When one seeks medical attention, the first and foremost task handed to the physician is to assess the patient’s medical history and then prescribe an appropriate personalized medical regimen. Be it infectious diseases, chronic conditions, or metabolic disorders, prescription of medication is only the first step of proceedings. It is equally upon the patient, as much as it is upon the doctor and healthcare professionals examining him, to stick to his or her prescribed routine and get a follow-up check done on a regular basis.
The dose is the amount of drug taken at any one time. This can be expressed as the weight of the drug (e.g. 250 mg), the volume of drug solution (e.g. 10 mL, 2 drops), the number of dosage forms (e.g. 1 capsule, 1 suppository), or some other quantity (e.g. 2 puffs). The dosage regimen is the frequency at which the drug doses are given. Examples include 2.5 mL twice a day, one tablet three times a day, and one injection every four weeks.
The total daily dose is calculated from the dose and the number of times per day the dose is taken while the optimal dosage is the dosage that gives the desired effect with minimum side effects. There are many factors taken into consideration when deciding the dose of a drug – including the age of the patient, weight, sex, ethnicity, liver and kidney function, and whether the patient smokes. Other medicines may also affect the drug dose. Adherence and compliance are pivotal in ensuring an improved health outcome for the patient especially if he is suffering from a chronic condition and needs prolonged medical attention.
What is acetaminophen-hydrocodone 5-325 (Norco)?
Acetaminophen–hydrocodone is a combination prescription medication that contains an opioid pain reliever (hydrocodone 5mg ) and a non-opioid pain reliever (acetaminophen 325mg).
Hydrocodone works in the brain to change how your body feels and responds to pain. Acetaminophen can also reduce a fever. Acetaminophen-hydrocodone oral tablets are used to treat moderate to severe pain that other treatments have not been able to relieve.
These drugs work in the brain to block pain signals and decrease the ability to feel pain. Hydrocodone can alter how the body responds to pain, helping a person feel more comfortable. Acetaminophen can also reduce a fever.
Acetaminophen-hydrocodone 5-325 oral tablet is available as the brand-name drug Norco. It’s also available in its generic form. Generic drugs usually cost less than brand-name drugs. In some cases, they may not be available in every strength or form as the brand-name version.
How should I take acetaminophen-hydrocodone 5-325?
Take acetaminophen-hydrocodone 5-325 exactly as it was prescribed for you. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Never take acetaminophen and hydrocodone in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. An overdose can damage your liver or cause death. Tell your doctor if you feel an increased urge to use more of this medicine.
The usual dose of acetaminophen-hydrocodone 5-325 for adults is 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.
The Dose of generic pills of acetaminophen-hydrocodone depends on the strength of the tablet and must be determined by your doctor.
Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. MISUSE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medicine in a place where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away acetaminophen and hydrocodone is against the law.
If you need surgery or medical tests, tell the doctor ahead of time that you are using this medicine.
You should not stop using this medicine suddenly. Follow your doctor’s instructions about tapering your dose.
Store acetaminophen and hydrocodone at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep track of your medicine. You should be aware if anyone is using it improperly or without a prescription.
Do not keep leftover opioid medication. Just one dose can cause death in someone using this medicine accidentally or improperly. Ask your pharmacist where to locate a drug take-back disposal program. If there is no take-back program, flush the unused medicine down the toilet.
Can I take 2 acetaminophen-hydrocodone 5-325 pills?
Yes¸ the recommended dose of acetaminophen-hydrocodone 5-325 for adults is 1 or 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours as needed. The dose will depend on the severity of the pain. Pain relief is usually felt within an hour after taking Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen 5-325.
Acetaminophen-hydrocodone 5-325 is used for short- or long-term treatment. It comes with risks if you don’t take it exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
If you stop taking the drug or don’t take it at all: Your pain will continue and might get worse.
If you miss doses or don’t take the drug on schedule: Your medication may not work as well or may stop working completely. For this drug to work well, a certain amount needs to be in your body at all times.
What to do if you miss a dose: If you’re taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it’s almost time for your next scheduled dose.
Don’t use extra medicine to make up the missed dose. This could result in dangerous side effects.
How to tell if the drug is working: Your pain should decrease.
What are the symptoms of acetaminophen-hydrocodone 5-325 overdose?
Symptoms of an acetaminophen-hydrocodone 5-325 overdose include:
- Bluish-colored fingernails and lips
- Breathing problems, including slow and labored breathing, shallow breathing, or no breathing
- Cold, clammy skin
- Coma (decreased level of consciousness and lack of responsiveness)
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Lightheadedness
- Liver failure (from acetaminophen overdose), causing yellow skin and eyes (jaundice)
- Loss of consciousness
- Low blood pressure
- Muscle twitches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Tiny pupils
- Seizures
- Spasms of the stomach and intestines
- Weakness
- Weak pulse
In case of overdose, seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of acetaminophen and hydrocodone can be fatal.
Abuse and Dependence
Acetaminophen-hydrocodone 5-325 is classified as a Schedule III controlled substance. Psychic dependence, physical dependence, and tolerance may develop upon repeated administration of narcotics; therefore, this product should be prescribed and administered with caution. However, psychic dependence is unlikely to develop when Acetaminophen-hydrocodone 5-325 is used for a short time for the treatment of pain.
Physical dependence, the condition in which continued administration of the drug is required to prevent the appearance of a withdrawal syndrome, assumes clinically significant proportions only after several weeks of continued narcotic use, although some mild degree of physical dependence may develop after a few days of narcotic therapy. Tolerance, in which increasingly large doses are required in order to produce the same degree of analgesia, is manifested initially by a shortened duration of analgesic effect, and subsequently by decreases in the intensity of analgesia. The rate of development of tolerance varies among patients.
