What is Lortab?
lortab pill contains a combination of acetaminophen and hydrocodone. Hydrocodone is an opioid pain medication. An opioid is sometimes called a narcotic. Acetaminophen, also called Tylenol, is a less potent pain reliever that increases the effects of hydrocodone.
Lortab is used to treat severe and persistent pain that requires an opioid pain reliever and that cannot be adequately treated with other options, including immediate-release opioid medications.
Limitations of use for opioids
- Lortab contains an opioid analgesic; it carries the risks of addiction, abuse, misuse, overdose, and death, which can occur at any dosage or duration and persist over the course of therapy, Therefore, it should only be used in patients for whom alternative treatment options are ineffective, not tolerated, or would be otherwise inadequate to provide sufficient management of pain.
- Lortab is not indicated as an as-needed (prn) pain relief.
lortab pill side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Lortab: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
In rare cases, acetaminophen may cause a severe skin reaction that can be fatal. This could occur even if you have taken acetaminophen in the past and had no reaction. Stop taking Lortab and call your doctor right away if you have skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling. If you have this type of reaction, you should never again take any medicine that contains acetaminophen.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- shallow breathing, slow heartbeat;
- a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
- confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior;
- seizure (convulsions);
- easy bruising or bleeding;
- infertility, missed menstrual periods;
- impotence, sexual problems, loss of interest in sex;
- liver problems – nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
How should I take lortab pill?
Take Lortab exactly as prescribed. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Never take this medicine in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. An overdose can damage your liver or cause death. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.
Hydrocodone may be habit-forming, even at regular doses. Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. MISUSE OF NARCOTIC MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription. Selling or giving away Lortab is against the law.
Measure liquid Lortab with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
If you need surgery or medical tests, tell the doctor ahead of time that you are using Lortab. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Warnings
Hydrocodone can slow or stop your breathing. Never use Lortab in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Narcotic pain medicine may be habit-forming, even at regular doses. Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.
MISUSE OF NARCOTIC MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription.
Do not use Lortab if you have used a MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.
An overdose of acetaminophen can damage your liver or cause death. Call your doctor at once if you have nausea, pain in your upper stomach, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes).
Stop taking Lortab and call your doctor right away if you have skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling.
Addiction, misuse, and overdose
This medicine contains an opioid, which exposes patients to the risks of opioid addiction. Some people may misuse it, abuse it, or take too much, which can lead to overdose or death. Your healthcare provider should check your risk before prescribing it and monitor you while you are taking it.
Serious breathing problems
This medicine can cause slow or stopped breathing, which can be life-threatening or fatal. This risk is highest when starting the medicine or after the dose is increased. Taking it exactly as prescribed is very important.
Accidental swallowing
Even one dose can be deadly if swallowed by accident, especially by a child. Keep this medicine stored safely and out of reach.
Dangerous interactions with alcohol or other sedating medicines
Taking hydrocodone/acetaminophen with opioids, benzodiazepines (such as medicines for anxiety or sleep), gabapentinoids (gabapentin or pregabalin), alcohol, or other drugs that make you sleepy can cause:
- extreme drowsiness
- slowed breathing
- coma
- death
These combinations should only be used when other treatment options are not enough.
lortab pill Risk during pregnancy
If taken for a long time during pregnancy, this medicine can cause opioid withdrawal in a newborn baby after birth. This can be serious and may be life-threatening without proper treatment.
Safe use education
Healthcare providers are encouraged to teach patients and caregivers about the serious risks of this medicine, how to use it safely, and why it is important to read the Medication Guide each time it is prescribed.
Drug interactions
Some medicines can change how hydrocodone works in your body. This can raise the amount of hydrocodone in your bloodstream and increase the risk of serious side effects, including dangerous breathing problems or extreme sleepiness. Your provider may need to monitor you closely if you take certain other medicines with it.
