What is acetaminophen and hydrocodone?
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 acetaminophen and hydrocodone is used to relieve moderate to severe
pain.
Acetaminophen and hydrocodone may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking acetaminophen and hydrocodone?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to acetaminophen (Tylenol) or hydrocodone.
Hydrocodone may be habit-forming and
should be used only by the person it
was prescribed for
. Acetaminophen and hydrocodone 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.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to
safely use this medication:
-
asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, or other breathing disorders;
-
liver or kidney disease;
-
a history of head injury or brain tumor;
-
low blood pressure;
-
a stomach or intestinal disorder;
-
underactive thyroid;
-
Addison's disease or other adrenal gland disorder;
-
curvature of the spine;
-
mental illness; or
-
a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
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 hydrocodone, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to
become pregnant during treatment.
Acetaminophen and hydrocodone can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby.
Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take acetaminophen and hydrocodone?
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 hydrocodone 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 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 hydrocodone. 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 acetaminophen and
hydrocodone 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 hydrocodone.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using
acetaminophen and hydrocodone. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Store acetaminophen and hydrocodone 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 acetaminophen and hydrocodone?
Since acetaminophen and hydrocodone 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 hydrocodone?
Your pharmacist has information about acetaminophen and hydrocodone written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of acetaminophen and hydrocodone?
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;
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feeling light-headed, fainting;
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confusion, fear, unusual thoughts or behavior;
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seizure (convulsions);
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problems with urination; 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 may include:
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feeling anxious, dizzy, or drowsy;
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mild nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, constipation;
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headache, mood changes;
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blurred vision;
-
ringing in your ears; or
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dry mouth.
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.
What is the most important information I should know about acetaminophen and hydrocodone?
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.
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.
Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.
What should I avoid while taking acetaminophen and hydrocodone?
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 hydrocodone. Alcohol may
increase your risk of liver damage while taking acetaminophen.
Cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers,
antidepressants, or seizure medication can add to sleepiness caused by hydrocodone, or could slow
your breathing. Tell your doctor if you need to use any of these other medicines while you are taking
acetaminophen and hydrocodone.
What other drugs will affect acetaminophen and hydrocodone?
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
-
an antidepressant 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
acetaminophen and hydrocodone. 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 hydrocodone?
