Narcotic Analgesics and Acetaminophen (Oral Route)

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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 (severe)
  • Convulsions (seizures)
  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness (severe)
  • Drowsiness (severe)
  • Increased sweating
  • Low blood pressure
  • Nausea or vomiting (continuing)
  • Nervousness or restlessness (severe)
  • Pinpoint pupils of eyes
  • Shortness of breath or unusually slow or troubled breathing
  • Slow heartbeat
  • Stomach cramps or pain
  • Weakness (severe)
  • If you are a nursing mother and you notice any of the following symptoms of overdose in your baby, get emergency help immediately:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Difficulty nursing
  • Increased sleepiness (more than usual)
  • Limpness

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common or rare
  • Black, tarry stools
  • Bloody or cloudy urine
  • Confusion
  • Dark urine
  • Difficult or painful urination
  • Fast, slow, or pounding heartbeat
  • Frequent urge to urinate
  • Hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there)
  • Increased sweating
  • Irregular breathing or wheezing
  • Mental depression
  • Pain in lower back and/or side (severe and/or sharp)
  • Pale stools
  • Pinpoint red spots on skin
  • Redness or flushing of face
  • Ringing or buzzing in ears
  • Skin rash, hives, or itching
  • Sore throat and fever
  • Sudden decrease in amount of urine
  • Swelling of face
  • Trembling or uncontrolled muscle movements
  • Unusual bleeding or bruising
  • Unusual excitement (especially in children)
  • Yellow eyes or skin

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
  • Unusual tiredness or weakness
Less common or rare
  • Blurred or double vision or other changes in vision
  • Constipation (more common with long-term use and with codeine or meperidine)
  • Dry mouth
  • False sense of well-being
  • General feeling of discomfort or illness
  • Headache
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nervousness or restlessness
  • Nightmares or unusual dreams
  • Trouble in sleeping

Although not all of the side effects listed above have been reported for all of these combination medicines, they have been reported for at least one of them. However, since all of the narcotic analgesics are very similar, any of the above side effects may occur with any of these medicines.

After you stop using this medicine, your body may need time to adjust. The length of time this takes depends on which of these medicines you were taking, the amount of medicine you were using, and how long you used it. During this 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
  • 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.

Precautions

DR602295

Portions of this document last updated:

Nov. 1, 2009

Source: Drug Information provided by: Micromedex

Copyright © 2009 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.


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