Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Acetaminophen (Page 2 of 4)

PRECAUTIONS

General

As with any narcotic analgesic agent, hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen oral solution should be used with caution in elderly or debilitated patients, and those with severe impairment of hepatic or renal function, hypothyroidism, Addison’s disease, prostatic hypertrophy or urethral stricture. The usual precautions should be observed and the possibility of respiratory depression should be kept in mind. Special Risk Patients

Hydrocodone suppresses the cough reflex; as with all narcotics, caution should be exercised when hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen oral solution is used postoperatively and in patients with pulmonary disease. Cough Reflex

Information for Patients

Hydrocodone, like all narcotics, may impair mental and/or physical abilities required for the performance of potentially hazardous tasks such as driving a car or operating machinery. Such tasks should be avoided while taking this product.

Alcohol and other CNS depressants may produce an additive CNS depression when taken with this combination product, and should be avoided. Hydrocodone may be habit-forming.

Patients should take the drug only for as long as it is prescribed, in the amounts prescribed, and no more frequently than prescribed.

Physicians should instruct patients and caregivers to read the patient information leaflet, which appears as the last section of the labeling.

Do not take Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Acetaminophen Oral Solution if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.

If you develop signs of allergy such as rash or difficulty breathing stop taking Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Acetaminophen Oral Solution and contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Do not take more than 4,000 milligrams of acetaminophen per day. Call your doctor if you took more than the recommended dose.

Laboratory Tests

In patients with severe hepatic or renal disease, effects of therapy should be monitored with serial liver and/or renal function tests.

Drug Interactions

Patients receiving narcotics, antihistamines, antipsychotics, antianxiety agents, or other CNS depressants (including alcohol) concomitantly with hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen oral solution may exhibit an additive CNS depression. When combined therapy is contemplated, the dose of one or both agents should be reduced.

The use of MAO inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants with hydrocodone preparations may increase the effect of either the antidepressant or hydrocodone.

Drug/Laboratory Test Interactions

Acetaminophen may produce false-positive test results for urinary 5-hydroxyindoleactic acid.

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

No adequate studies have been conducted in animals to determine whether hydrocodone has a potential for carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, or impairment of fertility.

Hydrocodone has not demonstrated mutagenic potential using the Ames Salmonella-Microsomal Activation test, the Basc test on Drosophila germ cells, and the Micronucleus test on mouse bone marrow.

No adequate studies have been conducted in animals to determine whether acetaminophen has a potential for carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, or impairment of fertility.

Acetaminophen has not demonstrated mutagenic potential using the Ames Salmonella-Microsomal Activation test, the Basc test on Drosophila germ cells, and the Micronucleus test on mouse bone marrow.

Pregnancy

Teratogenic Effects

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Acetaminophen oral solution should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Pregnancy Category C

Nonteratogenic Effects

Babies born to mothers who have been taking opioids regularly prior to delivery will be physically dependent. The withdrawal signs include irritability and excessive crying, tremors, hyperactive reflexes, increased respiratory rate, increased stools, sneezing, yawning, vomiting and fever. These signs usually appear during the first few days of life. The intensity of the syndrome does not always correlate with the duration of maternal opioid use or dose. There is no consensus on the best method of managing withdrawal.

Labor and Delivery

Narcotic analgesics cross the placental barrier. The closer to delivery and the larger the dose used, the greater the possibility of respiratory depression in the newborn. Narcotic analgesics should be avoided during labor if delivery of a premature infant is anticipated. If the mother has received narcotic analgesics during labor, newborn infants should be observed closely for signs of respiratory depression. Resuscitation may be required (see ). The effect of hydrocodone, if any, on the later growth, development, and functional maturation of the child is unknown. OVERDOSAGE

Nursing Mothers

Acetaminophen is excreted in breast milk in small amounts, but the significance of its effects on nursing infants is not known. It is not known whether hydrocodone is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from hydrocodone and acetaminophen, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness in the pediatric population below the age of two years have not been established. Use of hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen oral solution in the pediatric population is supported by the evidence from adequate and well controlled studies of hydrocodone and acetaminophen combination products in adults with additional data which support the development of metabolic pathways in children two years of age and over (see for pediatric dosage information). DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

Geriatric Use

Clinical Studies of hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen oral solution did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.

Hydrocodone and the major metabolites of acetaminophen are known to be substantially excreted by the kidney. Thus the risk of toxic reactions may be greater in patients with impaired renal function due to the accumulation of the parent compound and/or metabolites in the plasma. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection, and it may be useful to monitor renal function.

Hydrocodone may cause confusion and over-sedation in the elderly; elderly patients generally should be started on low doses of hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen oral solution and observed closely.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Boca Pharmacal, LLC at 1-800-444-4011, or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Potential effects of high dosage are also listed in the section. OVERDOSE

Bradycardia, cardiac arrest, circulatory collapse, renal toxicity, renal tubular necrosis, hypotension. Cardio-Renal:

Anxiety, dizziness, drowsiness, dysphoria, euphoria, fear, general malaise, impairment of mental and physical performance, lethargy, lightheadedness, mental clouding, mood changes, psychological dependence, sedation, somnolence progressing to stupor or coma. Central Nervous System/Psychiatric:

Hypoglycemic coma. Endocrine:

Abdominal pain, constipation, gastric distress, heartburn, hepatic necrosis, hepatitis, occult blood loss, nausea, peptic ulcer, and vomiting. Gastrointestinal System:

Spasm of vesical sphincters, ureteral spasm, and urinary retention. Genitourinary System:

Agranulocytosis, hemolytic anemia, iron deficiency anemia, prolonged bleeding time, thrombocytopenia. Hematologic:

Allergic reactions. Hypersensitivity:

Skeletal muscle flaccidity. Musculoskeletal:

Acute airway obstruction, apnea, dose-related respiratory depression (see ), shortness of breath. Respiratory Depression: OVERDOSAGE

Cases of hearing impairment or permanent loss have been reported predominantly in patients with chronic overdose. Special Senses:

Cold and clammy skin, diaphoresis, pruritus, rash. Skin:

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