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Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
- Cold, clammy skin
- Confusion
- Convulsions (seizures)
- Dizziness (severe)
- Drowsiness (severe)
- Low blood pressure
- Nervousness or restlessness (severe)
- Pinpoint pupils of eyes
- Slow heartbeat
- Slow or troubled breathing
- Weakness (severe)
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty nursing
- Increased sleepiness (more than usual)
- Limpness
If you are a nursing mother and you notice any of the following symptoms of overdose in your baby, get emergency help immediately:
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common or rare- Dark urine (for propoxyphene only)
- Fast, slow, or pounding heartbeat
- Feelings of unreality
- Hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there)
- Hives, itching, or skin rash
- Increased sweating (more common with hydrocodone, meperidine, and methadone)
- Irregular breathing
- Mental depression or other mood or mental changes
- Pale stools (for propoxyphene only)
- Redness or flushing of face (more common with hydrocodone, meperidine, and methadone)
- Ringing or buzzing in the ears
- Shortness of breath, wheezing, or troubled breathing
- Swelling of face
- Trembling or uncontrolled muscle movements
- Unusual excitement or restlessness (especially in children)
- Yellow eyes or skin (for propoxyphene only)
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common- Dizziness, light-headedness, or feeling faint
- Drowsiness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Blurred or double vision or other changes in vision
- Constipation (more common with long-term use and with codeine)
- Decrease in amount of urine
- Difficult or painful urination
- Dry mouth
- False sense of well-being
- Frequent urge to urinate
- General feeling of discomfort or illness
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
- Nervousness or restlessness
- Nightmares or unusual dreams
- Redness, swelling, pain, or burning at place of injection
- Stomach cramps or pain
- Trouble in sleeping
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
After you stop using this medicine, your body may need time to adjust. The length of time this takes depends on the amount of medicine you were using and how long you used it. During this period of time check with your doctor if you notice any of the following side effects:
- Body aches
- Diarrhea
- Fast heartbeat
- Fever, runny nose, or sneezing
- Gooseflesh
- Increased sweating
- Increased yawning
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea or vomiting
- Nervousness, restlessness, or irritability
- Shivering or trembling
- Stomach cramps
- Trouble in sleeping
- Unusually large pupils of eyes
- Weakness
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
