Lortab contains a combination of acetaminophen and hydrocodone. Both medicines are pain killers. Hydrocodone is an opioid pain medication. An opioid is sometimes called a narcotic.
Acetaminophen is a less potent pain reliever that increases the effects of hydrocodone.
Lortab is used to relieve moderate to severe pain.
Lortab may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information
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 taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.
Do not take more of this medicine than is recommended. 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).
In rare cases, acetaminophen may cause a severe skin 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.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Lortab if you are allergic to acetaminophen (Tylenol) or hydrocodone, or if you have recently used alcohol, sedatives, tranquilizers, or other narcotic medications.
Do not use this medicine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.
To make sure Lortab is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
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liver disease, cirrhosis, or if you drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day;
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a history of alcoholism or drug addiction;
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diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease;
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bowel obstruction, severe constipation;
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a colostomy or ileostomy;
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kidney disease;
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low blood pressure, or if you are dehydrated;
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a history of head injury, brain tumor, or stroke; or
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asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, or other breathing disorders.
This medicine is more likely to cause breathing problems in older adults and people who are severely ill, malnourished, or otherwise debilitated.
It is not known whether Lortab is harmful to an unborn baby. If you use narcotic medicine while you are pregnant, your baby could become dependent on the drug. This can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby after it is born. Babies born dependent on habit-forming medicine may need medical treatment for several weeks. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using Lortab.
Acetaminophen and hydrocodone can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using Lortab.
How should I take Lortab?
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 Lortabe 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 medicine 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.
Lortab can cause unusual results with certain urine tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Lortab.
If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using Lortab.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. Hydrocodone is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.
Always check your bottle to make sure you have received the correct pills (same brand and type) of medicine prescribed by your doctor. Ask the pharmacist if you have any questions about the medicine you receive at the pharmacy.
Lortab dosing information
Usual Adult Dose of Lortab for Pain:
Tablets:
Recommended dose:
Acetaminophen-hydrocodone 300 mg-5 mg: 1 to 2 tablets orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed
Acetaminophen-hydrocodone 300 mg-7.5 mg: 1 tablet orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed
Acetaminophen-hydrocodone 300 mg-10 mg: 1 tablet orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed
Maximum dose:
Acetaminophen-hydrocodone 300 mg-5 mg: 8 tablets daily
Acetaminophen-hydrocodone 300 mg-7.5 mg: 6 tablets daily
Acetaminophen-hydrocodone 300 mg-10 mg: 6 tablets daily
Liquid:
Recommended dose:
15 mL (acetaminophen-hydrocodone 325 mg-7.5 mg) orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed
Maximum dose: 6 tablespoonfuls daily
Comments:
Dosage should be adjusted according to severity of the pain and the response of the patient. Tolerance to hydrocodone can develop with continued use and the incidence of side effects is dose related.
Approved indication: For the relief of moderate to moderately severe pain
Usual Pediatric Dose of Lortab for Pain:
Recommended dosing for children 2 to 18 years of age:
12 to 15 kg (27 to 34 lbs.) - about 2 to 3 years old:
Recommended dose: 3.75 mL orally every 4 to 6 hours
Maximum dose: 22.5 mL daily (in 6 divided doses)
16 to 22 kg (36 to 50 lbs.) - about 4 to 6 years old:
Recommended dose: 5 mL orally every 4 to 6 hours
Maximum dose: 30 mL daily (in 6 divided doses)
23 to 31 kg (51 to 69 lbs.) - about 7 to 9 years old:
Recommended dose: 7.5 mL orally every 4 to 6 hours
Maximum dose: 45 mL daily (in 6 divided doses)
32 to 45 kg (70 to 100 lbs.) - about 10 to 13 years old:
Recommended dose: 10 mL orally every 4 to 6 hours
Maximum dose: 60 mL daily (in 6 divided doses)
48 kg and up (101 lbs and up) - 18 years to adult:
Recommended dose: 15 mL orally every 4 to 6 hours
Maximum dose: 90 mL daily (in 6 divided doses)
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since Lortab is taken as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of Lortab can be fatal.
The first signs of an acetaminophen overdose include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, sweating, and confusion or weakness. Later symptoms may include pain in your upper stomach, dark urine, and yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.
Overdose symptoms may also include extreme drowsiness, pinpoint pupils, cold and clammy skin, muscle weakness, fainting, weak pulse, slow heart rate, coma, blue lips, shallow breathing, or no breathing
What should I avoid while taking Lortab?
Lortab may impair your thinking or reactions. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how Lortab will affect you. Dizziness or severe drowsiness can cause falls or other accidents.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy, pain, or sleep medication. Acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as APAP) is contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much acetaminophen which can lead to a fatal overdose. Check the label to see if a medicine contains acetaminophen or APAP.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of liver damage while taking acetaminophen.
Lortab side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these 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 this medicine 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:
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shallow breathing, slow heartbeat;
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a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
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confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior;
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seizure (convulsions);
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easy bruising or bleeding; or
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nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Common Lortab side effects include:
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
What other drugs will affect Lortab?
Taking this medicine with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous or life-threatening side effects. Ask your doctor before taking Lortab with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.
Other drugs may interact with acetaminophen and hydrocodone, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.
