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Generic Name: hydrocodone and acetaminophen (Oral route)

a-seet-a-MIN-oh-fen, hye-droe-KOE-done bye-TAR-trate

Oral route(Solution;Tablet)

Acetaminophen has been associated with cases of acute liver failure, at times resulting in liver transplant and death. Most of the cases of liver injury are associated with the use of acetaminophen at doses that exceed 4000 milligrams per day, and often involve more than one acetaminophen-containing product .

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

Anexsia

Ceta Plus

Co-Gesic

Dolorex Forte

Hycet

Lorcet

Lortab

Maxidone

Norco

Stagesic

Vicodin

Zydone

Available Dosage Forms:

Tablet

Solution

Syrup

Elixir

Capsule

Liquid

Therapeutic Class: Opioid/Acetaminophen Combination

Chemical Class: Hydrocodone

Uses For Co-Gesic

Hydrocodone and acetaminophen combination is used to relieve moderate to moderately severe pain.

Acetaminophen is used to relieve pain and reduce fever in patients. It does not become habit-forming when taken for a long time. But acetaminophen may cause other unwanted effects when taken in large doses, including liver damage.

Hydrocodone belongs to the group of medicines called narcotic analgesics (pain medicines). It acts on the central nervous system (CNS) to relieve pain, and stops or prevents cough.

When hydrocodone is used for a long time, it may become habit-forming, causing mental or physical dependence. However, people who have continuing pain should not let the fear of dependence keep them from using narcotics to relieve their pain. Mental dependence (addiction) is not likely to occur when narcotics are used for this purpose. Physical dependence may lead to withdrawal side effects if treatment is stopped suddenly. However, severe withdrawal side effects can usually be prevented by gradually reducing the dose over a period of time before treatment is stopped completely.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using Co-Gesic

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of hydrocodone and acetaminophen tablets in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of hydrocodone and acetaminophen oral solution in children. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children younger than 2 years of age.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of hydrocodone and acetaminophen combination in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have confusion and drowsiness, and age-related liver, kidney, or heart problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving hydrocodone and acetaminophen combination.

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	C	Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

Naltrexone

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Adinazolam

Alfentanil

Alprazolam

Amobarbital

Anileridine

Aprobarbital

Bromazepam

Brotizolam

Buprenorphine

Butabarbital

Butalbital

Butorphanol

Carisoprodol

Chloral Hydrate

Chlordiazepoxide

Chlorzoxazone

Clobazam

Clonazepam

Clorazepate

Codeine

Dantrolene

Dezocine

Diazepam

Estazolam

Ethchlorvynol

Fentanyl

Flunitrazepam

Flurazepam

Fospropofol

Halazepam

Hydrocodone

Hydromorphone

Ketazolam

Levorphanol

Lorazepam

Lormetazepam

Medazepam

Meperidine

Mephenesin

Mephobarbital

Meprobamate

Metaxalone

Methocarbamol

Methohexital

Midazolam

Morphine

Morphine Sulfate Liposome

Nalbuphine

Nitrazepam

Nordazepam

Opium

Oxazepam

Oxycodone

Oxymorphone

Pentazocine

Pentobarbital

Phenobarbital

Prazepam

Propoxyphene

Quazepam

Remifentanil

Secobarbital

Sodium Oxybate

Sufentanil

Tapentadol

Temazepam

Thiopental

Triazolam

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Acenocoumarol

Carbamazepine

Escitalopram

Isoniazid

Phenytoin

Warfarin

Zidovudine

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Ethanol

Using this medicine with any of the following may cause an increased risk of certain side effects but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Cabbage

Proper Use of hydrocodone and acetaminophen

This section provides information on the proper use of a number of products that contain hydrocodone and acetaminophen. It may not be specific to Co-Gesic. Please read with care.

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. This is especially important for elderly patients, who may be more sensitive to the effects of pain medicines. If too much of this medicine is taken for a long time, it may become habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence) or cause an overdose. Large amounts of acetaminophen may cause liver damage.

This medicine should come with a patient information leaflet. Read the information carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Measure the oral liquid with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, dropper, or medicine cup. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.

This combination medicine contains acetaminophen (Tylenol®). Carefully check the labels of all other medicines you are using, because they may also contain acetaminophen. It is not safe to use more than 4 grams (4,000 milligrams) of acetaminophen in one day (24 hours).

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For moderate to moderately severe pain:
- For oral dosage form (solution):
  - Adults and teenagers 14 years of age and older—15 milliliters (mL) or 1 tablespoonful every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 90 mL (6 tablespoonfuls) per day.
  - Children 10 to 13 years of age and weighing 32 to 45 kg—10 mL (2 teaspoonfuls) every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 60 mL (12 teaspoonfuls) per day.
  - Children 7 to 9 years of age and weighing 23 to 31 kg—7.5 mL (1 and 1/2 teaspoonfuls) every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 45 mL (9 teaspoonfuls) per day.
  - Children 4 to 6 years of age and weighing 16 to 22 kg—5 mL (1 teaspoonful) every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 30 mL (6 teaspoonfuls) per day.
  - Children 2 to 3 years of age and weighing 12 to 15 kg—3.75 mL (3/4 teaspoonful) every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 22.5 mL (4 and 1/2 teaspoonfuls) per day.
  - Children younger than 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
  - Adults—One or two tablets every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 5 to 12 tablets per day.
  - Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions While Using Co-Gesic

It is very important that your doctor check the progress of you or your child while using this medicine. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you or your child should continue to take it.

This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that can make you drowsy or less alert). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for allergies or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine; other prescription pain medicine or narcotics; medicine for seizures or barbiturates; muscle relaxants; or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Also, there may be a greater risk of liver damage if you drink three or more alcoholic beverages while you are taking acetaminophen. Do not drink alcoholic beverages, and check with your doctor before taking any of these medicines while you are using this medicine.

This medicine may be habit-forming. If you feel that the medicine is not working as well, do not use more than your prescribed dose.

This medicine may make you dizzy, drowsy, or lightheaded. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or not alert.

Using narcotics for a long time can cause severe constipation. To prevent this, your doctor may direct you or your child to take laxatives, drink a lot of fluids, or increase the amount of fiber in your diet. Be sure to follow the directions carefully, because continuing constipation can lead to more serious problems.

Before you or your child have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are taking this medicine. The results of certain tests may be affected by this medicine.

Do not change your dose or suddenly stop using this medicine without first checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you or your child to gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping it completely. This may help prevent worsening of your condition and reduce the possibility of withdrawal symptoms, such as abdominal or stomach cramps, anxiety, fever, nausea, runny nose, sweating, tremors, or trouble with sleeping.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant may cause the neonatal withdrawal syndrome in your newborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if your child has the following symptoms: an abnormal sleep pattern, diarrhea, a high-pitched cry, irritability, shakiness or tremors, weight loss, vomiting, or failure to gain weight.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Co-Gesic Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not known

Back, leg, or stomach pains

black, tarry stools

bleeding gums

blood in the urine or stools

blood in vomit

bluish lips or skin

chills

choking

cough or hoarseness

dark urine

decrease in the frequency of urination

decrease in urine volume

difficult or troubled breathing

difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)

difficulty with breathing

difficulty with swallowing

dizziness

fast heartbeat

fever

fever with or without chills

general body swelling

general feeling of tiredness or weakness

headache

hives

irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing

itching

light-colored stools

loss of appetite

lower back or side pain

nausea or vomiting

nosebleeds

not breathing

painful or difficult urination

pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin

pale skin

pinpoint red spots on the skin

puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

severe or continuing stomach pain

shortness of breath or troubled breathing

skin rash

sore throat

sore tongue

sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth

tightness in the chest

unable to speak

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

upper right abdominal or stomach pain

wheezing

yellow eyes and skin

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

Bloody or cloudy urine

change in consciousness

chest pain or discomfort

cold and clammy skin

decreased awareness or responsiveness

extreme drowsiness

general feeling of discomfort or illness

increased sweating

irregular heartbeat

lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting

loss of consciousness

no blood pressure or pulse

no muscle tone or movement

not breathing

severe sleepiness

slow or irregular heartbeat

stopping of heart

sudden decrease in the amount of urine

unconsciousness

unpleasant breath odor

vomiting of blood

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Drowsiness

relaxed and calm

sleepiness

Incidence not known

Belching

changes in mood

difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)

fear or nervousness

feeling of indigestion

hearing loss

impaired hearing

pain in the chest below the breastbone

unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

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

See also: Co-Gesic side effects (in more detail)

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More Co-Gesic resources

Co-Gesic Side Effects (in more detail)
Co-Gesic Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Co-Gesic Drug Interactions
Co-Gesic Support Group
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Search PLR Article Directory Pakistan

Tuesday, 31 July 2012

Co-Gesic