DRUGS AND SUPPLEMENTS

Hydrocodone

March 21, 2017

Hydrocodone Bitartrate Oral capsule, extended-release [Abuse Deterrent]

What is this medicine?

HYDROCODONE (hye droe KOE done) is a pain reliever. It is used to treat constant pain that lasts for more than a few days.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

  • gallbladder disease

  • head injury

  • history of a drug or alcohol abuse problem

  • if you often drink alcohol

  • kidney disease

  • liver disease

  • lung or breathing disease, like asthma

  • mental illness

  • pancreatic disease

  • seizures

  • stomach or intestine problems

  • thyroid disease

  • trouble passing urine

  • an unusual or allergic reaction to hydrocodone, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives.

  • pregnant or trying to get pregnant

  • breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a full glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Do not chew, crush or dissolve this medicine. Swallow only one capsule at a time. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take it more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.

A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you've taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take your next dose at your usual time the next day. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medicine?

This medicine may interact with the following medications:

  • alcohol or any product that contains alcohol

  • antihistamines for allergy, cough, and cold

  • atropine

  • certain medicines for bladder problems like oxybutynin, tolterodine

  • certain medicines for constipation

  • certain medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances

  • certain medicines for fungal infection like ketoconazole, voriconazole

  • certain medicines for Parkinson's disease like benztropine, trihexyphenidyl

  • certain medicines for seizures like carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin

  • certain medicines for sleep

  • certain medicines for stomach problems like dicyclomine, hyoscyamine

  • certain medicines for travel sickness like scopolamine

  • erythromycin

  • ipratropium

  • MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate

  • narcotic medicines (opiates) for pain

  • phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine

  • rifampin

  • ritonavir

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Tell your doctor or health care professional if your pain does not go away, if it gets worse, or if you have new or a different type of pain. You may develop tolerance to the medicine. Tolerance means that you will need a higher dose of the medicine for pain relief. Tolerance is normal and is expected if you take the medicine for a long time.

Do not suddenly stop taking your medicine because you may develop a severe reaction. Your body becomes used to the medicine. This does NOT mean you are addicted. Addiction is a behavior related to getting and using a drug for a non-medical reason. If you have pain, you have a medical reason to take pain medicine. Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to take. If your doctor wants you to stop the medicine, the dose will be slowly lowered over time to avoid any side effects.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.

This medicine will cause constipation. Try to have a bowel movement at least every 2 to 3 days. If you do not have a bowel movement for 3 days, call your doctor or health care professional.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

  • allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

  • breathing problems

  • chest pain

  • confusion

  • fast, irregular heartbeat

  • feeling faint or lightheaded, falls

  • trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine

  • unusually weak or tired

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

  • constipation

  • dizziness

  • headache

  • nausea

  • stomach pain

  • tiredness

  • vomiting

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children. This medicine can be abused. Keep your medicine in a safe place to protect it from theft. Do not share this medicine with anyone. Selling or giving away this medicine is dangerous and against the law.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from light. Keep container tightly closed.

Discard unused medicine and used packaging carefully. Pets and children can be harmed if they find used or lost packages. Flush any unused medicines down the toilet. Do not use the medicine after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

Hydrocodone Bitartrate Oral tablet, extended release 24 hour [Abuse Deterrent]

What is this medicine?

HYDROCODONE (hye droe KOE done) is a pain reliever. It is used to treat constant pain that lasts for more than a few days.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

  • gallbladder disease

  • head injury

  • history of a drug or alcohol abuse problem

  • if you often drink alcohol

  • kidney disease

  • liver disease

  • lung or breathing disease, like asthma

  • mental illness

  • pancreatic disease

  • seizures

  • stomach or intestine problems

  • thyroid disease

  • trouble passing urine

  • an unusual or allergic reaction to hydrocodone, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives.

  • pregnant or trying to get pregnant

  • breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a full glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Do not chew, crush or dissolve this medicine. Swallow only one capsule at a time. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take it more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.

A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you've taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take your next dose at your usual time the next day. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medicine?

This medicine may interact with the following medications:

  • alcohol or any product that contains alcohol

  • antihistamines for allergy, cough, and cold

  • atropine

  • certain medicines for bladder problems like oxybutynin, tolterodine

  • certain medicines for constipation

  • certain medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances

  • certain medicines for fungal infection like ketoconazole, voriconazole

  • certain medicines for Parkinson's disease like benztropine, trihexyphenidyl

  • certain medicines for seizures like carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin

  • certain medicines for sleep

  • certain medicines for stomach problems like dicyclomine, hyoscyamine

  • certain medicines for travel sickness like scopolamine

  • erythromycin

  • ipratropium

  • MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate

  • narcotic medicines (opiates) for pain

  • phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine

  • rifampin

  • ritonavir

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Tell your doctor or health care professional if your pain does not go away, if it gets worse, or if you have new or a different type of pain. You may develop tolerance to the medicine. Tolerance means that you will need a higher dose of the medicine for pain relief. Tolerance is normal and is expected if you take the medicine for a long time.

Do not suddenly stop taking your medicine because you may develop a severe reaction. Your body becomes used to the medicine. This does NOT mean you are addicted. Addiction is a behavior related to getting and using a drug for a non-medical reason. If you have pain, you have a medical reason to take pain medicine. Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to take. If your doctor wants you to stop the medicine, the dose will be slowly lowered over time to avoid any side effects.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.

This medicine will cause constipation. Try to have a bowel movement at least every 2 to 3 days. If you do not have a bowel movement for 3 days, call your doctor or health care professional.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

  • allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

  • breathing problems

  • chest pain

  • confusion

  • fast, irregular heartbeat

  • feeling faint or lightheaded, falls

  • trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine

  • unusually weak or tired

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

  • constipation

  • dizziness

  • headache

  • nausea

  • stomach pain

  • tiredness

  • vomiting

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children. This medicine can be abused. Keep your medicine in a safe place to protect it from theft. Do not share this medicine with anyone. Selling or giving away this medicine is dangerous and against the law.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from light. Keep container tightly closed.

Discard unused medicine and used packaging carefully. Pets and children can be harmed if they find used or lost packages. Flush any unused medicines down the toilet. Do not use the medicine after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

Updated:  

March 21, 2017

Sources:  

U.S. FDA-approved Package Insert