| Topics | Fast Facts |
|---|
| Generic name |
- hydrocodone and acetaminophen (pronounced hye droe KOE done and a seet a MIN oh fen) (generic available)
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| Common brand names |
- Vicodin, Vicodin ES, Vicodin HP, Lorcet 10/650, Lorcet Plus, Lortab, Maxidone, Norco, Zydone, Co-Gesic, Hycet, Margesic H, Stagesic, Xodol 10/300, Xodol 5/300, Xodol 7.5/300, Zamicet
|
| Uses |
- Treats moderate to severe pain
|
| Usual dose limits |
- Moderate pain: 2½ (2.5) to 5 mg of hydrocodone every 4 to 6 hours
- Severe pain: 10 mg of hydrocodone every 4 to 6 hours
- Do not exceed 3,000 to 4,000 mg each day of acetaminophen (depending on what your doctor prescribed, each tablet or liquid dose contains between 300 mg and 750 mg of acetaminophen)
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| Special instructions and precautions |
- Take exactly as prescribed
- Call your doctor if your pain is not relieved; do not take an extra dose
- Do not take regular acetaminophen (Tylenol) while taking this medicine
- Do not take nonprescription cough and cold medicines or other medicines that contain acetaminophen while taking this medicine
- Do not drive or operate machinery while taking this medicine because it may make you sleepy and impair your coordination; use caution when climbing stairs
- Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine
- Do not start or stop any medicine, including nonprescription medicines, herbals, and vitamins, without letting your doctor or pharmacist know
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| Possible drug dependence with long-term use |
- Hydrocodone is an opioid that causes an exaggerated sense of well-being, which can lead to physical and psychological dependence with long-term use
- Abruptly stopping the medicine after long-term use can lead to withdrawal symptoms (see safety tip #10)
- Serious dependence rarely occurs when the medicine is taken as prescribed for short-term relief of pain
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| Safety during pregnancy/breastfeeding |
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or become pregnant
- Use of this medicine during pregnancy may produce physical dependence in a newborn
- Avoid taking this medicine for long periods or in high doses near your due date
- Hydrocodone enters breast milk, so breastfeeding is not recommended
- If taken while breastfeeding, let your baby's doctor know, take doses immediately after breastfeeding or 3 to 4 hours before the next feeding, and immediately report changes in your baby, such as increased sleepiness (beyond the usual), breathing difficulties, changes in the baby's feeding pattern, or limpness
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| Tell your doctor if you have: |
- Diseases: liver disease, lung disease, breathing problems, heart disease, a head injury, history of seizures, thyroid disorder, Addison's disease
- Allergies to: acetaminophen, codeine, other powerful pain relievers
- Been taking illicit drugs or drink 3 or more alcoholic beverages daily
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| Storage and disposal |
- Store at room temperature, protect from light and moisture
- Dispose of tablets securely in the trash; do not flush down the toilet
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| Side effects to report to your doctor immediately |
- Difficulty breathing, very slow breathing, slow heart rate, persistent dizziness or headache, excessive sleepiness, confusion, weakness, trembling, blurred vision, vomiting, muscle spasms, difficulty urinating, hearing loss, allergic reaction
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| Other conditions to report to your doctor |
- Constipation, nausea, itchiness, skin rash
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| Nonprescription medicines/herbals that should not be taken with hydrocodone and acetaminophen |
- Acetaminophen (including Tylenol)
- Cough and cold medicines that contain acetaminophen
- Herbals such as valerian, St. John's wort, SAMe, kava kava
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| Prescription medicines that should not be taken with hydrocodone and acetaminophen |
- Other prescription medicine that contains acetaminophen
- Sedatives, tranquilizers, antihistamines, other strong pain medicines
- Alvimopan (Entereg), imatinib (Gleevec)
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