What is Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen? Uses, warnings & side effects

Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

Take each dose every four to six hours apart at the same times each day.

Drink plenty of liquids to help avoid constipation.

An overdose can be dangerous. Follow directions carefully so you do not get too much medicine at one time.

Hydrocodone-acetaminophen can be taken with or without food. If it causes digestive system problems, take doses with a meal or snack.

How to take hydrocodone-acetaminophen tablets

• Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water.

• Store the tablets at room temperature in a tightly closed, light-resistant container.

How to take hydrocodone-acetaminophen oral solution

• The bottle does not need to be shaken before measuring a dose.

• Always use a calibrated syringe or a calibrated dropper to precisely measure a dose. Never use kitchen measuring devices or tableware.

• Store hydrocodone-acetaminophen solution at room temperature in a tightly closed, light-resistant container. 

When not in use, keep this medicine out of the reach of children and inaccessible to other people.

At the end of the treatment period, take any unused medication to a drug take-back location. If that is not possible, flush the remaining medication down the toilet.

If a dose is missed, skip the missed dose. Instead, take the next dose at the usual time. 

Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

This medicine is not right for everyone. 

Do not use it if you have: 

• Stomach or bowel blockage

• Severe asthma, trouble breathing, or lung problems

• Allergies to acetaminophen, hydrocodone, or other narcotic medicines

Tell any doctor, dentist, or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are using this medicine.

The doctor may need to check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor may need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

Call the doctor if you think your medicine is not working.

Children have died taking opioids. Keep this medicine in a place inaccessible to children and others.

Hydrocodone-acetaminophen can cause serious problems including:

• Respiratory distress (insufficient breathing)

• Severely low blood pressure

• Adrenal gland dysfunction

• Liver dysfunction or failure

• Dependence

• Abuse

• Withdrawal

• Suicidal thoughts

• Neonatal withdrawal

• Death

Hydrocodone-acetaminophen can cause other serious problems such as:

• Changes in mood and behavior

• Sleep-related breathing problems (including sleep apnea and sleep-related hypoxemia)

• Serotonin syndrome (when combined with certain medicines such as antidepressants). 

• Unusual changes in mood or behavior

• Constipation or intestinal paralysis

• Low sodium

• Low blood sugar

• Infertility

• Severe skin reactions

• Severe allergic reactions

This medicine may make you dizzy, drowsy, or lightheaded. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. 

Before taking tramadol, tell the doctor if you have a history of:

• Head injury or brain tumor

• Seizures

• Asthma, lung disease, or breathing problems

• Kidney disease

• Liver disease

• Pancreas problems

• Gallbladder problems

• Thyroid problems

• Adrenal gland problems

• Problems urinating

• A history of seizures

• Any history of drug or alcohol abuse

• Any history of opioid overdose

• Depression or other mental illness

• Suicidal thoughts or behaviors

Before taking tramadol, tell the prescriber:

• If you are pregnant or have plans to get pregnant

• If you are breastfeeding

• If you live with small children

• If you live with anyone with a history of drug abuse

• If you take any prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, or supplements

Some medicines can affect how hydrocodone-acetaminophen works. Some medications should never be taken with hydrocodone-acetaminophen because of the hazards. 

To avoid hazardous drug interactions, tell the prescribing healthcare provider about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements you are using before taking this drug.

Because of possible drug interactions, tell other healthcare providers you are using this medicine before they prescribe new medications.

This medicine contains acetaminophen which is toxic in large amounts. You should not take more than 4 grams (4,000 milligrams) total of acetaminophen in one day. Read the labels of all other medicines you are using to see if they also contain acetaminophen, or ask your doctor or pharmacist. 

Hydrocodone should be avoided if you are using or have used an MAO inhibitor within the past 14 days.

Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are other opioids, antihistamines, anticonvulsants, sedatives, benzodiazepines, or muscle relaxants. 

Do not drink alcohol or use products containing alcohol when taking hydrocodone-acetaminophen. 

Other medicines that may cause problems when taken with hydrocodone-acetaminophen include:

• Antidepressants

• Migraine drugs called triptans

• Blood thinners including warfarin

• Anticholinergic drugs

• Drugs that make you pee (diuretics)

• Anticholinergic drugs

• Over-the-counter cold and flu remedies

Some drugs slow down the body’s metabolism of hydrocodone, raising the risk of serious side effects. Some drugs speed up the metabolism of hydrocodone, making it less effective at relieving pain. The prescribing doctor will know what these drugs are and either avoid them or make dosage adjustments.