Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen (By mouth)

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Treats pain. This medicine contains a narcotic pain reliever.

Drug classes

Analgesic, Opioid/Acetaminophen Combination (About this – PubMed Health)

Uses

Uses of This Medicine

Hydrocodone and acetaminophen combination is used to relieve moderate to moderately severe pain.

Acetaminophen is used to relieve pain and reduce fever in patients. It does not become habit-forming when taken for a long time. But acetaminophen may cause other unwanted effects when taken in large doses, including liver damage.

Hydrocodone belongs to the group of medicines called narcotic analgesics (pain medicines). It acts on the central nervous system (CNS) to relieve pain, and stops or prevents cough.

When hydrocodone is used for a long time, it may become habit-forming, causing mental or physical dependence. However, people who have continuing pain should not let the fear of dependence keep them from using narcotics to relieve their pain. Mental dependence (addiction) is not likely to occur when narcotics are used for this purpose. Physical dependence may lead to withdrawal side effects if treatment is stopped suddenly. However, severe withdrawal side effects can usually be prevented by gradually reducing the dose over a period of time before treatment is stopped completely.

This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.

Other uses (PubMed Health)

How To Use

Tablet, Liquid, Capsule

Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.

Drink plenty of liquids to help avoid constipation.

Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Some medicines can affect how hydrocodone/acetaminophen works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:

An MAO inhibitor Medicine to treat depression

This medicine can intensify the effects of alcohol, sedatives, or tranquilizers. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol or if you are using any medicine that makes you sleepy, such as allergy medicine or another narcotic pain medicine. Acetaminophen can damage your liver, and your risk is higher if you also drink alcohol.

When Not To Use

This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to acetaminophen, hydrocodone, or other narcotic medicines.

Warnings

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have lung disease, liver disease, kidney disease, problems urinating, an underactive thyroid, Addison disease, prostate problems, stomach problems, or a history of head injury or brain tumor.

This medicine may cause the following problems:

Liver problems Serious skin reactions

This medicine can be habit-forming. Do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor if you think your medicine is not working.

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or doing anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

Too much of this medicine can cause death. Symptoms of an overdose include extreme dizziness or weakness, trouble breathing, slow heartbeat, seizure, and cold, clammy skin.

This medicine contains acetaminophen. Read the labels of all other medicines you are using to see if they also contain acetaminophen, or ask your doctor or pharmacist. Do not use more than 4 grams (4,000 milligrams) total of acetaminophen in one day.

Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

This medicine may cause constipation, especially with long-term use. Ask your doctor if you should use a laxative to prevent and treat constipation.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible side effects

Summary More details

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Blistering, peeling, red skin rash

Change in how much or how often you urinate

Dark urine or pale stools, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes

Extreme weakness, shallow breathing, slow heartbeat, sweating, cold or clammy skin

Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting

Unusual bleeding or bruising

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Constipation, nausea, vomiting

Tiredness or sleepiness

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

More side effects of this drug

Brand names include

Anexsia, Ceta Plus, Co-Gesic, Dolorex Forte, Hycet, Lorcet, Lorcet HD, Lorcet Plus, Lortab, Lortab 10/325, Lortab 5/325, Lortab 7.5/325, Lortab Elixir, Maxidone, Norco, Stagesic, Verdrocet, Vicodin, Vicodin ES, Vicodin HP, Xodol, Xodol 5/300, Zydone

There may be other brand names for this medicine.