Take hydrocodone and acetaminophen only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. This is especially important for elderly patients, who may be more sensitive to the effects of pain medicines. If too much of hydrocodone and acetaminophen is taken for a long time, it may become habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence) or cause an overdose. Large amounts of acetaminophen may cause liver damage.
It is very important that you understand the rules of the Opioid Analgesic REMS program to prevent addiction, abuse, and misuse of hydrocodone and acetaminophen combination. Hydrocodone and acetaminophen should also come with a Medication Guide and patient information leaflet. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Read it again each time you refill your prescription in case there is new information. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.
Measure the oral liquid with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, dropper, or medicine cup. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.
This combination medicine contains acetaminophen (Tylenol®). Carefully check the labels of all other medicines you are using, because they may also contain acetaminophen. It is not safe to use more than 4 grams (4,000 milligrams) of acetaminophen in one day (24 hours).
Dosing
The dose of hydrocodone and acetaminophen will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of hydrocodone and acetaminophen. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
For moderate to severe pain:
For oral dosage form (capsules):
Adults—1 or 2 capsules every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 8 capsules per day.
Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For oral dosage form (elixir):
Adults and children 14 years of age and older and weighing 46 kilograms (kg) and more—11.25 milliliters (mL) every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 67.5 mL per day.
Children 10 to 13 years of age and weighing 32 to 45 kg—7.5 mL every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 45 mL per day.
Children 7 to 9 years of age and weighing 23 to 31 kg—5.6 mL every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 33.6 mL per day.
Children 4 to 6 years of age and weighing 16 to 22 kg—3.75 mL every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 22.5 mL per day.
Children 2 to 3 years of age and weighing 12 to 15 kg—2.8 mL every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 16.8 mL per day.
Children younger than 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For oral dosage form (7.5 milligrams [mg] per 325 mg per 15 mL solution):
Adults and children 14 years of age and older and weighing 46 kg and more—15 milliliters (mL) or 1 tablespoonful every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 90 mL (6 tablespoonfuls) per day.
Children 10 to 13 years of age and weighing 32 to 45 kg—10 mL (2 teaspoonfuls) every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 60 mL (12 teaspoonfuls) per day.
Children 7 to 9 years of age and weighing 23 to 31 kg—7.5 mL (1 and 1/2 teaspoonfuls) every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 45 mL (9 teaspoonfuls) per day.
Children 4 to 6 years of age and weighing 16 to 22 kg—5 mL (1 teaspoonful) every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 30 mL (6 teaspoonfuls) per day.
Children 2 to 3 years of age and weighing 12 to 15 kg—3.75 mL (3/4 teaspoonful) every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 22.5 mL (4 and 1/2 teaspoonfuls) per day.
Children younger than 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For oral dosage form (10 milligrams [mg] per 325 mg per 15 mL solution):
Adults—15 milliliters (mL) or 1 tablespoonful every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 90 mL (6 tablespoonfuls) per day.
Children 14 years of age and older and weighing 46 kg and more—11.25 mL (2 and 1/4 teaspoonfuls) every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 67.5 mL (13 and 1/2 teaspoonfuls) per day.
Children 10 to 13 years of age and weighing 32 to 45 kg—7.5 mL (1 and 1/2 teaspoonfuls) every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 45 mL (9 teaspoonfuls) per day.
Children 7 to 9 years of age and weighing 23 to 31 kg—5.6 mL (1 teaspoonful) every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 33.6 mL (6 and 1/2 teaspoonfuls) per day.
Children 4 to 6 years of age and weighing 16 to 22 kg—3.75 mL (3/4 teaspoonful) every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 22.5 mL (4 and 1/2 teaspoonfuls) per day.
Children 2 to 3 years of age and weighing 12 to 15 kg—2.8 mL (1/2 teaspoonful) every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 16.8 mL (3 and 1/4 teaspoonfuls) per day.
Children younger than 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For oral dosage form (5 milligrams [mg] per 325 mg tablets):
Adults—
Lortab®: 1 or 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 12 tablets per day.
Norco® 5/325: 1 or 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 8 tablets per day.
Generic: Dose depends on the strength of the tablet and must be determined by your doctor.
Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For oral dosage form (7.5 mg per 325 mg tablets):
Adults—
Lortab®: 1 tablet every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 6 tablets per day.
Norco® 7.5/325: 1 tablet every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 6 tablets per day.
Generic: Dose depends on the strength of the tablet and must be determined by your doctor.
Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For oral dosage form (10 mg per 325 mg tablets):
Adults—
Lortab®: 1 tablet every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 6 tablets per day.
Norco® 10/325: 1 tablet every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 6 tablets per day.
Generic: Dose depends on the strength of the tablet and must be determined by your doctor.
Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Missed dose
If you miss a dose of hydrocodone and acetaminophen, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
If you miss a dose of hydrocodone and acetaminophen oral solution or Norco®, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Hydrocodone can cause serious unwanted effects or fatal overdose if taken by children, pets, or adults who are not used to strong narcotic pain medicines. Make sure you store the medicine in a safe and secure place to prevent others from getting it.
Drop off any unused narcotic medicine at a drug take-back location right away. If you do not have a drug take-back location near you, flush any unused narcotic medicine down the toilet. Check your local drug store and clinics for take-back locations. You can also check the DEA web site for locations. Here is the link to the FDA safe disposal of medicines website: www.fda.gov/drugs/resourcesforyou/consumers/buyingusingmedicinesafely/ensuringsafeuseofmedicine/safedisposalofmedicines/ucm186187.htm .
 Detailed Acetaminophen/hydrocodone dosage information
