What is the most important information I should know about acetaminophen and oxycodone?

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Do not stop taking acetaminophen and oxycodone suddenly if you have been taking it continuously for more than 5 to 7 days. Stopping suddenly could cause withdrawal symptoms and make you feel uncomfortable. Your doctor may want to gradually reduce your dose.

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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Oxycodone may cause drowsiness or dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities.

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Avoid alcohol while taking acetaminophen and oxycodone. Alcohol may increase the drowsiness and dizziness caused by acetaminophen and oxycodone and could be dangerous. Also, acetaminophen can be toxic to your liver when taken with as little as 2 drinks of alcohol.

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Also avoid sleeping pills, tranquilizers, sedatives, and antihistamines except under the supervision of your doctor. These medications also may cause dangerous sedation.

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Acetaminophen and oxycodone may cause constipation. Drink plenty of water (six to eight full glasses a day) to lessen this side effect. Increasing the amount of fiber in your diet can also help to alleviate constipation.

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Never take more acetaminophen and oxycodone than is prescribed for you. If your pain is not being adequately treated, talk to your doctor.

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Watch the acetaminophen content of other over-the-counter and prescription products while taking this medication. Do not take more than a total of 4 grams (4000 mg) of acetaminophen per day.

What is acetaminophen and oxycodone?

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Oxycodone (related to codeine) is in a class of drugs called narcotic analgesics. It relieves pain.

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Acetaminophen is a less potent pain reliever that increases the effects of oxycodone.

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Together, acetaminophen and oxycodone are used to relieve moderate-to-severe pain.

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Acetaminophen and oxycodone may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Who should not take acetaminophen and oxycodone?

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Before taking acetaminophen and oxycodone, tell your doctor if you have

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kidney disease;

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liver disease;

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asthma;

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urinary retention;

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an enlarged prostate;

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hypothyroidism;

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seizures or epilepsy;

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gallbladder disease;

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a head injury;

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Addison's disease; or

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a history of alcohol or drug addiction.

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You may not be able to take acetaminophen and oxycodone, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

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This drug combination is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether it will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

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It is not known whether this drug combination passes into breast milk. Do not take acetaminophen and oxycodone without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

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If you are younger than 18 years of age or older than 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from acetaminophen and oxycodone therapy. Use extra caution.

How should I take acetaminophen and oxycodone?

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Take acetaminophen and oxycodone exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

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Take each dose with a full glass of water.

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Take acetaminophen and oxycodone with food or milk if it upsets your stomach.

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Never take more acetaminophen and oxycodone than is prescribed for you. Too much acetaminophen and oxycodone could be very harmful.

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To ensure that you get a correct dose, measure the liquid form of oxycodone with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.

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Do not stop taking acetaminophen and oxycodone suddenly if you have been taking it continuously for more than 5 to 7 days. Stopping suddenly could cause withdrawal symptoms and make you feel uncomfortable. Your doctor may want to gradually reduce your dose.

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Acetaminophen and oxycodone may cause constipation. Drink plenty of water (six to eight full glasses a day) to lessen this side effect. Increasing the amount of fiber in your diet can also help to alleviate constipation.

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Do not share this medication with anyone else.

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Store acetaminophen and oxycodone at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Do not take a double dose of this medication. Wait the prescribed amount of time before taking your next dose.

What happens if I overdose?

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Seek emergency medical attention.

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Symptoms of an acetaminophen and oxycodone overdose include slow breathing, seizures, dizziness, weakness, loss of consciousness, coma, confusion, tiredness, cold and clammy skin, small pupils, nausea, vomiting, and sweating.

What should I avoid while taking acetaminophen and oxycodone?

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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Oxycodone may cause drowsiness or dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities.

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Avoid alcohol while taking acetaminophen and oxycodone. Alcohol may increase the drowsiness and dizziness caused by acetaminophen and oxycodone and could be dangerous. Also, acetaminophen can be toxic to your liver when taken with as little as 2 drinks of alcohol.

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Also avoid sleeping pills, tranquilizers, sedatives, and antihistamines except under the supervision of your doctor. These medications also may cause dangerous sedation.

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Watch the acetaminophen content of other over-the-counter and prescription products while taking this medication. Do not take more than a total of 4 grams (4000 mg) of acetaminophen per day.

What are the possible side effects of acetaminophen and oxycodone?

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If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking acetaminophen and oxycodone and seek emergency medical attention or notify your doctor immediately:

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an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

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slow, weak breathing;

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seizures;

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cold, clammy skin;

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severe weakness or dizziness;

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unconsciousness;

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yellowing of the skin or eyes; or

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unusual fatigue, bleeding, or bruising.

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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take acetaminophen and oxycodone and talk to your doctor if you experience

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constipation;

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dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, or decreased appetite;

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dizziness, tiredness, or lightheadedness;

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muscle twitches;

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sweating;

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itching;

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decreased urination; or

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decreased sex drive.

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Acetaminophen and oxycodone is habit forming. Do not stop taking it suddenly.

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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect acetaminophen and oxycodone?

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Do not take acetaminophen and oxycodone if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. Dangerous side effects could result.

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The most serious interactions affecting acetaminophen and oxycodone are with those drugs that also cause sedation. The following drugs may lead to dangerous sedation if taken with acetaminophen and oxycodone:

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antihistamines such as brompheniramine (Dimetane, Bromfed, others), diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Nytol, Compoz, others), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton, Teldrin, others), and others;

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tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline (Elavil) and doxepin (Sinequan), and serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and paroxetine (Paxil);

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other commonly used antidepressants, including amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and protriptyline (Vivactil);

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anticholinergics such as belladonna (Donnatal), clidinium (Quarzan), dicyclomine (Bentyl, Antispas), hyoscyamine (Levsin, Anaspaz), ipratropium (Atrovent), propantheline (Pro-Banthine), and scopolamine (Transderm-Scop);

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phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), thioridazine (Mellaril), and prochlorperazine (Compazine); and

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tranquilizers and sedatives such as phenobarbital (Solfoton, Luminal), amobarbital (Amytal), secobarbital (Seconal), alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), flurazepam (ProSom), and temazepam (Restoril).

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You may not be able to take acetaminophen and oxycodone or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

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Watch the acetaminophen content of other over-the-counter and prescription products while taking this medication. Do not take more than a total of 4 grams (4000 mg) of acetaminophen per day.

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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with acetaminophen and oxycodone. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

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Your pharmacist has additional information about acetaminophen and oxycodone written for health professionals that you may read.

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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.

The information contained in Advanced Pain Treatment’s website is intended as an educational aid only.

• It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.
• It is not a substitute for a medical exam, nor does it replace the need for services provided by medical professionals.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over the counter drugs (including any herbal medicines or supplements) or following any treatment or regimen. Only your doctor or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you.

Advanced Pain Treatment is not responsible for application of any information provided in its website. By use of this website user agrees to hold Advanced Pain Treatment harmless in any legal action regarding use, interpretation or application of this website’s information.

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