Lortab

• Risk factors: Personal or family history of alcohol or substance use disorder | Personal or family history of mental health conditions

Lortab (hydrocodone / acetaminophen) is a controlled substance; it has a risk for misuse and addiction. Take the medication exactly as prescribed. Don't change the dose or how often you take it without talking to your prescriber.

Misusing Lortab (hydrocodone / acetaminophen) might cause the medication to work less well. It can also raise the risk for serious and possibly life-threatening side effects, such as dangerously slow breathing, inability to stay awake, addiction, and opioid overdose. You'll be prescribed the lowest amount of Lortab (hydrocodone / acetaminophen) that's necessary to manage your pain for the shortest amount of time possible.

Because of the risk for misuse, addiction, and overdose, Lortab (hydrocodone / acetaminophen) is only available through a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program called the Opioid Analgesic REMS program. Your prescriber and pharmacy must register with the program, receive training on proper medication use, and discuss with you about safely taking Lortab (hydrocodone / acetaminophen).

• Risk factors: Taking medications that can cause slow breathing | Drinking alcohol | Older age | Being frail | Medical conditions that cause breathing problems (e.g., COPD, asthma, head injury) | Taking too much Lortab (hydrocodone / acetaminophen)

Opioids like Lortab (hydrocodone / acetaminophen) can cause dangerously slow breathing, which can be life-threatening. This can happen to anyone and at recommended doses. But the risk is greatest when you first start treatment or when your dose goes up.

Don't drink alcohol while you're taking an opioid medication. And don't take opioids at the same time as other medications that slow your body down (e.g., benzodiazepines, muscle relaxants). Doing so raises your risk of extremely slowed breathing.

Your prescriber might write a prescription for naloxone (Narcan), a medication that can reverse slowed breathing from opioids. Carry it with you at all times. Use naloxone, call 911, and get medical help right away if you or your loved one notices that you have trouble breathing or have bluish-colored lips, fingers, or toes.

• Risk factors: History of opioid use disorder | Previous opioid overdose | Taking high doses of Lortab (hydrocodone / acetaminophen) | Taking more opioids than prescribed | Alcohol use

Take opioid medications like Lortab (hydrocodone / acetaminophen) exactly as prescribed. Taking too much or taking them more often than prescribed can lead to an overdose. It can also be very dangerous if someone accidentally swallows the medication. Keep the opioid medication out of reach from children, pets, or visitors to prevent accidental overdose.

Symptoms of an opioid overdose include not responding to sound or touch, extremely slowed breathing, extreme sleepiness, slow heartbeat, and cold or clammy skin. Be sure you and your loved ones know how to recognize an overdose. Your prescriber will probably write a prescription for naloxone (Narcan), a medication that can treat an opioid overdose. Carry naloxone with you at all times; use it and call 911 right away if an overdose happens.

• Risk factors: Taking high doses of Lortab (hydrocodone / acetaminophen) | Age 65 years or older | Drinking alcohol | Taking other medications that can cause sleepiness

Opioids can cause extreme sleepiness and lower your ability to think, react, and focus. Don't drink alcohol or take other medications that can cause sleepiness or "brain fog" (e.g., benzodiazepines, muscle relaxants, sleep medications) with Lortab (hydrocodone / acetaminophen). Doing so can worsen these side effects.

Be sure you know how opioid medications affect you before driving a car or doing activities that require your concentration. Talk to a healthcare professional (HCP) if you feel too sleepy after taking an opioid medication.

• Risk factors: Drinking alcohol | Taking other medications containing acetaminophen | Taking too much Lortab (hydrocodone / acetaminophen) | History of liver problems

Lortab (hydrocodone / acetaminophen) contains acetaminophen. Taking too much acetaminophen can cause liver damage that can be life-threatening. The risk for liver damage is higher if you're taking more than one medication that contains acetaminophen, if you already have liver problems, or if you regularly drink alcohol.

Tell your prescriber about your medical history, especially if you have liver problems, before you take Lortab (hydrocodone / acetaminophen). Also avoid drinking alcohol while you're taking this medication. Your prescriber can discuss how much acetaminophen you can take per day depending on your age and your risk for liver damage.

Call an HCP right away if you notice any symptoms of liver damage. These symptoms can include tiredness, dark urine, upset stomach, stomach pain, or yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes.

Lortab (hydrocodone / acetaminophen) can interact with a lot of medications. Be sure to tell your prescriber and pharmacist about the medications you're taking and planning to take with Lortab (hydrocodone / acetaminophen). Your care team can check that your medications are safe to take together. Also talk to your care team first before making any changes to your medications because sudden dose adjustments can also lead to harm.

Some interactions can raise the level of Lortab (hydrocodone / acetaminophen) in your body. This can raise your risk for serious side effects, including potentially life-threatening slowed breathing. Some examples of medications that interact with Lortab (hydrocodone / acetaminophen) in this way include erythromycin, ketoconazole, and ritonavir (Norvir).

Other drug interactions can lower the levels of Lortab (hydrocodone / acetaminophen) in your body. This can cause the opioid medication to work less well for pain and possibly lead to withdrawal symptoms. These interactions include taking the opioid medication with rifampin (Rifadin) or carbamazepine (Tegretol).

Long-term use of Lortab (hydrocodone / acetaminophen) during pregnancy can cause your unborn baby to become dependent on the medication. This is because the opioid (hydrocodone) can pass through the placenta to your unborn baby.

Once your baby is born, they can experience withdrawal symptoms, such as high-pitched crying, poor feeding behavior, abnormal sleep patterns, and seizures. This can be life-threatening if not recognized and treated in time. Let your HCP know if you've used Lortab (hydrocodone / acetaminophen) or any other opioids during pregnancy or if you notice these symptoms in your baby.

• Risk factors: Allergy to other opioids

Severe allergic reactions to Lortab (hydrocodone / acetaminophen) are possible, including life-threatening reactions like facial swelling, shock, and anaphylaxis (e.g., closing of the throat). In addition, acetaminophen can rarely cause serious skin reactions, such as rash, blisters, skin reddening, or skin peeling. Get medical help right away if you notice unusual changes in your skin, swelling of the lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing.

• Risk factors: Long-term use of Lortab (hydrocodone / acetaminophen)

Opioids like Lortab (hydrocodone / acetaminophen) can cause physical dependence when they're taken for a long period of time. This means that your body starts to rely on the medication to function. You might experience withdrawal if you suddenly stop taking the medication or lower your dose too fast. Withdrawal symptoms can be bothersome and include anxiety, restlessness, irritability, sweating, and chills.

Don't lower your dose or stop taking the medication suddenly without talking to your prescriber first. Your prescriber will slowly lower your dose to prevent withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your prescriber about alternative pain medications if you have concerns about the risk for dependence and withdrawal from opioid use.

Lortab (hydrocodone / acetaminophen) and other opioids can cause extremely low blood pressure. Your blood pressure might drop when you stand from a sitting or lying down position. This can lead to dizziness and fainting. To avoid falling, get up slowly if you've been sitting or lying down. Talk to your HCP if any dizziness or lightheadedness doesn't go away.

• Risk factors: Taking Lortab (hydrocodone / acetaminophen) for longer than 1 month

Some people who take opioid medications like Lortab (hydrocodone / acetaminophen) have had low adrenal hormone levels. This might be more likely to happen after taking opioids for longer than 1 month. Symptoms include tiredness, dizziness, weakness, not feeling hungry, and nausea. Tell an HCP if you have these symptoms. If your adrenal hormone levels are too low, you might need to stop Lortab (hydrocodone / acetaminophen) and get treated with corticosteroids.

• Risk factors: History of seizure conditions

Opioids such as hydrocodone can raise the risk of having seizures more often in people who've had one before. Opioid medications can also raise your risk of seizures in certain situations. Get medical help right away if you have a seizure while you're taking this medication.