Narcotic Analgesics and Acetaminophen (Systemic)

Proper Use of This Medicine

Take this medicine only as directed by your medical doctor or dentist . Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your medical doctor or dentist ordered. This is especially important for young children and elderly patients, who may be more sensitive than other people to the effects of narcotic analgesics. If too much of a narcotic analgesic is taken, it may become habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence) or lead to medical problems because of an overdose. Taking too much acetaminophen may cause liver damage.

If you think that this medicine is not working properly after you have been taking it for a few weeks, do not increase the dose . Instead, check with your medical doctor or dentist.

Dosing - The dose of these medicines 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 these medicines. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of capsules or tablets or teaspoonfuls of solution or suspension that you take depends on the strength of the medicine.

For acetaminophen and codeine
• For oral capsule or tablet dosage form:
  • For pain:
    • Adults - 1 or 2 capsules or tablets containing acetaminophen with 15 or 30 milligrams (mg) of codeine, or 1 capsule or tablet containing acetaminophen with 60 mg of codeine, every four hours as needed.
    • Children - Dose must be determined by the doctor, depending on the age of the child. Most young children will receive the oral solution or suspension, rather than tablets or capsules.
• For oral solution or suspension dosage form:
  • For pain:
    • Adults - 1 tablespoonful (3 teaspoonfuls) every four hours as needed.
    • Children younger than 3 years of age - Dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • Children 3 to 7 years of age - 1 teaspoonful three or four times a day as needed.
    • Children 7 to 12 years of age - 2 teaspoonfuls three or four times a day as needed.

For acetaminophen, codeine, and caffeine
• For oral tablet dosage form:
  • For pain:
    • Adults - 1 or 2 tablets every four hours as needed.
    • Children - Dose must be determined by your doctor.

For dihydrocodeine, acetaminophen, and caffeine
• For oral capsule dosage form:
  • For pain:
    • Adults - 2 capsules every four hours.
    • Children - Dose must be determined by your doctor.

For hydrocodone and acetaminophen
• For oral capsule dosage form:
  • For pain:
    • Adults - 1 capsule every four to six hours as needed.
    • Children - Dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For oral solution dosage form:
  • For pain:
    • Adults - 1 to 3 teaspoonfuls every four to six hours as needed.
    • Children - Dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For oral tablet dosage form:
  • For pain:
    • Adults - 1 or 2 tablets containing acetaminophen with 2.5 milligrams (mg) of hydrocodone, or 1 tablet containing acetaminophen with 5, 7.5, or 10 mg of hydrocodone, every four to six hours as needed.
    • Children - Dose must be determined by your doctor.

For oxycodone and acetaminophen
• For oral capsule or tablet dosage form:
  • For pain:
    • Adults - 1 to 2 capsules or tablets every four to six hours as needed.
    • Children - Dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For oral solution dosage form:
  • For pain:
    • Adults - 1 teaspoonful every four to six hours as needed.
    • Children - Dose must be determined by your doctor.

For pentazocine and acetaminophen
• For oral tablet dosage form:
  • For pain:
    • Adults - 1 tablet every four hours.
    • Children - Dose must be determined by your doctor.

For propoxyphene and acetaminophen
• For oral tablet dosage form:
  • For pain:
    • Adults - 1 or 2 tablets, depending on the strength, every four hours as needed.
    • Children - Dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose - If your medical doctor or dentist has ordered you to take this medicine according to a regular schedule and you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. 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 .

Storage - To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children. Overdose is very dangerous in young children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store tablets or capsules in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Keep the liquid forms of this medicine from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.