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| Pronunciation |
|
 (hye
droe KOE done & a seet a MIN
oh fen) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Anexsia®; Anodynos-DHC®;
Co-Gesic®; Dolacet®; DuoCet™; Hydrocet®;
Hydrogesic®; Hy-Phen®; Lorcet® 10/650;
Lorcet®-HD; Lorcet® Plus; Lortab®; Margesic®
H; Medipain 5®; Norco®; Stagesic®; T-Gesic®;
Vicodin®; Vicodin® ES; Vicodin® HP;
Zydone® |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
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| Vapocet®
(Canada) |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Analgesic, Narcotic |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to hydrocodone, acetaminophen, or any other
part of the medicine.
- If you have severe lung
disease.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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|
- This medicine is used as a pain
reducer.
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| How does it work? |
|
|
- Hydrocodone binds to brain receptors, relieving pain. The feeling of
pain and a person's response to pain are also decreased.
- Acetaminophen reduces pain by preventing production of chemicals
called prostaglandins.
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| How is it best taken? |
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|
- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an
upset stomach.
- A liquid (solution, elixir) is available if you cannot swallow pills.
Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube
before and after medicine is given.
- Make sure you are drinking enough liquids unless told to drink less by
healthcare provider. Avoid products with caffeine.
- Do not suddenly stop using this medicine if you have been taking it
for a long time. Medicine should be slowly
decreased.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Since this medicine is frequently taken on an as needed basis, do not
take more frequently than every 4-6 hours or as prescribed by healthcare
provider.
- Do not take more than 8 tablets or 6 tablespoonfuls per
day.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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- This medicine may be habit-forming with long-term use.
- If you are 65 or older, you may have more side effects. You could feel
sleepy and shaky.
- You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities
until you see how this medicine affects you.
- Do not take more than prescribed amount. Liver damage can occur.
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines
and herbs that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives,
tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, or pain medicine. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- If you are on quinidine, talk with healthcare provider. Hydrocodone
may not work well.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are heavy drinker. Medicine and
frequent alcohol can damage liver.
- Tell healthcare provider if you have lung disease. You may be
sensitive to this medicine.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine,
especially pain medicines. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it
affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of
breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other
symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Feeling sleepy, lightheaded, or dizzy. Avoid driving, doing other
tasks or activities that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine
affects you.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing
diet may help. Talk to healthcare provider about a stool softener or
laxative.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Keep a diary of how well your pain is controlled. If not well
controlled, talk with healthcare provider.
- If no bowel movements in 3 days, call healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Too tired or sleepy.
- Changes in thinking clearly and logically.
- Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Severe nausea or vomiting.
- Any rash.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
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- Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
|
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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