Type of medicine: narcotic analgesic (painkiller)
Generic and brand names: hydrocodone and acetaminophen, oral; Hycet; Lorcet 10/650; Lorcet Plus; Lortab 10/500; Lortab Liquid; Lortab-5/500; Lortab-7.5/500; Norco; Stagesic; Vicodin; Vicodin ES; Vicodin HP; Zydone
This medicine is a combination of a narcotic analgesic and a non-narcotic analgesic (acetaminophen).
It is taken by mouth to treat moderate to severe pain.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have:
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Take it only for the condition for which it was prescribed. Do not take more or take it for a longer time than prescribed. Taking too much of this medicine may be habit-forming or may lead to an overdose.
If you are taking the liquid form of this medicine, use a special measuring spoon or syringe to measure each dose accurately. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of medicine. You may need to shake the bottle well before pouring a dose. Check the label on the medicine for directions.
This medicine contains acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as “APAPâ€). Taking too much acetaminophen can cause liver damage. Early symptoms of liver damage may include loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. You should not take more than 4000 mg of acetaminophen per day or as directed by your healthcare provider. You may need a lower amount of acetaminophen, especially if you drink alcohol or take certain other medicines. If you do not know how much acetaminophen is in your medicine, ask your pharmacist. Many nonprescription products such as those for pain, cold and flu, allergy, and trouble sleeping contain acetaminophen. Check the label or ask your pharmacist to avoid taking too much acetaminophen.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Taking it with meals may lessen the chance the drug will upset your stomach.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: extreme drowsiness, pinpoint pupils, confusion, shallow breathing, breathing that stops, cold or clammy skin, slow or irregular heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, sweating, seizures, dark urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes, coma.
This medicine may cause severe liver damage if:
Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines while you are taking this medicine unless your healthcare provider approves.
Do not take this medicine for more than 2 weeks. If you still have trouble sleeping after 2 weeks, contact your healthcare provider. If pain gets worse or lasts for more than 10 days, or if fever gets worse or lasts more than 3 days, contact your healthcare provider.
You may need to take this medicine for a long time. If you need to take this medicine for more than a few days, do not stop taking it suddenly. You may have to reduce your dosage gradually to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.
You may feel dizzy or faint when you get up quickly after sitting or lying down. Getting up slowly may lessen this effect. Also, drinking alcohol may increase this effect.
Contact your healthcare provider if your symptoms do not improve in a few days or if they get worse.
This medicine may make you constipated. You may need to take a laxative or stool softener while taking this medicine. Talk with healthcare provider or pharmacist about this.
Adults over the age of 65 may be at greater risk for side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
This medicine is a controlled substance. It is illegal for you to give it to anyone else.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat); seizures.
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Depression; hallucinations; mood changes; ringing in your ears; severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; trembling; loss of concentration; pounding heartbeat; bloody or dark urine; unusual bruising or bleeding; slow or shallow breathing; trouble urinating; yellowish eyes or skin.
Other: Dizziness, drowsiness, faintness, mild nausea or vomiting, constipation, mild skin rash, dry mouth, blurred vision, decreased appetite.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
