Health Library

Hydrocodone/acetaminophen (By mouth)

Acetaminophen (a-seet-a-MIN-oh-fen), Hydrocodone Bitartrate (hye-droe-KOE-done bye-TAR-trate)

Treats pain. This medicine contains an opioid pain reliever.

Brand Name(s):

Lorcet, Lortab 10/325, Lortab 5/325, Lortab 7.5/325, Lortab Elixir, Norco, Verdrocet

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Capsule, Liquid, Tablet

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
• An overdose can be life-threatening. Follow directions carefully so you do not get too much medicine at one time. Your doctor may also give naloxone to treat an overdose. Naloxone is a medicine that temporarily reverses the effects of an overdose. If you have been prescribed naloxone, make sure household members know how to use this on you in the event of an overdose or suspected overdose. Emergency medical attention is still needed after naloxone is used because the reversal effects are only temporary.
• Oral liquid: Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.
• Drink plenty of liquids to help avoid constipation.
• 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. If you miss a dose of Norco®, take your next dose at your usual time.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Drop off any unused opioid medicine at a drug take-back location right away. If you do not have a drug take-back location near you, flush any unused opioid 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

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• 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, trazodone
  • Benzodiazepine medicine
  • Diuretic (water pill)
  • Medicine to treat depression or mental health problems (including SNRIs, SSRIs, TCAs)
  • Medicine to treat migraine headaches
  • Phenothiazine medicine
• 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.
• 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).

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, lung or breathing problems (including asthma, COPD), gallbladder or pancreas problems, an underactive thyroid, adrenal problems, prostate problems, trouble urinating, or stomach problems. Tell your doctor if you have a history of head injury or brain tumor, seizures, alcohol or drug use disorder.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • High risk of overdose, which can lead to death
  • Respiratory depression (serious breathing problem that can be life-threatening)
  • Sleep-related breathing problems (including sleep apnea, sleep-related hypoxemia)
  • Worsening of pain
  • Adrenal gland problems
  • Low blood pressure
  • Liver problems
  • Serious skin reactions (including acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis)
  • Seizures
  • Serotonin 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.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
• This medicine may cause constipation, especially with long-term use. Ask your doctor if you should use a laxative to prevent and treat constipation.
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
• This medicine could cause infertility. Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Anxiety, restlessness, fast heartbeat, fever, muscle spasms, twitching, diarrhea, seeing or hearing things that are not there
• Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
• Blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• Changes in skin color, dark freckles, cold feeling, tiredness, weight loss
• Dark urine or pale stools, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
• Extreme weakness, shallow breathing, slow heartbeat, sweating, seizures, cold or clammy skin
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting
• Worsening of pain, increased sensitivity to pain

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Constipation
• Sleepiness

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024