What is Norco? Uses, warnings & side effects

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Drop off any unused narcotic medicine at a drug take-back location right away. If you do not have a drug take-back location near you, flush any unused narcotic medicine down the toilet. Check your local drug store and clinics for take-back locations. You can also check the DEA web site for locations. Here is the link to the FDA safe disposal of medicines website: www.fda.gov/drugs/resourcesforyou/consumers/buyingusingmedicinesafely/ensuringsafeuseofmedicine/safedisposalofmedicines/ucm186187.htm

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

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

• Oral liquid: Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.

• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

• Oral liquid: Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.

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

• This medicine contains acetaminophen. Read the labels of all other medicines you are using to see if they also contain acetaminophen, or ask your doctor or pharmacist. Do not use more than 4 grams (4,000 milligrams) total of acetaminophen in one day.

• Drink plenty of liquids to help avoid constipation.

Some of these medicines need to be used on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, call your doctor pharmacist for instructions. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to acetaminophen, hydrocodone, or other narcotic medicines, or if you have stomach or bowel blockage (including paralytic ileus) or serious lung or breathing problems (including asthma, respiratory depression).

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to acetaminophen, codeine, hydrocodone, propoxyphene, or sulfites. You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to any other opioid pain medicine.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding, or if you have a head injury, or other conditions that may cause an increase in intercranial pressure (pressure inside your head). Make sure your doctor knows if you have severe kidney problems or severe liver problems, or if you have hypothyroidism (lack of thyroid function). Make sure your doctor knows if you have Addison's disease (adrenal gland disease), or if you have enlarged prostate or urethral stricture. Make sure your doctor knows if you have any abdominal problems, or if you have lung disease or asthma.

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

This medicine can be habit-forming. Do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor if you think your medicine is not working.

Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

This medicine may cause constipation, especially with long-term use. Ask your doctor if you should use a laxative to prevent and treat constipation.

When a mother is breastfeeding and takes codeine, there is a very small chance that this medicine could cause serious side effects in the baby. This is because codeine works differently in a few women, so their breast milk contains too much medicine. If you take codeine, be alert for these signs of overdose in your nursing baby: sleeping more than usual, trouble breastfeeding, trouble breathing, or being limp and weak. Call the baby's doctor right away if you think there is a problem. If you cannot talk to the doctor, take the baby to the emergency room or call 911.

This medicine could cause infertility. Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, lung or breathing problems, gallbladder or pancreas problems, an underactive thyroid, Addison disease, prostate problems, trouble urinating, stomach problems, or a history of head injury or brain tumor, seizures, alcohol or drug addiction.

This medicine may cause the following problems: High risk of overdose, which can lead to deathRespiratory depression (serious breathing problem that can be life-threatening)Sleep-related breathing problems (including sleep apnea, sleep-related hypoxemia)Liver problemsSerious skin reactionsSerotonin syndrome (when used with certain medicines)

This medicine can be habit-forming. Do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor if you think your medicine is not working.

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

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

Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

This medicine may cause constipation, especially with long-term use. Ask your doctor if you should use a laxative to prevent and treat constipation.

Do not use this medicine if you are using or have used an MAO inhibitor within the past 14 days.

Some medicines can affect how hydrocodone/acetaminophen works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following: Carbamazepine, erythromycin, ketoconazole, mirtazapine, phenytoin, rifampin, ritonavir, tramadol, trazodoneDiuretic (water pill)Medicine to treat depression or mental health problemsMedicine to treat migraine headachesPhenothiazine medicine

Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol. Tell your doctor if you are using buprenorphine, butorphanol, nalbuphine, pentazocine, or a muscle relaxer (including cyclobenzaprine, metaxalone).

Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine. Acetaminophen can damage your liver, and your risk is higher if you also drink alcohol.

Too much of this medicine can cause death. Symptoms of an overdose include extreme dizziness or weakness, trouble breathing, slow heartbeat, seizure, and cold, clammy skin.

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

Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

This medicine may cause constipation, especially with long-term use. Ask your doctor if you should use a laxative to prevent and treat constipation.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are using a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) medicine, such as Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, or Parnate®. Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using a medicine to treat depression, such as amitriptyline, doxepin, nortriptyline, Elavil®, Pamelor®, or Sinequan®. Make sure your doctor knows if you are taking an anticholinergic medicine, such as atropine, methscopolamine, or scopolamine.

Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.

Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

This medicine may cause constipation, especially with long-term use. Ask your doctor if you should use a laxative to prevent and treat constipation.

When a mother is breastfeeding and takes codeine, there is a very small chance that this medicine could cause serious side effects in the baby. This is because codeine works differently in a few women, so their breast milk contains too much medicine. If you take codeine, be alert for these signs of overdose in your nursing baby: sleeping more than usual, trouble breastfeeding, trouble breathing, or being limp and weak. Call the baby's doctor right away if you think there is a problem. If you cannot talk to the doctor, take the baby to the emergency room or call 911.