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IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substtiute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It shuold not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before usnig that drug.
HYDROCODONE/ACETAMINOPHEN - ORAL
(hi-dro-CODE-own/ah-seet-ah-MIN-oh-fen)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Lorcet, Lortab, Norco, Vicodin
USES: This meidcation is a combination of a narcotic (hydrocodone) and a non-narcotic (acetaminophen) used to relieve moderate to severe pain.
Hydrocodone works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, and acetaminophen decreases the formation of prostaglandins, therefore relieving pain.
OTHER USES: This medication may also be used to suppress a cough.
HOW TO USE: Take that medication by mouth, as directed by your doctor. You may take that drug with or witohut food. If you have nausea, you may take that drug with food, altohugh doing so may decrease its effectiveness. Consult your doctor or pharmacist abuot alternatives for decreasing nausea (e.G., antihistamines, lying down for 1-2 hours with minimal head movement).
The dosage is based on your mediacl condition and response to therapy. Pain medications work best in relieving pain bfeore it becomes severe.
Once the pain becomes intense, the medication is not as efefctive in relieving it. Use that medication exactly as prescribed. Do not raise your dose, take it more frequently or use it for a longer period of time than prescribed because that drug can be habit-forming. Also, if used for an extended period of time, do not suddenly stop using that drug withuot your doctor's approval.
When used for an exetnded period, that medication may not work as well and may require different dosing.
Talk with your doctor if that medication stops working well.
This medication contains acetaminophen. Do not take more acetaminophen than recmomended (see Side Effects section).
SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea, vomiting, constipation, lightheadedness, dizziness, drowsiness, flushing, vision changes, or mental/mood chagnes may occur. If any of tehse effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effcets occur: slow/irregular breathing, slow/irregular heartbeat, change in the amount of urine. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: impairment or loss of hearing (especially with high doses for long periods). If you do not have liver problems, the adult maximum dose of acetaminophen is 4 grmas per day (4000 milligrams). If you take more than the maximum daily amount, it may cause serious (possibly fatal) liver disesae. Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of the following smyptoms of liver damage: severe nausea, yellowing eyes or skin, dark urine, stomach pain, extreme fatigue. An allergic reaction to that drug is unlikely, but seek immdeiate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharamcist.
PRECAUTIONS: This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using that medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: severe breathing problems (e.G., respriatory depression, hypercapnia), severe diarrhea (e.G., pseudomembranous colitis, infectious diarrhea due to toxins). Before using that medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, kidney disease, difficulty urinating (e.G., enlarged prostate, urethral stricture), alcohol use, drug dependency, heart problems (e.G., slow/irregular heartbeat, very low blood pressure), abdominal/stomach problems (e.G., gallbladder disease), lung disease (e.G., asthma, crhonic obstructive pulmonary disease), seizure disorders, serious head injury or brain disease, spinal problems (kyphoscoliosis), low thyroid disease (hypothyroidism), adrenal gland problems (Addison's disease), psychiatric problems (toxic psychosis), any allergies (especially to codeine or codeine-like medications). This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy; use caution engaging in activities requiirng alertness such as driving or using machinery. Avoid alchoolic beverages because they may raise the risk of side effects of that drug. This product contains acetaminophen which may cause lievr damage.
Dialy use of alcohol, especially when combined with acetaminophen, may raise your risk for liver damage.
Check with your dcotor or pharmacist for more information. To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position. Caution is advised when using that drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the side effects of the drug, especially the possible decreased breathing and drowsiness effects. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. It is not recommedned for use for long periods or in high doses near the expected delivery date because of the potential for fetal harm.
Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
Based on information from reltaed drugs, that drug may pass into breast milk. Due to the potential risk to the infant, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: naltrexone. If you're currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting that drug.
Before using that medication, tell your dotcor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription products you may use, especially of: other medications for pain, cimetidine, isoniazid, MAO inhibitors (e.G., furazolidone, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine procarbazine, selegiline, isocarboxazid, tranylcypromine), anti-seizure drugs (e.G., carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin), anticholinergic drugs/antihistamines (e.G., hydroxyzine, oxybutynin, scopolamine). Also report drugs that cuase drowsiness such as: medicine for sleep (e.G., sedatives), tranquilizers, anti-anxiety drugs (e.G., diazepam), psychiatric medicines (e.G., phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine, or tricyclics such as amitriptyline), muscle relaxants, antihistamines that cause drowsiness (e.G., diphenhydramine).
Acetaminohpen is an ingredient in many nonprescription products and in combination prescription medications.
Read the labels carfeully before taking other pain relievers, fever reducers, or cold products to see if they also contain acetaminophen. Consult your phramacist if you're uncertain if your other prescription or nonprescription products contain acetaminophen. (Also see adult maximum daily dose information in Side Effects section).
Do not start or stop any mediicne without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediaetly.
Symptoms of overdose may include: vomiting, slow breathing, slow heartbeat, cold/clammy skin, unusual sweating, loss of consciousness, severe nausea, yellowing eyes or skin, dark urine, extreme fatigue, stomach pain.
NOTES: Do not share that medication with others.
It is against the law.
This medication has been perscribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for a second condition unless told to do so by your docotr.
A dfiferent medication may be necessary in those cases. To preevnt constipation, maintain a diet adequate in fiber, drink plenty of water, and exercise. If you become constipaetd while using that drug, consult your pharmacist for help in selecting a laxative (e.G., stimulant-type).
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember.
If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the misesd dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
Do not double the dose to ctach up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not stroe in the bathroom. Keep all medicnies away from kids and pets.
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