated with the M365 pill. The various side effects you could experience depend on the dose you take. Higher doses can result in worse side effects. Some of the more common side effects associated with the M365 pill include:
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Drowsiness
You’re more likely to experience these side effects when you begin taking the drug for the first time, which means that the severity of these side effects should decrease over time. Make sure you speak with your doctor if any of these side effects worsen.
Some of the more serious side effects you might encounter when taking the M365 pill include the following:
- Sleep apnea, which involves breathing while you sleep
- Sudden mood changes
- Issues with urinating
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained tiredness
- Considerable weight loss
- Stomach or abdominal pain
In the event that you experience severe side effects like shallow breathing, fainting, or seizure, you should seek medical attention immediately. Keep in mind that a severe allergic reaction to the drug can happen. Medical attention should also be sought immediately if you notice a rash, severe dizziness, or unexplained swelling.
Safety Precautions
If you receive a prescription for the M365 pill, there are some basic safety precautions you should adhere to if you want to avoid serious side effects. This is a strong opioid medication, which comes with several clear risks. For example, there’s a high risk of abuse and addiction if you take a higher dose than prescribed. There’s also a small risk that the pill will cause severe breathing problems. You can reduce your risk by asking your doctor to prescribe a smaller dose and only taking the pill for a short period of time.
Consider asking your doctor about naloxone, which can be used to treat an opioid overdose. The risk of experiencing serious breathing problems is at its highest when you first start taking this medication or when you increase your dosage. Breathing issues and extreme drowsiness can also occur if you combine the medication with other drugs or alcohol.
It’s essential that you take this medication as prescribed, which means following the dosage recommendation to the letter. Never take a higher dosage or take the drug more often than you should.
Among the most serious risks that you must be on the lookout for is the potential for addiction and misuse. Because of how potent this drug is, just one instance of taking a higher dose than prescribed can cause your body to have physical dependence on the drug in question.
Storage and Safe Disposal
To properly maintain pill efficacy and safety, you’ll need to correctly store the pill. The bottle needs to be firmly closed after every use. It may lose its efficacy if you don’t store it correctly. Make sure that the pill is always kept out of reach of children. If your medicine cabinet has a lock to it, always keep it locked when you’re not around.
To prevent unintended consumption or environmental harm, you should practice proper disposal methods as well. The best option is to use a drug take back program, which is sponsored by the U.S. DEA and may be available in your community. Some pharmacies will also offer medicine drop-off boxes that you can use.
If you need to dispose of these pills at home, you may be able to flush the medication once it’s removed from its original packaging. However, this is only allowed if the Food and Drug Administration recommends disposal by flushing. This information can be found on the FDA’s website or the patient information leaflet you receive.
Legal and Regulatory Aspects
The M365 pill has a “narcotic analgesic combinations” classification. It’s believed that these medications have been overused and prescribed too often in the past. This drug also has a CSA Schedule II classification. The medications in this schedule have a relatively high potential for abuse. As mentioned previously, they can only be obtained with a prescription and taken at the prescribed dose. All drugs with this classification can lead to severe physical or psychological dependence.
Conclusion
The M365 pill is a strong medication that can help you relieve pain while also enhancing your recovery process. Since this pill contains an opioid, it’s important that you’re able to properly identify and understand it before it becomes a part of your daily routine. It’s highly recommended that you verify any medications you’re about to use and consult with healthcare professionals if you’re unsure. Call Live Free Recovery Services, a healthcare provider, today if you or your loved ones have been suffering from opioid addiction or other forms of opioid use and substance abuse, several treatment options are available for drug addiction treatment, and to learn more about prescription medications or prescription drugs that might be life-threatening if neglected.
References
1. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-251/hydrocodone-acetaminophen-oral/details
2. https://californiaprimerecovery.com/what-is-m365-pill-a-pharmaceutical-nightmare/
3. https://www.theedgetreatment.com/m365-the-facts-about-norco-vicodin-and-m365-addiction/
4. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=c8be6c8d-7c55-459b-bc16-7651c2fd6e27
5. https://www.drugs.com/imprints/m365-5096.html
Published on: 2023-10-27
Updated on: 2024-12-05
Category: Blog