Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

US Brand Name

  1. Anexsia
  2. Ceta Plus
  3. Co-Gesic
  4. Dolorex Forte
  5. Hycet
  6. Lorcet
  7. Lortab
  8. Maxidone
  9. Norco
  10. Stagesic
  11. Vicodin HP
  12. Zydone

Descriptions


Hydrocodone and acetaminophen combination is used to relieve pain severe enough to require opioid treatment and when other pain medicines did not work well enough or cannot be tolerated.

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 under a restricted distribution program called the Opioid Analgesic REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy) program.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

  • Solution
  • Tablet
  • Elixir

Before Using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of hydrocodone and acetaminophen combination capsules and tablets in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of hydrocodone and acetaminophen combination oral solution in children 2 years of age and older. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children younger than 2 years of age.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of hydrocodone and acetaminophen combination in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have confusion and drowsiness, and age-related lung, liver, kidney, or heart problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving hydrocodone and acetaminophen combination.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

  • Nalmefene
  • Naltrexone
  • Safinamide
  • Samidorphan

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

  • Abametapir
  • Acepromazine
  • Alfentanil
  • Almotriptan
  • Alprazolam
  • Amifampridine
  • Amineptine
  • Amiodarone
  • Amitriptyline
  • Amitriptylinoxide
  • Amobarbital
  • Amoxapine
  • Amphetamine
  • Amprenavir
  • Anileridine
  • Aprepitant
  • Aripiprazole
  • Armodafinil
  • Asenapine
  • Atazanavir
  • Baclofen
  • Benperidol
  • Benzphetamine
  • Boceprevir
  • Bosentan
  • Bromazepam
  • Bromopride
  • Brompheniramine
  • Buprenorphine
  • Bupropion
  • Buspirone
  • Butabarbital
  • Butorphanol
  • Calcium Oxybate
  • Cannabidiol
  • Cannabis
  • Carbamazepine
  • Carbinoxamine
  • Carisoprodol
  • Carphenazine
  • Ceritinib
  • Cetirizine
  • Chloral Hydrate
  • Chlordiazepoxide
  • Chlorpheniramine
  • Chlorpromazine
  • Chlorzoxazone
  • Ciprofloxacin
  • Citalopram
  • Clarithromycin
  • Clobazam
  • Clomipramine
  • Clonazepam
  • Clopidogrel
  • Clorazepate
  • Clozapine
  • Cobicistat
  • Cocaine
  • Codeine
  • Conivaptan
  • Crizotinib
  • Cyclobenzaprine
  • Cyclosporine
  • Daridorexant
  • Darunavir
  • Dasabuvir
  • Delavirdine
  • Desipramine
  • Desmopressin
  • Desvenlafaxine
  • Dexamethasone
  • Dexmedetomidine
  • Dextroamphetamine
  • Dextromethorphan
  • Dezocine
  • Diazepam
  • Dibenzepin
  • Dichloralphenazone
  • Difenoxin
  • Dihydrocodeine
  • Diltiazem
  • Diphenhydramine
  • Diphenoxylate
  • Dolasetron
  • Donepezil
  • Doxepin
  • Doxylamine
  • Dronedarone
  • Droperidol
  • Duloxetine
  • Efavirenz
  • Eletriptan
  • Enflurane
  • Enzalutamide
  • Erythromycin
  • Escitalopram
  • Esketamine
  • Eslicarbazepine Acetate
  • Estazolam
  • Eszopiclone
  • Ethchlorvynol
  • Ethopropazine
  • Ethylmorphine
  • Etravirine
  • Fedratinib
  • Fenfluramine
  • Fentanyl
  • Fexinidazole
  • Flibanserin
  • Fluconazole
  • Fluoxetine
  • Fluphenazine
  • Flurazepam
  • Fluspirilene
  • Fluvoxamine
  • Fosamprenavir
  • Fosaprepitant
  • Fosnetupitant
  • Fosphenytoin
  • Fospropofol
  • Frovatriptan
  • Furazolidone
  • Gabapentin
  • Gabapentin Enacarbil
  • Gepirone
  • Granisetron
  • Halazepam
  • Haloperidol
  • Halothane
  • Hexobarbital
  • Hydromorphone
  • Hydroxytryptophan
  • Hydroxyzine
  • Idelalisib
  • Imatinib
  • Imipramine
  • Indinavir
  • Iproniazid
  • Isocarboxazid
  • Isoflurane
  • Isoniazid
  • Itraconazole
  • Ivacaftor
  • Ketamine
  • Ketazolam
  • Ketobemidone
  • Ketoconazole
  • Lacosamide
  • Lasmiditan
  • Lemborexant
  • Lenacapavir
  • Levocetirizine
  • Levomilnacipran
  • Levorphanol
  • Linezolid
  • Lisdexamfetamine
  • Lithium
  • Lofepramine
  • Lofexidine
  • Lomitapide
  • Lopinavir
  • Lorazepam
  • Lorcaserin
  • Loxapine
  • Lumacaftor
  • Magnesium Oxybate
  • Mavacamten
  • Meclizine
  • Melitracen
  • Melperone
  • Meperidine
  • Mephobarbital
  • Meprobamate
  • Meptazinol
  • Mesoridazine
  • Metaxalone
  • Methadone
  • Methamphetamine
  • Methdilazine
  • Methocarbamol
  • Methohexital
  • Methotrimeprazine
  • Methylene Blue
  • Metoclopramide
  • Mibefradil
  • Midazolam
  • Mifepristone
  • Milnacipran
  • Mirtazapine
  • Mitotane
  • Moclobemide
  • Modafinil
  • Molindone
  • Moricizine
  • Morphine
  • Morphine Sulfate Liposome
  • Nafcillin
  • Nalbuphine
  • Naratriptan
  • Nefazodone
  • Nelfinavir
  • Netupitant
  • Nevirapine
  • Nialamide
  • Nicomorphine
  • Nilotinib
  • Nitrazepam
  • Nitrous Oxide
  • Nortriptyline
  • Olanzapine
  • Oliceridine
  • Omaveloxolone
  • Ombitasvir
  • Ondansetron
  • Opipramol
  • Opium
  • Opium Alkaloids
  • Orphenadrine
  • Oxazepam
  • Oxcarbazepine
  • Oxycodone
  • Oxymorphone
  • Ozanimod
  • Palbociclib
  • Palonosetron
  • Papaveretum
  • Paregoric
  • Paritaprevir
  • Paroxetine
  • Pentazocine
  • Pentobarbital
  • Perampanel
  • Perazine
  • Periciazine
  • Perphenazine
  • Phenelzine
  • Phenobarbital
  • Phenytoin
  • Piperacetazine
  • Pipotiazine
  • Piritramide
  • Pixantrone
  • Pneumococcal 13-Valent Vaccine, Diphtheria Conjugate
  • Posaconazole
  • Potassium Oxybate
  • Prazepam
  • Prednisone
  • Pregabalin
  • Primidone
  • Procarbazine
  • Prochlorperazine
  • Promazine
  • Promethazine
  • Propofol
  • Protriptyline
  • Quazepam
  • Quetiapine
  • Ramelteon
  • Ranitidine
  • Ranolazine
  • Rasagiline
  • Remifentanil
  • Remimazolam
  • Remoxipride
  • Rifabutin
  • Rifampin
  • Rifapentine
  • Ritonavir
  • Rizatriptan
  • Ropeginterferon Alfa-2b-njft
  • Saquinavir
  • Scopolamine
  • Secobarbital
  • Selegiline
  • Sertindole
  • Sertraline
  • Sibutramine
  • Sodium Oxybate
  • St John's Wort
  • Sufentanil
  • Sulpiride
  • Sumatriptan
  • Suvorexant
  • Tapentadol
  • Telaprevir
  • Telithromycin
  • Temazepam
  • Thiethylperazine
  • Thiopental
  • Thiopropazate
  • Thioridazine
  • Tianeptine
  • Tilidine
  • Tizanidine
  • Tolonium Chloride
  • Topiramate
  • Tramadol
  • Tranylcypromine
  • Trazodone
  • Triazolam
  • Trifluoperazine
  • Trifluperidol
  • Triflupromazine
  • Trimeprazine
  • Trimipramine
  • Tryptophan
  • Venlafaxine
  • Verapamil
  • Vilazodone
  • Voriconazole
  • Vortioxetine
  • Zaleplon
  • Ziprasidone
  • Zolmitriptan
  • Zolpidem
  • Zopiclone
  • Zotepine
  • Zuranolone

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

  • Acenocoumarol
  • Fosphenytoin
  • Lixisenatide
  • Phenytoin
  • Warfarin
  • Zidovudine

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

  • Ethanol
  • Grapefruit Juice
  • Tobacco

Using this medicine with any of the following may cause an increased risk of certain side effects but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

  • Cabbage

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

  • Addison's disease (adrenal gland problem) or
  • Alcohol abuse, history of or
  • Brain tumor, or history of or
  • Breathing or lung problems (eg, asthma, apnea, COPD, emphysema, hypoxia) or
  • Cor pulmonale (serious heart condition) or
  • CNS depression or
  • Drug dependence, especially narcotic abuse or dependence, or history of or
  • Enlarged prostate (BPH, prostatic hypertrophy) or
  • Head injuries, or history of or
  • Increased pressure in the head or
  • Hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) or
  • Problems with passing urine—Use with caution. May increase risk for more serious side effects.
  • Asthma, acute or severe or
  • Respiratory depression (serious breathing problem) or
  • Stomach or bowel blockage (eg, paralytic ileus), known or suspected—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.
  • Hypotension (low blood pressure) or
  • Pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas) or
  • Seizures, history of—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
  • Kidney disease or
  • Liver disease—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.

Proper Use

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. This is especially important for elderly patients, who may be more sensitive to the effects of pain medicines. If too much of this medicine is taken for a long time, it may become habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence) or cause an overdose. Large amounts of acetaminophen may cause liver damage.

It is very important that you understand the rules of the Opioid Analgesic REMS program to prevent addiction, abuse, and misuse of hydrocodone and acetaminophen combination. This medicine should also come with a Medication Guide and patient information leaflet. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Read it again each time you refill your prescription in case there is new information. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Measure the oral liquid with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, dropper, or medicine cup. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.

This combination medicine contains acetaminophen (Tylenol®). Carefully check the labels of all other medicines you are using, because they may also contain acetaminophen. It is not safe to use more than 4 grams (4,000 milligrams) of acetaminophen in one day (24 hours).

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For moderate to severe pain:
    • For oral dosage form (capsules):
      • Adults—1 or 2 capsules every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 8 capsules per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For oral dosage form (elixir):
      • Adults and children 14 years of age and older and weighing 46 kilograms (kg) and more—11.25 milliliters (mL) every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 67.5 mL per day.
      • Children 10 to 13 years of age and weighing 32 to 45 kg—7.5 mL every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 45 mL per day.
      • Children 7 to 9 years of age and weighing 23 to 31 kg—5.6 mL every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 33.6 mL per day.
      • Children 4 to 6 years of age and weighing 16 to 22 kg—3.75 mL every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 22.5 mL per day.
      • Children 2 to 3 years of age and weighing 12 to 15 kg—2.8 mL every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 16.8 mL per day.
      • Children younger than 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For oral dosage form (7.5 milligrams [mg] per 325 mg per 15 mL solution):
      • Adults and children 14 years of age and older and weighing 46 kg and more—15 milliliters (mL) or 1 tablespoonful every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 90 mL (6 tablespoonfuls) per day.
      • Children 10 to 13 years of age and weighing 32 to 45 kg—10 mL (2 teaspoonfuls) every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 60 mL (12 teaspoonfuls) per day.
      • Children 7 to 9 years of age and weighing 23 to 31 kg—7.5 mL (1 and 1/2 teaspoonfuls) every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 45 mL (9 teaspoonfuls) per day.
      • Children 4 to 6 years of age and weighing 16 to 22 kg—5 mL (1 teaspoonful) every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 30 mL (6 teaspoonfuls) per day.
      • Children 2 to 3 years of age and weighing 12 to 15 kg—3.75 mL (3/4 teaspoonful) every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 22.5 mL (4 and 1/2 teaspoonfuls) per day.
      • Children younger than 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For oral dosage form (10 milligrams [mg] per 325 mg per 15 mL solution):
      • Adults—15 milliliters (mL) or 1 tablespoonful every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 90 mL (6 tablespoonfuls) per day.
      • Children 14 years of age and older and weighing 46 kg and more—11.25 mL (2 and 1/4 teaspoonfuls) every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 67.5 mL (13 and 1/2 teaspoonfuls) per day.
      • Children 10 to 13 years of age and weighing 32 to 45 kg—7.5 mL (1 and 1/2 teaspoonfuls) every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 45 mL (9 teaspoonfuls) per day.
      • Children 7 to 9 years of age and weighing 23 to 31 kg—5.6 mL (1 teaspoonful) every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 33.6 mL (6 and 1/2 teaspoonfuls) per day.
      • Children 4 to 6 years of age and weighing 16 to 22 kg—3.75 mL (3/4 teaspoonful) every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 22.5 mL (4 and 1/2 teaspoonfuls) per day.
      • Children 2 to 3 years of age and weighing 12 to 15 kg—2.8 mL (1/2 teaspoonful) every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 16.8 mL (3 and 1/4 teaspoonfuls) per day.
      • Children younger than 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For oral dosage form (5 milligrams [mg] per 325 mg tablets):
      • Adults—
        • Lortab®: 1 or 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 12 tablets per day.
        • Norco® 5/325: 1 or 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 8 tablets per day.
        • Generic: Dose depends on the strength of the tablet and must be determined by your doctor.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For oral dosage form (7.5 mg per 325 mg tablets):
      • Adults—
        • Lortab®: 1 tablet every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 6 tablets per day.
        • Norco® 7.5/325: 1 tablet every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 6 tablets per day.
        • Generic: Dose depends on the strength of the tablet and must be determined by your doctor.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For oral dosage form (10 mg per 325 mg tablets):
      • Adults—
        • Lortab®: 1 tablet every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 6 tablets per day.
        • Norco® 10/325: 1 tablet every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 6 tablets per day.
        • Generic: Dose depends on the strength of the tablet and must be determined by your doctor.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

If you miss a dose of hydrocodone and acetaminophen oral solution or Norco®, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage

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

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Hydrocodone can cause serious unwanted effects or fatal overdose if taken by children, pets, or adults who are not used to strong narcotic pain medicines. Make sure you store the medicine in a safe and secure place to prevent others from getting it.

Drop off any unused narcotic medicine at a drug take-back location right away. If you do not have a drug take-back location near you, flush any unused narcotic medicine down the toilet. Check your local drug store and clinics for take-back locations. You can also check the DEA web site for locations. Here is the link to the FDA safe disposal of medicines website: www.fda.gov/drugs/resourcesforyou/consumers/buyingusingmedicinesafely/ensuringsafeuseofmedicine/safedisposalofmedicines/ucm186187.htm .

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your or your child's progress while using this medicine, especially within the first 24 to 72 hours of treatment. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you or your child should continue to take it. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Do not use this medicine if you are using or have used an MAO inhibitor (eg, isocarboxazid [Marplan®], linezolid [Zyvox®], phenelzine [Nardil®], selegiline [Eldepryl®], tranylcypromine [Parnate®]) within the past 14 days.

It is against the law and dangerous for anyone else to use your medicine. Keep your unused tablets in a safe and secure place. People who are addicted to drugs might want to steal this medicine.

This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that can make you drowsy or less alert). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for allergies or colds, sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine, other prescription pain medicine or narcotics, medicine for seizures or barbiturates, muscle relaxants, or anesthetics (numbing medicines), including some dental anesthetics. Also, there may be a greater risk of liver damage if you drink three or more alcoholic beverages while you are taking acetaminophen. Do not drink alcoholic beverages, and check with your doctor before taking any of these medicines while you are using this medicine.

This medicine may be habit-forming. If you feel that the medicine is not working as well, do not use more than your prescribed dose.

If you think you or someone else may have taken an overdose of this medicine, get emergency help at once. Your doctor may also give naloxone to treat an overdose. Signs of an overdose include: cold, clammy skin, coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum, dark urine, difficult or trouble breathing, irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing, nausea, vomiting, pain in the upper stomach, pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin, pinpoint pupils of the eyes, or yellow eyes or skin.

This medicine may cause sleep-related breathing problems (eg, sleep apnea, sleep-related hypoxemia). Your doctor may decrease your dose if you have sleep apnea (stop breathing for short periods during sleep) while using this medicine.

This medicine may cause adrenal gland problems. Check with your doctor right away if you have darkening of the skin, diarrhea, dizziness, fainting, loss of appetite, mental depression, nausea, skin rash, unusual tiredness or weakness, or vomiting.

Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, unusual tiredness or weakness, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.

This medicine may cause serious skin reactions (eg, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis). Check with your doctor right away if you have blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, chills, cough, diarrhea, itching, joint or muscle pain, red irritated eyes, red skin lesions, often with a purple center, sore throat, sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

This medicine may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are using this medicine.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur when you get up suddenly from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help lessen this problem. Also, lying down for a while may relieve dizziness or lightheadedness.

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

Using narcotics for a long time can cause severe constipation. To prevent this, your doctor may direct you or your child to take laxatives, drink a lot of fluids, or increase the amount of fiber in your diet. Be sure to follow the directions carefully, because continuing constipation can lead to more serious problems.

Before you or your child have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are taking this medicine. The results of certain tests may be affected by this medicine.

Do not change your dose or suddenly stop using this medicine without first checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you or your child to gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping it completely. This may help prevent worsening of your condition and reduce the possibility of withdrawal symptoms, including stomach cramps, anxiety, fever, nausea, runny nose, sweating, tremors, or trouble with sleeping.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant may cause serious unwanted effects, including neonatal withdrawal syndrome in your newborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if your child has an abnormal sleep pattern, diarrhea, a high-pitched cry, irritability, shakiness or tremors, sneezing, weight loss, vomiting, yawning, or failure to gain weight. Check with your doctor right away if you think you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.

Check with your doctor right away if you have anxiety, restlessness, a fast heartbeat, fever, sweating, muscle spasms, twitching, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or see or hear things that are not there. These may be symptoms of a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. Your risk may be higher if you also take certain other medicines that affect serotonin levels in your body.

Using too much of this medicine may cause infertility (unable to have children). Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

  1. Dizziness
  2. lightheadedness

Incidence not known

  1. Agitation
  2. back, leg, or stomach pains
  3. black, tarry stools
  4. bleeding gums
  5. blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
  6. blood in the urine or stools
  7. blood in vomit
  8. bluish lips or skin
  9. chills
  10. choking
  11. confusion
  12. cough
  13. dark urine
  14. darkening of the skin
  15. decrease in the frequency of urination
  16. decrease in urine volume
  17. diarrhea
  18. difficult or trouble breathing
  19. difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)
  20. difficulty with swallowing
  21. fainting
  22. fast heartbeat
  23. fever
  24. fever with or without chills
  25. general body swelling
  26. general feeling of tiredness or weakness
  27. headache
  28. hoarseness
  29. irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
  30. joint or muscle pain
  31. light-colored stools
  32. loss of appetite
  33. lower back or side pain
  34. mental depression
  35. nausea
  36. nosebleeds
  37. not breathing
  38. overactive reflexes
  39. painful or difficult urination
  40. pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
  41. pinpoint red spots on the skin
  42. poor coordination
  43. puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
  44. red irritated eyes
  45. red skin lesions, often with a purple center
  46. restlessness
  47. severe or continuing stomach pain
  48. shivering
  49. skin rash, hives, or itching
  50. sore throat
  51. sore tongue
  52. sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
  53. sweating
  54. talking or acting with excitement you cannot control
  55. tightness in the chest
  56. trembling or shaking
  57. twitching
  58. unable to speak
  59. unusual bleeding or bruising
  60. unusual tiredness or weakness
  61. upper right abdominal or stomach pain
  62. vomiting
  63. yellow eyes and skin

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

  1. Bloody or cloudy urine
  2. change in consciousness
  3. chest pain or discomfort
  4. cold and clammy skin
  5. coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum
  6. decreased awareness or responsiveness
  7. difficult or trouble breathing
  8. extreme drowsiness
  9. general feeling of discomfort or illness
  10. increased sweating
  11. irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
  12. irregular heartbeat
  13. lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
  14. loss of consciousness
  15. no blood pressure or pulse
  16. no muscle tone or movement
  17. not breathing
  18. pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
  19. severe sleepiness
  20. slow or irregular heartbeat
  21. stopping of heart
  22. sudden decrease in the amount of urine
  23. swelling in the legs and ankles
  24. unpleasant breath odor

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

  1. Drowsiness
  2. relaxed and calm feeling
  3. sleepiness

Incidence not known

  1. Belching
  2. changes in mood
  3. difficulty having a bowel movement
  4. fear or nervousness
  5. feeling of indigestion
  6. hearing loss
  7. impaired hearing
  8. pain in the chest below the breastbone
  9. unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

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

Portions of this document last updated: April 01, 2024

Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/hydrocodone-and-acetaminophen-oral-route/proper-use/drg-20074089