Hydrocodone is an opioid pain reliever that is often administered to treat moderate to severe pain. Hydrocodone is a codeine-derived synthetic opioid. It is frequently combined with acetaminophen to treat moderate to severe pain. Historically, hydrocodone was utilized as a cough suppressant, but dextromethorphan has essentially superseded it in modern cough and cold formulations. Hydromorphone is also widely utilized as an analgesic and is regularly used in severe pain conditions. ​