Hydrocodone and Ibuprofen (Systemic)

Brand Names : Vicoprofen

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For hydrocodone and ibuprofen combination, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to aspirin, hydrocodone or other narcotic analgesics, or ibuprofen or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Studies on birth defects with hydrocodone and ibuprofen combination have not been done in pregnant women. However, there is a chance that the ibuprofen in this combination may cause unwanted effects on the heart or blood flow of the fetus or newborn baby if they are taken during the last few months of pregnancy. Also, too much use during pregnancy of a narcotic analgesic like the hydrocodone in the combination may cause the baby to become dependent on the medicine. This may lead to withdrawal side effects after birth. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding - It is not known whether hydrocodone and ibuprofen combination passes into breast milk. However, hydrocodone and ibuprofen combination is not recommended for use during breast-feeding because it may cause unwanted effects in nursing babies.

Children - Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of hydrocodone and ibuprofen combination in children with its use in other age groups.

Older adults - Elderly people are especially sensitive to the effects of hydrocodone and ibuprofen combination. This may increase the chance of side effects during treatment. Constipation may be especially likely to occur in elderly patients.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking hydrocodone and ibuprofen combination, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

• Alcohol or
• Central nervous system (CNS) depressants (medicine that causes drowsiness) or
• Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor activity (isocarboxazid [e.g., Marplan], phenelzine [e.g., Nardil], procarbazine [e.g., Matulane], selegiline [e.g., Eldepryl], tranylcypromine [e.g., Parnate]) or
• Tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline [e.g., Elavil], amoxapine [e.g., Asendin], clomipramine [e.g., Anafranil], desipramine [e.g., Pertofrane], doxepin [e.g., Sinequan], imipramine [e.g., Tofranil], nortriptyline [e.g., Aventyl], protriptyline [e.g., Vivactil], trimipramine [e.g., Surmontil] - The chance of side effects may be increased

• Anticoagulants (blood thinners) - The chance of bleeding may be increased

• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (benazepril [e.g., Lotensin], captopril [e.g., Capoten], enalapril [e.g., Vasotec], fosinopril [e.g., Monopril], lisinopril [e.g., Prinivil, Zestril], quinapril [e.g., Accupril], ramipril [e.g., Altace] or
• Diuretics (water pills) - Hydrocodone and ibuprofen combination may decrease the effects of these medicines; the chance of kidney problems also may be increased

• Lithium (e.g., Lithane) or
• Methotrexate (e.g., Mexate) - Higher blood levels of these medicines and an increased chance of side effects may occur

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of hydrocodone and ibuprofen combination. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Asthma or other chronic lung disease or
• Brain disease or head injury or
• Enlarged prostate or problems with urination - Side effects of hydrocodone and ibuprofen combination may be dangerous with these conditions
• Abdominal conditions or
• Anemia or
• Alcohol abuse, or history of, or
• Bleeding problems or
• Dehydration or
• Drug dependence, especially narcotic abuse, or history of or
• Heart disease or
• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease or
• Stomach ulcer or
• Tobacco use or
• Underactive thyroid - The chance of side effects may be increased