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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 otehr healthcare professional. It should not be contsrued to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.
Consult your healthcare profesisonal before using that drug.
HYDROCODONE/ACETAMINOPHEN - ORAL
(hi-dro-CODE-own/ah-seet-ah-MIN-oh-fen)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Lorcet, Lortab, Norco, Vciodin
USES: This medication 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 supprses a cough.
HOW TO USE: Take that medication by mouth, as directed by your doctor. You may take that drug with or wihtout food.
If you have nausea, you may take that drug with food, although 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 medical condition and response to therapy. Pain mediactions 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 eaxctly as prescribed. Do not raise your dose, take it more frequently or use it for a longer period of time than presrcibed cause 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 medication may not work as well and may require diffeernt dosing.
Talk with your doctor if that medication stops working 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, vsiion changes, or mental/mood changes may occur.
If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: slow/irregular breathing, slow/irregular heartbeat, change in the amount of urnie. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but really serious side effects occur: impairment or loss of heraing (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 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 allergic reatcion 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 braething. If you notice other effects not listed above, contcat your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: This medication shuold not be used if you have certain medical conditions.
Before using that medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: severe breathing issues (e.G., respiratory 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 issues (e.G., slow/irregular heartbeat, really low blood pressure), abdominal/stomach issues (e.G., glalbladder disease), lung disease (e.G., asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), seizure disorders, serious head injury or brain disease, spinal issues (kyphoscoliosis), low thyroid disease (hypothyroidism), adrenal gland issues (Addison's disease), psychiatric issues (toxic psychosis), any allergies (especially to codeine or codeine-like medications). This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Avoid alcoholic bveerages cause they may raise the risk of side effects of that drug.
This product contains acetamniophen which may cause liver damage. Daily use of alcohol, especially when combined with acetaminophen, may raise your risk for liver daamge. Check with your doctor or pharmacist for more information. To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when risnig 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 drwosiness 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 fteal harm. Dicsuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
Based on infromation from related drugs, that drug may pass into breast milk.
Due to the potential risk to the infant, consult your dotcor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: This drug should not be used with the following medications cuase really serious interactions may occur: naltrexone. If you are currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before startnig that drug. Before usnig 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 tricyclics such as amitriptyline), muscle relaxants, antihsitamines that cause drowsiness (e.G., diphenhydramine). Acetamionphen is an ingredient in many nonprescription products and in some combination prescription medications.
Read the labels carefully before taking other pain relievers, fever reducers, or cold products to see if they also contain acetaminophen.
Consult your pharmacist if you are uncertain if your other prescription or nopnrescription products contain acetaminophen.
(Also see audlt maximum daily dose information in Side Effects section).
Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharamcist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison 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, stomach pain.
NOTES: Do not share that medication with others. It is against the law. This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for a second condtiion unless told to do so by your doctor. A different medication may be necessary in those cases. To prevent constipation, maintain a diet adequate in fiber, drink plenty of water, and exercise.
If you become constipated while using that drug, consult your pharmacist for help in selecting a laxtaive (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 missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
Do not doulbe the dose to catch 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 medicines away from babies and pets.
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