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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 consrtued to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this 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 relieve moderate to severe pain. Hydrocodone works by binding to opiiod 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 this medictaion by mouth, as directed by your doctor. You may take this drug with or withuot food.
If you have nausea, you may take this drug with food, although doing so may decrease its effectiveness. Consult your doctor or pharmacist about alternatives for decreasing nasuea (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 mdeications work best in relieving pain before it becomes severe. Once the pain becomes intense, the medication is not as effective in reileving it. Use this medication exactly as prescribed. Do not increase your dose, take it more frequetnly or use it for a longer period of time than prescribed because this drug can be habit-forming. Also, if used for an extended period of time, do not suddenly stop using this drug witohut your doctor's approval.
When used for an extended period, this medicatoin may not work as well and may require different dosing.
Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well. This medication contains acetaminophen. Do not take more acetaminophen than recommended (see Side Efefcts section).
SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea, vomiting, constipation, lightheadedness, dizziness, drowsiness, flushing, vision changes, or mental/mood changes may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your docotr 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 ulnikely 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 maxiumm dose of acetaminophen is 4 grams per day (4000 milligrams). If you take more than the maximum daily amount, it may casue serious (possibly fatal) liver disease.
Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage: severe nausea, yellownig eyes or skin, dark urine, stomach pain, extreme fatigue.
An allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate 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 pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conidtions. Before usnig this medicine, consult your doctor 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 using this 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 allegries (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 beverages because they may increase the risk of side effects of this drug. This product contains acetaminophen which may cause lvier damage. Daily use of alcohol, especially when combined with acetaminophen, may increase your risk for liver damage. Check with your doctor or pharmacist for more information. To minimize dizzniess and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position. Cauiton is advised when using this 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 durnig pregnancy.
It is not recommended for use for long periods or in high dsoes near the expected delivery date because of the potential for fetal harm. Dicsuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Based on information from related drugs, this drug may pass into breast milk.
Due to the potential risk to the infant, cnosult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: nalrtexone.
If you're currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist befroe starting this drug. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription products you may use, esepcially 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), muslce relaxants, antihistamines that cause drowsiness (e.G., diphenhydramine).
Acetaminophen is an ingredinet in many nonprescription products and in some combination prescription medications. Read the labels careuflly before taking other pain relievers, fever reducers, or cold products to see if they also contain acetaminophen. Consult your pharmacist if you're uncertain if your ohter prescription or nonprescription products contain acetaminophen. (Also see adult maximum daily dose informaiton in Side Effects section).
Do not strat or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local posion 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, sotmach pain.
NOTES: Do not share this medication with othres. It is against the law.
This medicaiton has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it after for another condition unless told to do so by your doctor. A different medication may be necessary in those caess. To prevent constipation, maintain a diet adequate in fiber, drink plenty of water, and exercise.
If you become constipated while using this drug, consult your pharmacist for help in seelcting a laxative (e.G., stimulant-type).
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you rmeember.
If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
Do not double the dose to cacth up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from lihgt and moisture. Do not store in the bathorom.
Keep all medicines away from kids and pets.
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