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What is hydrocodone and acetaminophen?
Hydrocodone is in a group of drugs called narcotic pain relievers.
Acetaminophen is a less potent pain reliever that increases the effects of hydrocodone.
The combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen is used to relieve moderate to severe pain.
This medicine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this guide.
Important information about hydrocodone and acetaminophen
Tell your doctor if you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day or if you have ever had alcoholic liver disease (cirrhosis). You may not be able to take medication that contains acetaminophen.
Hydrocodone may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it. Hydrocodone can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.
How should I take acetaminophen and hydrocodone?
Take hydrocodone and acetaminophen exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.
An overdose of acetaminophen can cause serious harm to your liver. The maximum amount of acetaminophen for adults is 1 gram (1000 mg) per dose and 4 grams (4000 mg) per day. One hydrocodone and acetaminophen tablet may contain up to 750 mg of acetaminophen. Know the amount of acetaminophen in the specific product you are taking.
Measure the liquid form of hydrocodone and acetaminophen with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.
Drink 6 to 8 full glasses of water daily to help prevent constipation while you are taking hydrocodone and acetaminophen. Ask your doctor about ways to increase the fiber in your diet. Do not use a stool softener (laxative) without first asking your doctor. You may have withdrawal symptoms when you stop using hydrocodone and acetaminophen after using it over a long period of time. Do not stop using hydrocodone and acetaminophen suddenly without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since hydrocodone and acetaminophen is taken as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Hydrocodone and acetaminophen side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
* shallow breathing, slow heartbeat;
* feeling light-headed, fainting;
* confusion, fear, unusual thoughts or behavior;
* seizure (convulsions);
* problems with urination; or
* nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious hydrocodone and acetaminophen side effects may include:
* feeling anxious, dizzy, or drowsy;
* mild nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, constipation;
* headache, mood changes;
* blurred vision;
* ringing in your ears; or
* dry mouth.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain urine tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using hydrocodone and acetaminophen.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using hydrocodone and acetaminophen. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Store hydrocodone and acetaminophen at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Keep track of how many tablets have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. Hydrocodone is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.
What other drugs will affect hydrocodone and acetaminophen?
Before taking hydrocodone and acetaminophen, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
* antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), clomipramine (Anafranil), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), and others;
* an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate);
* atropine (Donnatal, and others), benztropine (Cogentin), dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), glycopyrrolate (Robinul), mepenzolate (Cantil), methscopolamine (Pamine), or scopolamine (Transderm-Scop);
* bladder or urinary medications such as darifenacin (Enablex), flavoxate (Urispas), oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol), tolterodine (Detrol), or solifenacin (Vesicare);
* a bronchodilator such as ipratropium (Atrovent) or tiotropium (Spiriva); or
* irritable bowel medications such as dicyclomine (Bentyl), hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin, and others), or propantheline (Pro-Banthine).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with hydrocodone and acetaminophen. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
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