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Have you considered clinical trials? Access the latest treatments and medications. unavailable elsewhere - entirely free of charge. We make it easy to take part. What is hydrocodone-acetaminophen? (Vicodin)Hydrocodone-acetaminophen relieves pain. People use it when other nonopioid pain medications don't work well enough or if they can’t tolerate them. Acetaminophen relieves pain and reduces fever in patients. However, acetaminophen may cause other side effects, including liver damage, when taken in more significant amounts. Hydrocodone is a painkiller known as a narcotic analgesic. It relieves severe pain by acting on the central nervous system. It can also stop or prevent coughs by working on the respiratory tract. If you use hydrocodone for an extended period, you may develop a dependency on it. However, if you suffer from chronic pain, you shouldn't let the fear of becoming dependent on narcotics stop you from taking your prescription. If you follow your doctor’s instructions closely, it’s unlikely that you’ll become addicted to hydrocodone-acetaminophen. You may experience withdrawal symptoms if you abruptly discontinue your treatment. However, you can usually prevent severe withdrawal symptoms by slowly decreasing the dosage over some time before stopping completely. This drug is only accessible under a restricted distribution system called Opioid Analgesic REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy). How do you take hydrocodone-acetaminophen?Take this drug precisely as instructed by your healthcare provider. Don't take too much of it, don't take it more often, and don’t take it for longer than your doctor prescribed. If you take too much for a prolonged period, you may become addicted or cause an overdose. Taking large amounts of hydrocodone-acetaminophen (Vicodin) can cause liver damage. You need to understand the rules of the REMS program¹ to avoid addiction and misusing hydrocodone-acetaminophen. A medication guide will accompany this drug. Follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions. Hydrocodone-acetaminophen is available as both an oral tablet and oral liquid formulation:
A dosing regimen for pain management
If you have liver problemsThe manufacturer's label doesn’t recommend dosage adjustment for patients with liver problems. It's advisable to initiate therapy at the lowest dose with continuous observation. In cases of moderate or severe liver disease, you may not be a candidate for this medication. Your physician will help determine the best drug and dose for you. If you have kidney problemsThe manufacturer's label doesn’t recommend dosage adjustment for patients with kidney problems. However, your body eliminates 26% of hydrocodone and 85% of acetaminophen in the urine², so use them with caution. Your physician will recommend dosing based on your medical conditions and lab work. Pediatric patientsThe dose for pediatric patients is adjusted based on the desired analgesic effect. When considering acetaminophen for pain relief, it is essential to include the maximum daily dose of acetaminophen from other sources, including prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) products. The daily dose of acetaminophen should not exceed 2g (2,000mg) to minimize liver toxicity. Your child’s pediatrician will determine the proper dosing based on weight and any other medical conditions. Older adultsFor safety and efficacy, older adults should start the initial dose at the lowest effective dose and closely monitor for side effects. Seeing resultsHydrocodone-acetaminophen tablets must pass through the digestive tract before they work. Your body quickly absorbs acetaminophen, which begins to take effect in about 30 minutes. The hydrocodone component is slow-acting but begins to alleviate pain approximately 30-60 minutes after ingestion. The pain-relieving effects typically last between four and six hours. Potential side effects of hydrocodone-acetaminophenAcetaminophen-hydrocodone may make you feel drowsy, dizzy, or lightheaded. Don't drive or use machinery until you know how your body reacts to the medication. This drug can also have other side effects: Common side effectsThe more common side effects of acetaminophen-hydrocodone include:
Serious side effectsTalk to your healthcare provider if you have any severe side effects. Call 911 if your condition feels life-threatening or if you have a medical emergency. Serious side effects and symptoms can include the following:
Long-term use of hydrocodone-acetaminophenLong-term use can lead to dependence. Stopping the medication abruptly after long-term use may cause withdrawal symptoms;
Seek medical help if any of these symptoms occur. Missed dosesYou usually take this medication when needed. However, if your doctor has prescribed a regular dosing schedule, take the missed dose whenever you remember it. Before taking your next dose:
Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Instead, continue your regular dosing schedule as usual. Don't take two doses to make up for one that you missed. OverdosesAn overdose occurs when you take more than the usual or prescribed amount of this medication. It can happen accidentally or intentionally. An overdose is an emergency, and you should seek urgent medical care if you suspect symptoms of an overdose. If naloxone is available, administer it immediately. Symptoms of overdose:
You can call the US Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 for assistance if you have no symptoms but think you’ve overdosed. What to discuss with your doctor before taking hydrocodone-acetaminophen
Stopping hydrocodone-acetaminophenHydrocodone withdrawal is just like any other form of opioid withdrawal. It's not easy. Everyone experiences withdrawal differently. You will likely experience physical and psychological symptoms, but your personal experience will depend on several factors, such as:
If you've been taking low doses of hydrocodone as prescribed by your doctor, you should experience relatively mild withdrawal symptoms. However, withdrawal can be highly uncomfortable if you're a long-term opioid user. For most people, withdrawal symptoms start about 8-24 hours after their final dose. If you're taking extended-release opioids, you may experience slower withdrawal symptoms than if you were taking immediate-release opioids. Common hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms
If you're looking for a better idea about how mild symptoms compare with intense ones, take a look at the clinical opioid withdrawal scale (COWS)³. Clinicians use this tool to identify the different withdrawal stages. For example, sweating can include any number of things, from feeling flushed to sweat pouring down your face. After acute withdrawal, some individuals experience protracted withdrawal, also known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). Withdrawal symptoms are usually mild and primarily psychological, so you won't experience any physical illness. Instead, you might experience waves of depression or bouts of insomnia. Some people experience protracted withdrawal, but others don't. Those who do can expect withdrawal symptoms to appear on and off during the first six months. Hydrocodone-acetaminophen and pregnancyTaking opioid painkillers during pregnancy can cause problems for you and your baby. Ideally, you shouldn’t take them. The potential risks include:
Some women need to use opioid pain medication while they're pregnant. If your doctor recommends taking opioid drugs during pregnancy, you should discuss the risks and benefits. If both of you conclude that you should take opioid painkillers, you can work together to minimize the risks. Some of the ways you could do this include:
If I take opioids and get pregnant, what should I do?Contact your doctor if you're taking opioid painkillers and get pregnant. Never stop taking opioids on your own. If you suddenly stop using opioids, it could cause serious health problems for you or your baby. Stopping opioids during pregnancy may be worse than taking them. BreastfeedingThere are no adequate human studies on women to determine whether this medication is safe during breastfeeding. Therefore, before taking this medication while breastfeeding, weigh the potential benefits against the possible risks and discuss this in detail with your doctor. Interactions with other drugsAcetaminophen-hydrocodone pills can interact with other medications or supplements you may be taking. An interaction is when one substance alters the effects of another. It may harm you or prevent the drug from doing its job. Tell your doctor about any medicines, vitamins, or supplements you're taking. Your doctor should carefully manage all of your medications. Finally, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice if you want to know if this drug interacts with anything else. Below are examples of drugs that can interact with acetaminophen-hydrocodone. Medications that cause drowsinessTaking certain medications with acetaminophen-hydrocodone increases your risks of drowsiness, tiredness, dizziness, and reduced physical and cognitive function. If you need to take one of these drugs with an acetaminophen-hydromorphone combination, reduce the dosage of either drug with the prescribing physician's approval. Examples of these drugs include:
Medications that increase serotoninTaking this drug with other drugs that raise your serotonin levels can cause severe problems. Serotonin syndrome is a potentially fatal condition. If you're taking one of these medications, tell your doctor:
Drugs that inhibit the activities of certain enzymes in the liversIf you take this drug with other medications that inhibit the activity or function of certain liver enzymes, you may experience an increased level of hydrocodone and more side effects. These include breathing problems or drowsiness. Examples of these drugs are:
Taking this medicine with drugs that raise the activity of certain liver enzymes can lower the amount of hydrocodone or acetaminophen in your body. As a result, you may need a larger dose of this medication to control your pain. Only your physician should change your dosage. Examples of these drugs include:
Allergy informationTell your doctor if you've ever experienced an unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine. Inform them of any other allergies, such as allergies to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. Read the labels carefully for non-prescription products. This medicine may cause an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), which can be life-threatening. Symptoms include:
If you’re having an allergic reaction, seek emergency medical care. Clinical trial historyAccording to research⁵, oral hydrocodone-acetaminophen did not provide significantly better pain relief than oral codeine-acetaminophen. There were no clinical differences between the two groups regarding side effects or patient satisfaction. Codeine-acetaminophen may be a reasonable substitute for hydrocodone-acetaminophen. These findings need to be validated independently in similar and other acute painful conditions. Tips and advice for taking hydrocodone-acetaminophen
How fast does hydrocodone and acetaminophen work?Usually, it takes about an hour to feel symptom relief. The dosage reaches peak concentration roughly 1.3 hours after it is taken. For people who have developed a tolerance of the drug, it may take longer to feel relief, or the effect of one dose may not be as strong.
What is stronger than hydrocodone with acetaminophen?Another study found that the combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen was 1.5 times more potent than hydrocodone with acetaminophen when taken at equal doses.
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