Acetaminophen; Hydrocodone Capsules or Tablets

What is this medication?

ACETAMINOPHEN; HYDROCODONE (a set a MEE noe fen; hye droe KOE done) treats moderate pain. It is prescribed when other pain medications have not worked or cannot be tolerated. It works by blocking pain signals in the brain. This medication is a combination of acetaminophen and an opioid.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Anexsia, Bancap HC, Ceta-Plus, Co-Gesic, Comfortpak, Dolagesic, Dolorex Forte, DuoCet, Hydrocet, Hydrogesic, Lorcet, Lorcet HD, Lorcet Plus, Lortab, Margesic H, Maxidone, Norco, Polygesic, Stagesic, Vanacet, Verdrocet, Vicodin, Vicodin ES, Vicodin HP, Xodol, Zydone

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Brain tumor
• Drug abuse or addiction
• Head injury
• Heart disease
• If you often drink alcohol
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Low adrenal gland function
• Lung disease, asthma, or breathing problems
• Seizures
• Stomach or intestine problems
• Taken an MAOI like Marplan, Nardil, or Parnate in the last 14 days
• An unusual or allergic reaction to acetaminophen, hydrocodone, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medication by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. You can take it with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food. Do not take your medication more often than directed.

A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.

Talk to your care team regarding the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

This medication may interact with the following:

• Alcohol
• Antiviral medications for HIV or AIDS
• Atropine
• Antihistamines for allergy, cough and cold
• Certain antibiotics like erythromycin, clarithromycin
• Certain medications for anxiety or sleep
• Certain medications for bladder problems like oxybutynin, tolterodine
• Certain medications for depression like amitriptyline, fluoxetine, sertraline
• Certain medications for fungal infections like ketoconazole and itraconazole
• Certain medications for Parkinson's disease like benztropine, trihexyphenidyl
• Certain medications for seizures like carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone
• Certain medications for stomach problems like dicyclomine, hyoscyamine
• Certain medications for travel sickness like scopolamine
• General anesthetics like halothane, isoflurane, methoxyflurane, propofol
• Ipratropium
• Local anesthetics like lidocaine, pramoxine, tetracaine
• MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
• Medications that relax muscles for surgery
• Other medications with acetaminophen
• Other narcotic medications for pain or cough
• Phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine
• Rifampin

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Tell your care team if your pain does not go away, if it gets worse, or if you have new or a different type of pain. You may develop tolerance to this medication. Tolerance means that you will need a higher dose of the medication for pain relief. Tolerance is normal and is expected if you take this medication for a long time.

There are different types of narcotic medications (opioids) for pain. If you take more than one type at the same time, you may have more side effects. Give your care team a list of all medications you use. He or she will tell you how much medication to take. Do not take more medication than directed. Call emergency services if you have problems breathing.

Do not suddenly stop taking your medication because you may develop a severe reaction. Your body becomes used to the medication. This does NOT mean you are addicted. Addiction is a behavior related to getting and using a medication for a nonmedical reason. If you have pain, you have a medical reason to take pain medication. Your care team will tell you how much medication to take. If your care team wants you to stop the medication, the dose will be slowly lowered over time to avoid any side effects.

Talk to your care team about naloxone and how to get it. Naloxone is an emergency medication used for an opioid overdose. An overdose can happen if you take too much opioid. It can also happen if an opioid is taken with some other medications or substances, like alcohol. Know the symptoms of an overdose, like trouble breathing, unusually tired or sleepy, or not being able to respond or wake up. Make sure to tell caregivers and close contacts where it is stored. Make sure they know how to use it. After naloxone is given, you must call emergency services. Naloxone is a temporary treatment. Repeat doses may be needed.

Do not take other medications that contain acetaminophen with this medication. Many non-prescription medications contain acetaminophen. Always read labels carefully. If you have questions, ask your care team.

If you take too much acetaminophen, get medical help right away. Too much acetaminophen can be very dangerous and cause liver damage. Even if you do not have symptoms, it is important to get help right away.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medication affects you. Do not stand up or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medication. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

This medication will cause constipation. If you do not have a bowel movement for 3 days, call your care team.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your care team if the problem does not go away or is severe.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• CNS depression—slow or shallow breathing, shortness of breath, feeling faint, dizziness, confusion, trouble staying awake
• Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
• Low adrenal gland function—nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness
• Low blood pressure—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurry vision
• Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Headache
• Nausea
• Trouble sleeping
• Upset stomach
• Vomiting

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets. This medication can be abused. Keep your medication in a safe place to protect it from theft. Do not share this medication with anyone. Selling or giving away this medication is dangerous and against the law.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F).

This medication may cause harm and death if it is taken by other adults, children, or pets. It is important to get rid of the medication as soon as you no longer need it or it is expired. You can do this in two ways:

• Take the medication to a medication take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location.
• If you cannot return the medication, flush it down the toilet.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.