Vicodin

Generic Name: acetaminophen and hydrocodone (a see ta MIN oh fen and hye droe
KOE doan)
Brand Names: Anexsia, Anolor DH5, Bancap HC, Dolacet, Lorcet 10/650, Lortab,
Norco, T-Gesic, Vicodin, Zydone,

What is the most important information I should know about Vicodin?

Do not take Vicodin with alcohol, other narcotic pain medications, sedatives,
tranquilizers, muscle relaxers, or other medicines that can make you sleepy or
slow your breathing. Dangerous side effects may result.

Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if
you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day or if you have 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. Vicodin 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.

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.

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.

Never take more Vicodin than is prescribed. Tell your doctor if the
medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.

You may have withdrawal symptoms when you stop using this medication after
using it over a long period of time. Do not stop using Vicodin suddenly without
first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop
the medication completely.

What is Vicodin?

Hydrocodone is in a group of drugs called narcotic pain relievers. It
is similar to codeine.

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.

Vicodin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Vicodin?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to acetaminophen or
hydrocodone, or other narcotic pain relievers such as fentanyl (Actiq, Duragesic),
hydromorphone (Dilaudid, Palladone), methadone (Methadose, Dolophine), morphine
(Kadian, MS Contin, Oramorph, and others), oxycodone (Oxycontin), and
oxymorphone (Opana).

Before using Vicodin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any
drugs, or if you have:

• asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, or other breathing disorders;

• liver disease;
• kidney disease;
• underactive thyroid;

• a history of head injury or brain tumor;

• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;

• low blood pressure;
• gallbladder disease;

• Addison’s disease or other adrenal gland disorders;

• enlarged prostate, urination problems;

• mental illness; or

• a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use
Vicodin, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

Hydrocodone may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was
prescribed for. Vicodin 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.

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.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby,
and could cause addiction or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn. Tell your doctor
if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Vicodin 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. Do not give this
medicine to anyone younger than 18 years old. Older adults may be more sensitive
to the effects of this medicine.

How should I take Vicodin?

Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use
the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your
doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

An overdose of acetaminophen can cause serious harm. The maximum amount of
acetaminophen for adults is 1 gram (1000 mg) per dose and 4 grams (4000 mg) per
day. Taking more acetaminophen could cause damage to your liver. One Vicodin
tablet may contain up to 750 mg of acetaminophen. Know the amount of
acetaminophen in the specific product you are taking.

If your medicine contains 650 mg of acetaminophen or more per tablet,
take no more than 5 tablets in 24 hours. If your medicine contains 500 mg or
less of acetaminophen, take no more than 8 tablets in 24 hours. Tell your doctor
if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.

Take this medicine with a full glass of water. You may take the medication
with food or milk if it causes stomach upset.

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 Vicodin. Ask your doctor about ways to increase the fiber in your
diet. Do not use a stool softener (laxative) without first asking your doctor.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of
time that you are using Vicodin. You may need to stop using the medicine for a
short time.

You may have withdrawal symptoms when you stop using this medication after
using it over a long period of time. Do not stop taking Vicodin suddenly without
first talking to your doctor. You may need to take less and less before you stop
the medication completely. Store Vicodin at room temperature away from moisture
and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since Vicodin is sometimes used 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.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this
medicine. An overdose of Vicodin can be fatal. Symptoms of an overdose may
include extreme drowsiness, muscle weakness, nausea, vomiting, sweating,
confusion, cold and clammy skin, shallow breathing, slow heart rate, fainting,
or coma.

What should I avoid while taking Vicodin?

Do not use any other over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, or pain
medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Acetaminophen is
contained in many cold and pain medicines available over the counter. If you
take certain products together you may accidentally take too much acetaminophen.
Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains
acetaminophen. Do not drink alcohol while you are taking Vicodin. Dangerous side
effects or death can occur when alcohol is combined with hydrocodone. Check the
label of any other medicines you take to be sure they do not contain alcohol.

Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold
medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures,
depression or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by hydrocodone, which
could result in extreme drowsiness or coma.

What are the possible side effects of Vicodin?

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;

• seizure (convulsions);
• cold, clammy skin;
• confusion;

• severe weakness or dizziness; or

• feeling light-headed, fainting.

Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• constipation;
• urinating less than usual;

• nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;

• dizziness, headache; or
• itching.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to
your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially
bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Vicodin?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are using any
of the following drugs:

• an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine
  (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or
  tranylcypromine (Parnate); or

• antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), amoxapine
  (Ascendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Janimine,
  Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), or trimipramine
  (Surmontil).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use
Vicodin, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect Vicodin. 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.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has information about Vicodin written for health
  professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Acetaminophen and hydrocodone is available with a prescription under
many brand names such as Vicodin, Lortab, Lorcet, Zydone, Hydrocet, and Co-Gesic.
Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist
any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.