MISUSE OF OPIOID MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.
Taking opioid medicine during pregnancy may cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the newborn.
Fatal side effects can occur if you use opioid medicine with alcohol, or with other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing.
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.
Overview
Acetaminophen and oxycodone is a combination medicine used to relieve moderate to severe pain.
Acetaminophen and oxycodone contains an opioide medicine and may be habit-forming.
Acetaminophen and oxycodone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What Should I Discuss with My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Acetaminophen and Oxycodone?
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to acetaminophen or oxycodone, or if you have:
- severe asthma or breathing problems; or
- a blockage in your stomach or intestines.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- breathing problems, sleep apnea;
- liver disease;
- a drug or alcohol addiction;
- kidney disease;
- a head injury or seizures;
- urination problems; or
- problems with your thyroid, pancreas, or gallbladder.
If you use opioid 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 opioids may need medical treatment for several weeks.
Ask a doctor before using opioid medicine if you are breastfeeding. Tell your doctor if you notice severe drowsiness or slow breathing in the nursing baby.
How Should I Take Acetaminophen and Oxycodone?
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 you feel an increased urge to use more of this medicine.
Never share opioid medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. MISUSE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medicine in a place where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away opioid medicine is against the law.
Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).
If you need surgery or medical tests, tell the doctor ahead of time that you are using this medicine.
You should not stop using this medicine suddenly. Follow your doctor’s instructions about tapering your dose.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep track of your medicine. You should be aware if anyone is using it improperly or without a prescription.
Do not keep leftover opioid medication. Just one dose can cause death in someone using this medicine accidentally or improperly. Ask your pharmacist where to locate a drug take-back disposal program. If there is no take-back program, flush the unused medicine down the toilet.
What Happens if I Miss a Dose?
Since this medicine is used for pain, you are not likely to miss a dose. Skip any missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.
What Happens if I Overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of this medicine can be fatal, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, sweating, severe drowsiness, pinpoint pupils, slow breathing, or no breathing.
Your doctor may recommend you get naloxone (a medicine to reverse an opioid overdose) and keep it with you at all times. A person caring for you can give the naloxone if you stop breathing or don’t wake up. Your caregiver must still get emergency medical help and may need to perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) on you while waiting for help to arrive.
Anyone can buy naloxone from a pharmacy or local health department. Make sure any person caring for you knows where you keep naloxone and how to use it.
What Should I Avoid While Taking Acetaminophen and Oxycodone?
Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.
Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death could occur.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine that may contain acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as APAP). Taking certain medications together can lead to a fatal overdose.
What Are the Possible Side Effects?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Opioid medicine can slow or stop your breathing, and death may occur. A person caring for you should give naloxone and/or seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.
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.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- noisy breathing, sighing, shallow breathing, breathing that stops;
- a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
- weakness, tiredness, fever, unusual bruising or bleeding;
- confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior;
- problems with urination;
- liver problems –nausea, upper stomach pain, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
- low cortisol levels — nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, worsening tiredness or weakness; or
- high levels of serotonin in the body –agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
Serious breathing problems may be more likely in older adults and in those who are debilitated or have wasting syndrome or chronic breathing disorders.
Common side effects include:
- dizziness, drowsiness, feeling tired;
- feelings of extreme happiness or sadness;
- nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;
- constipation; or
- headache.
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.
What Other Drugs Will Affect Acetaminophen and Oxycodone?
You may have breathing problems or withdrawal symptoms if you start or stop taking certain other medicines. Tell your doctor if you also use an antibiotic, antifungal medication, heart or blood pressure medication, seizure medication, or medicine to treat HIV or hepatitis C.
Opioid medication can interact with many other drugs and cause dangerous side effects or death. Be sure your doctor knows if you also use:
- cold or allergy medicines, bronchodilator asthma/COPD medication, or a diuretic (“water pill”);
- medicines for motion sickness, irritable bowel syndrome, or overactive bladder;
- other opioids –opioid pain medicine or prescription cough medicine;
- a sedative like Valium –diazepam, alprazolam, lorazepam, Xanax, Klonopin, Versed, and others;
- drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing –a sleeping pill, muscle relaxer, medicine to treat mood disorders or mental illness;
- drugs that affect serotonin levels in your body –a stimulant, or medicine for depression, Parkinson’s disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or nausea and vomiting.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect acetaminophen and oxycodone, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.
Where Can I Get More Information?
Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about acetaminophen and oxycodone.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I take Acetaminophen and Oxycodone with over-the-counter supplements?
It’s important to discuss with your healthcare provider before combining these medications with any supplements, as there can be unexpected interactions.
2. How does long-term use of Acetaminophen and Oxycodone affect health?
Long-term use can lead to tolerance, dependence, and potential negative health impacts, especially on liver and kidney functions.
3. Are there non-opioid alternatives for managing severe pain?
Yes, there are non-opioid alternatives for pain management. Consult your healthcare provider for options suitable for your specific condition.
4. How does Acetaminophen and Oxycodone interact with mental health medications?
This medication can interact with mental health medications, potentially leading to increased side effects or decreased effectiveness. Always inform your doctor about all medications you’re taking.
5. What are the signs of liver damage due to Acetaminophen and Oxycodone?
Symptoms of liver damage include nausea, upper stomach pain, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, and jaundice.
6. Is it safe to drive while taking Acetaminophen and Oxycodone?
This medication can cause dizziness and drowsiness, making it unsafe to drive or operate heavy machinery.
7. How can I safely dispose of unused Acetaminophen and Oxycodone?
Unused medication should be disposed of through a drug take-back program or by following specific disposal instructions, not by flushing or in household trash.
Conclusion
Acetaminophen and Oxycodone, a potent pain relief medication, must be used with caution due to its potential for addiction and serious side effects. It requires careful monitoring and adherence to prescribed guidelines, including understanding interactions with other drugs, recognizing signs of misuse or overdose, and safe storage and disposal practices.