Lortab 2.5 (Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Acetaminophen Tablets) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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May 26, 2012

Lortab 2.5

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For what conditions are pain medications used?

Virtually any disease as well as most injuries and surgical procedures involve some degree of pain. It's not surprising, then, that pain medications, also known as analgesics, are among the most commonly used drugs in the U.S. Pain can range from minor, acute complaints, such as a muscle sprain, to chronic, severe pain, such as that sometimes experienced by cancer patients. Some drugs used for other conditions also are effective at relieving certain types of pain. These drugs include certain drugs used for depression, epilepsy, and anxiety.

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Pain medications can be broadly classified into two categories: prescription and nonprescription. In the latter category are several mild anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, naproxen), as well as acetaminophen. These are mainly meant for use with short-term, acute pain -- menstrual cramps,...

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LORTAB® 2.5/500
(hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen) Tablets, USP 2.5 mg /500 mg

DRUG DESCRIPTION

Hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen is supplied in tablet form for oral administration.

WARNING: May be habit forming (see PRECAUTIONS, Information for Patients, and DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE).

Hydrocodone bitartrate is an opioid analgesic and antitussive and occurs as fine, white crystals or as a crystalline powder. It is affected by light. The chemical name is 4,5α- epoxy-3-methoxy-17-methylmorphinan-6-one tartrate (1:1) hydrate (2:5). It has the following structural formula:

Hydrocodone Bitartrate structural formula illustration

C₁₈H₂₁NO₃• C₄H₆0₆ • 2 ½ H₂0 M.W. 494.50

Acetaminophen, 4'-hydroxyacetanilide, a slightly bitter, white, odorless, crystalline powder, is a non-opiate, non-salicylate analgesic and antipyretic. It has the following structural formula:

C₈H₉NO₂ M.W. 151.17

Each Lortab 2.5 (hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen tablets) /500 tablet contains:

Hydrocodone Bitartrate............................2.5 mg
Acetaminophen.....................................500 mg

In addition, each tablet contains the following inactive ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, crospovidone, micro-crystalline cellulose, povidone, pregelatinized starch, stearic acid and sugar spheres which are composed of starch derived from corn, sucrose, and FD&C Red #3.

What are the precautions when taking hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen tablets (Lortab 2.5)?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other narcotics (e.g., morphine, codeine); or if you have any other allergies.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: severe breathing problems (e.g., respiratory depression, hypercapnia), severe diarrhea (e.g., pseudomembranous colitis, infectious diarrhea due to toxins).

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, kidney disease, difficulty urinating (e.g., enlarged prostate, urethral stricture), alcohol use, drug dependency, heart problems (e.g., slow/irregular heartbeat, very low blood pressure),...

Read All Potential Precautions of Lortab 2.5 »

Last reviewed on RxList: 1/30/2008
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.