What is acetaminophen and codeine?
Codeine is in a group of drugs called narcotic pain relievers. Acetaminophen is a less potent
pain reliever that increases the effects of codeine.
The combination of acetaminophen and codeine is used to relieve moderate to severe pain.
Acetaminophen and codeine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication
guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking acetaminophen and codeine?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to acetaminophen (Tylenol) or codeine.
Codeine may be habit-forming and
should be used only by the person it was
prescribed for
. Acetaminophen and codeine should never be given to 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.
Before using acetaminophen and codeine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if
you have:
-
asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, or other breathing disorders;
-
liver or kidney disease;
-
a history of head injury or brain tumor;
-
epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
-
low blood pressure;
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a stomach or intestinal disorder;
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underactive thyroid;
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Addison's disease or other adrenal gland disorder;
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enlarged prostate, urination problems;
-
curvature of the spine;
-
mental illness; or
-
a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or
special tests to safely take this medication.
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.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether this medication is harmful to an
unborn baby, but it could cause breathing problems or addiction/withdrawal symptoms in a newborn.
Before you take acetaminophen and codeine, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become
pregnant during treatment.
Acetaminophen and codeine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. The
use of codeine by some nursing mothers may lead to life-threatening side effects in the baby. Do not
use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take acetaminophen and codeine?
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.
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
acetaminophen and codeine tablet may contain up to 650 mg of acetaminophen. Know the amount of
acetaminophen in the specific product you are taking.
Take this medicine with a full glass of water.
Take with food or milk to ease stomach upset.
Measure the liquid form of this medication 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
acetaminophen and codeine. Do not use a stool softener (laxative) without first asking your doctor.
You may have withdrawal symptoms when you stop using acetaminophen and codeine after
using it over a long period of time. Do not stop using this medication suddenly without first talking to
your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain urine tests. Tell any doctor
who treats you that you are using acetaminophen and codeine.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using
acetaminophen and codeine. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Store acetaminophen and codeine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Keep track of how many tablets have been used from each new bottle of this medicine.
Codeine 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 acetaminophen and codeine?
Since acetaminophen and codeine 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 acetaminophen and codeine?
Your pharmacist has information about acetaminophen and codeine written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of acetaminophen and codeine?
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:
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shallow breathing, slow heartbeat;
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feeling light-headed, fainting;
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confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior;
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seizure (convulsions);
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easy bruising or bleeding; or
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nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, itching, dark urine,
clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects include:
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about acetaminophen and codeine?
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.
Do not use more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of acetaminophen
can cause serious harm. The maximum amount of acetaminophen for adults is 1 gram (1000 mg) per
dose and 4 grams (4000 mg) per day. Taking more acetaminophen could cause damage to your liver.
If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day, talk to your doctor before taking
acetaminophen and never use more than 2 grams (2000 mg) per day.
Do not use any other cold, allergy, pain, or sleep medication without first asking your
doctor or pharmacist. Acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as "APAP") is contained in many
combination medicines. If you use certain products together you may accidentally use too much
acetaminophen. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains acetaminophen
or APAP.
Codeine 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.
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.
What should I avoid while taking acetaminophen and codeine?
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 cold, allergy, pain, or sleep medication without first asking your
doctor or pharmacist. Acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as "APAP") is contained in many
combination medicines. If you use certain products together you may accidentally use too much
acetaminophen. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains acetaminophen
or APAP.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking acetaminophen and codeine. Alcohol may increase
your risk of liver damage while taking acetaminophen.
What other drugs will affect acetaminophen and codeine?
Before taking acetaminophen and codeine, tell your doctor if you regularly use other
medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, other pain medicine,
sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to
sleepiness caused by codeine.
Also tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
-
glycopyrrolate (Robinul);
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mepenzolate (Cantil);
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atropine (Donnatal, and others), benztropine (Cogentin),
dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), 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 ipratroprium (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
acetaminophen and codeine. 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 acetaminophen and codeine?