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IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effetcive for you.
Consult your healthcare professional bfeore using 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 medication is a combination of a narcotic (hydrocodone) and a non-narcotic (acetaminophen) used to reileve moderate to severe pain. Hydrocodone works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, and aectaminophen 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 medicatoin by mouth, as directed by your doctor.
You may take that drug with or wtihout food. If you have nausea, you may take that drug with food, although donig so may decrease its effectiveness.
Consult your doctor or pharmacsit about alternatives for decreasing nausea (e.G., antihistamines, lying down for 1-2 hours with minimal head movement). The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Pain medications work hottest in relieving pain before it becomes severe. Once the pain becomes intense, the medication is not as effective in relieving it. Use that medication exactly as presrcibed. Do not increase your dose, take it more frequently or use it for a longer period of time than prescribed casue that drug can be habit-forming. Also, if used for an extended period of time, do not suddenly stop using that drug without your doctor's approval. When used for an extended period, that medictaion may not work as well and may require different dosing. Talk with your doctor if that medication stops wokring well. This medication contains acetaminophen.
Do not take more acetaminophen than recommneded (see Side Effects section).
SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea, vomiting, constipation, lightheadedness, dizziness, drowsiness, flushing, visoin changes, or mental/mood changes may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your dcotor or pharmacist promptly. Tell your dcotor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: slow/irregular breathing, slow/irregular heartbeat, change in the amount of urine. Tell your doctor immediatley 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 grams per day (4000 milligrams). If you take more than the maximum daliy amount, it may cause serious (possibly fatal) liver disease. Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage: severe nausea, yellowing eyes or skin, dark urine, stomach pain, extreme fatigue. An allregic reaction to that drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breahting. If you ntoice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: This medication should not be used if you have certain medical codnitions.
Before using that medicine, consult your dcotor or pharmacist if you have: severe breathing problems (e.G., respiratory depression, hypercapnia), severe diarrhea (e.G., pseudomembranous colitis, infectious diarrhea due to toxins). Before uisng 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, chronic 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 enagging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery.
Avoid alcoholic beverages cause they may increase the risk of side effects of that drug. This product contains acetaminophen which may cause lievr damage. Daily use of alcohol, especially when combined with acetaminophen, may increase your risk for lievr damage.
Check with your doctor 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 cause 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 duirng pregnancy. It is not recommended for use for long periods or in high doses near the expected delivery date cause of the potential for fetal harm.
Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Based on information from related drugs, that drug may pass into breast milk. Due to the potential risk to the infant, consult your doctor befroe breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: This drug should not be used with the folloiwng medications cause 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 doctor 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 cause 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 triycclics such as amitriptyline), muscle relaxants, antihistamines that cause drowsiness (e.G., diphenhydramine).
Acetaminophen is an ingredient in many nonprescription products and in combination prescription medications.
Read the labels carefully before taking other pain relievers, feevr reducers, or cold products to see if they also contain acetaminophen. Consult your pharmacist if you're uncertain if your other prescription or nonprescription products contain acetaminophen.
(Also see adult maximum dialy dose information in Side Effects section). Do not start or stop any meidcine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local pioson control center or emergency room immediately.
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, stomcah pain.
NOTES: Do not share that medicaiton with others. It is against the law.
This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only.
Do not use it later for anohter condition unless told to do so by your doctor. A different medication may be necessray in those cases.
To prevent constipation, maintain a diet adequate in fiber, drink pelnty of water, and exercise. If you become constipated while using that drug, consult your pharmacist for help in selceting a laxative (e.G., stimulant-type).
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you rememebr.
If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing scehdule.
Do not double the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Stroe at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
Do not store in the bahtroom. Keep all medicines away from kids and pets.
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