Lortab

What is Lortab?

Lortab is formulated with a mixture of Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen. Hydrocodone is one kind of opioid drug which works as pain relievers. An opioid is often called a narcotic. On the other hand Acetaminophen is known as a less powerful pain reliever but it enhances the effects of hydrocodone. Doctors usually prescribe Lortab to relieve moderate to extreme pain. It may also be recommended for other health problems.

What are things patients need to know before taking Lortab?

A patient should not have Lortab if he is allergic to either acetaminophen or hydrocodone. So you need check whether you may have any allergic reaction to any other substances of the pills. You should not have Lortab if the drug was not prescribed by a registered doctor or physician for you.

Before starting to have Lortab, you should tell your doctor if you have health issues such as brain problem or a head injury; difficulty breathing or lung problems; kidney problems; liver problems; adrenal gland problems, for instance Addison's disease; gallbladder problems; abnormal prostate gland; low thyroid or hypothyroidism; an abnormality in the spine which may affect breathing; problems urinating; alcoholism; hallucinations or serious mental problems.

How should a patient take Lortab?

You should take Lortab exactly the same way as recommended by your physician or doctor. You should not have in smaller or larger amounts or for shorter or longer than prescribed. You also need to follow the instructions on your prescription label. You need to keep it in your mind that your doctor or physician may sometimes change your dose of the pill to ensure that you get the best results.

You should not chew, crush, break, or open an extended-release pill bottle. You must swallow it whole because breaking the pill may lead to you a situation when you have too much of the pill into your system released at one time.

What happens if a patient misses a dose?

In many occasions patients forget their dosing schedules. If a patient is taking Lortab regularly, he should have the missed dose whenever he can remember. When it is the time to have the next dose he should skip that and more to his regular dose afterwards. However, never take a double dose of this drug.

What happens if you overdose?

You need to seek emergency medical assistance if you feel you have taken Lortab more than you have been prescribed. The first signs of an overdose are vomiting, nausea, sweating, reduced appetite, weakness, stomach pain and confusion. Later other symptoms may include dark urine, pain in stomach, and change of the skin or the whites of the eyes.

Overdose symptoms can also include extreme cold and clammy skin, drowsiness, fainting, pinpoint pupils, muscle weakness, weak pulse, coma, slow heart rate, blue lips, shallow breathing, or severe breathing problems.

What are the possible side effects of Lortab?

You should call your doctor or physician as soon as possible and seek medical assistance right away if you experience shallow breathing; slow heartbeat allergic reaction for instance difficulty breathing; swelling of the tongue, lips, or face; closing of the throat; confusion or dizziness or; liver problems for instance yellowing of the eyes or the skin, light colored stools, dark colored urine, reduced appetite for quite a few days or longer, stomach pain or nausea.

Some other less severe side effects are more common. You can continue taking Lortab and but you should also tell your doctor oor physician if you have dizziness, anxiety, drowsiness; vomiting, mild nausea, constipation, upset stomach; mood changes, headache; ringing in the ears; blurred vision; or dry mouth.

Taking Lortab during pregnancy

At present clinical trials could not confirm whether Lortab can cause any problem to an unborn child. But it could cause low birth weight, premature birth, or withdrawal symptoms in a baby if the mother takes Lortab during her pregnancy. If you are pregnant or decided to conceive you need to tell your doctor or physician before having this medicine. Again, there are no data on the passing of Lortab into human milk.

Like all other medicines proper precautions and safety measures should be taken before taking Lortab. Again this medicine must only be taken in a proper way after consulting with a doctor.