Change Font Size HYDROCODONE DRUG INFO ACETAMINOPHEN-HYDROCODONE (Lortab®, Lorcet®,Vicodin®, and others) is a combination of two different types of painmedicine and is used to treat moderate to severe pain. Federal lawprohibits the transfer of acetaminophen-hydrocodone to any person otherthan the patient for whom it was prescribed. Genericacetaminophen-hydrocodone tablets and capsules are available.Acetaminophen-hydrocodone is also available as caplets.What should my health care professional know before I take acetaminophen-hydrocodone?Theyneed to know if you have any of these conditions:; drink more than 3alcohol-containing drinks per day; anemia; infection; heart orcirculation problems; lung disease or breathing difficulties; kidneydisease; liver disease; problems urinating; seizures or otherneurologic disorders; hepatitis; constipation; an unusual or allergicreaction to acetaminophen, hydrocodone, other opioid analgesics, foods,dyes or preservatives; pregnant or trying to get pregnant;breast-feedingHow should I take this medicine?Takeacetaminophen-hydrocodone tablets or capsules by mouth. Follow thedirections on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets whole with afull glass of water. You can take acetaminophen-hydrocodone with foodto prevent stomach upset. Do not take your medicine more often thandirected.Contact your pediatrician or health care professionalregarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may beneeded.Do not share this medicine with anyone.What if I miss a dose?Ifyou miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time foryour next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.Whatdrug(s) may interact with acetaminophen-hydrocodone?; medicines forseizures; medicines for high blood pressure; alcohol; warfarin;cimetidine; antacidsBecause acetaminophen-hydrocodone can causedrowsiness, other medicines that also cause drowsiness may increasethis effect of acetaminophen-hydrocodone. Some other medicines thatcause drowsiness are:; alcohol-containing medicines; barbiturates suchas phenobarbital; certain antidepressants or tranquilizers; musclerelaxants; certain antihistamines used in cold medicinesTellyour prescriber or health care professional about all other medicinesyou are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritionalsupplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or healthcare professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine oralcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affectthe way your medicine works. Check with your health care professionalbefore stopping or starting any of your medicines.What side effects may I notice from taking acetaminophen-hydrocodone?Elderly patients are more likely to get side effects.Sideeffects that you should report to your prescriber or health careprofessional as soon as possible:; chest pain or irregular heartbeat;difficulty breathing, wheezing; severe rash; cold, clammy skin; unusualweakness; fever, chills, muscle aches and painsSide effectsthat usually do not require medical attention (report to yourprescriber or health care professional if they continue or arebothersome):; constipation; dizziness, drowsiness; confusion; gas orheartburn; nausea, vomiting; dry mouth; itching; flushing; pinpointpupilsWhat should I watch for while taking acetaminophen-hydrocodone?Tellyour prescriber or health care professional if your pain does not goaway, if it gets worse, or if you have new or different type of pain.Do not take other pain medicines with acetaminophen-hydrocodone withoutadvice.Use exactly as directed by your prescriber or healthcare professional. Do not take more than the recommended dose due tothe possibility of liver damage or effects on your breathing.Ifyou get flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, muscle aches and pains), callyour prescriber or health care professional; do not treat yourself.Ifyou are receiving cancer chemotherapy or other immunosuppressionmedicine, do not take acetaminophen with out checking with yourprescriber or health care professional. Acetaminophen may hide thesigns of an infection such as fever or pain.To reduceunpleasant effects on your throat and stomach, takeacetaminophen-hydrocodone with a full glass of water and never justbefore lying down. You may also take it with food or milk.Acetaminophen-hydrocodonemay make you drowsy when you first start taking it or change doses. Donot drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertnessuntil you know how acetaminophen-hydrocodone affects you. Do not sit orstand up quickly. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.These effects may be worse if you are an older patient. The drowsinessshould decrease after taking acetaminophen-hydrocodone for a couple ofdays. If you have not slept because of your pain, you may sleep morethe first few days your pain is controlled to catch-up on missed sleep.Becareful taking other medicines that may also make you tired. Thiseffect may be worse when taking these medicines withacetaminophen-hydrocodone. Alcohol can increase possible drowsiness,dizziness, confusion and affect your breathing. Alcohol can increasepossible damage to your liver. Avoid alcohol while takingacetaminophen-hydrocodone.Acetaminophen-hydrocodone can causeconstipation. Make sure to take a laxative and/or a stool softener. Tryto have a bowel movement at least every 2-3 days. If you do not have abowel movement for 3 days or more call your prescriber or health careprofessional. They may recommend using an enema or suppository to helpyou move your bowels.Many non-prescription medicines containacetaminophen as an ingredient. Always read the labels carefully toavoid taking an accidental overdose, which can be dangerous.Acetaminophencan affect the results from some blood sugar tests used by diabeticpatients. Check with your prescriber or health care professional beforeyou change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine.If you are going to have surgery tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking acetaminophen-hydrocodone.Where can I keep my medicine?Keepout of the reach of children in a container that small children cannotopen. Do not share or give this medicine to anyone else. Avoidaccidental swallowing of acetaminophen-hydrocodone by someone(especially children) other than for whom it was prescribed as this mayresult in severe side effects and possibly death.Store at roomtemperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protectfrom light. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unusedmedicine after the expiration date. $69