What is hydrocodone and ibuprofen?
Hydrocodone is in a group of drugs called narcotic pain relievers.
Ibuprofen is in a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Ibuprofen works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.
The combination of hydrocodone and ibuprofen is used short-term to relieve severe pain.
This medication is not for treating arthritis pain.
Hydrocodone and ibuprofen may also be used for other purposes not listed in this
medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking hydrocodone and ibuprofen?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to hydrocodone or ibuprofen (Advil,
Motrin).
Hydrocodone may be habit-forming and
should be used only by the person
this medicine was prescribed for
. This medication should never be shared with
another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the
medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.
Taking ibuprofen can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems,
including heart attack or stroke. Do not use this medicine just before or after having heart bypass
surgery (also called coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).
Ibuprofen can also increase your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines,
including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and can
occur without warning at any time while you are taking ibuprofen.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or other
NSAIDs such as Aleve, Orudis, Indocin, Lodine, Voltaren, Toradol, Mobic, Relafen, Feldene,
and others.
Before using hydrocodone and ibuprofen, tell your doctor if you have:
-
heart disease, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, or a
history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;
-
asthma or other breathing disorders;
-
liver or kidney disease;
-
a history of head injury or brain tumor;
-
stomach or intestinal disorder, history of stomach ulcer or
bleeding;
-
underactive thyroid, Addison's disease or other adrenal
gland disorder;
-
curvature of the spine;
-
an enlarged prostate or problems with urination; or
-
mental illness or a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use
hydrocodone and ibuprofen, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during
treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby, and
could cause breathing problems or addiction/withdrawal symptoms in a newborn.
Taking ibuprofen during the last 3 months of pregnancy may harm the unborn baby.
Do not take hydrocodone and ibuprofen during pregnancy unless your doctor has told
you to.
Hydrocodone and ibuprofen may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing
baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine.
How should I take hydrocodone and ibuprofen?
Take this medication 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.
Drink 6 to 8 full glasses of water daily to help prevent constipation while you are
taking hydrocodone and ibuprofen. Ask your doctor about ways to increase the fiber in your diet.
Do not use a stool softener (laxative) without first asking your doctor.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using
hydrocodone and ibuprofen.
Store hydrocodone and ibuprofen 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 happens if I miss a dose of hydrocodone and ibuprofen?
Since hydrocodone and ibuprofen 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.
Where can I get more information about hydrocodone and ibuprofen?
Your pharmacist has information about hydrocodone and ibuprofen written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of hydrocodone and ibuprofen?
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:
-
chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, problems
with vision or balance;
-
sudden numbness or weakness, headache, confusion, or
problems with vision, speech, or balance;
-
black, bloody, or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit
that looks like coffee grounds;
-
swelling or rapid weight gain;
-
shallow breathing, slow heartbeat;
-
confusion, feeling light-headed, fainting;
-
easy bruising or bleeding;
-
nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, itching, dark urine,
clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
-
severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash; or
-
fever, headache, neck stiffness, chills, increased sensitivity
to light, purple spots on the skin, and/or seizure (convulsions).
Less serious side effects may include:
-
headache, dizziness, drowsiness;
-
mild nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, constipation,
diarrhea;
-
blurred vision; 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. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about hydrocodone and ibuprofen?
Ibuprofen can increase your risk of heart attack or stroke. Do not use this medicine just
before or after having heart bypass surgery (also called coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).
Seek emergency medical help if you have chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred
speech, or problems with vision or balance.
Ibuprofen can also increase your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines.
These conditions can be fatal and can occur without warning at any time while you are taking
ibuprofen. Call your doctor at once if you have black, bloody, or tarry stools, or if you cough up
blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
Hydrocodone may be habit-forming and
should be used only by the person
this medicine was prescribed for
. Keep the medication in a secure place where others
cannot get to it.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking hydrocodone and ibuprofen. Alcohol may
increase your risk of stomach bleeding while taking ibuprofen.
Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.
What should I avoid while taking hydrocodone and ibuprofen?
This medication 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.
Do not use any other over-the-counter cold, allergy, or pain medication without first
asking your doctor or pharmacist. Many medicines available over the counter contain ibuprofen
or similar medicines. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains
ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking hydrocodone and ibuprofen. Alcohol can
increase your risk of stomach bleeding caused by ibuprofen.
Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as
cold or allergy medicine, other narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and
medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by
hydrocodone.
What other drugs will affect hydrocodone and ibuprofen?
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
-
antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon) or
imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil);
-
an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan),
phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate);
-
aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs) such as diclofenac (Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin (Indocin), naproxen
(Aleve, Naprosyn), and others;
-
an ACE inhibitor such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril
(Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), quinapril
(Accupril), and others;
-
lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);
-
a bronchodilator (such as Atrovent, Spiriva), diuretics
(water pills), steroid medicines, or blood thinners;
-
methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall);
-
an injected narcotic medication such as pentazocine
(Talwin), butorphanol (Stadol), or nalbuphine Nubain);
-
atropine (Donnatal), dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), or
scopolamine (Transderm-Scop); or
-
bowel or bladder medications such as dicyclomine (Bentyl),
hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin), tolterodine (Detrol) and others.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact
with hydrocodone and ibuprofen. 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.
What happens if I have an overdose of hydrocodone and ibuprofen?
