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Proper Use
Take this medicine with food or a full glass (8 ounces) of water to lessen stomach irritation.
Do not take this medicine if it has a strong vinegar-like odor. This odor means the aspirin in it is breaking down. If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.
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 children and elderly patients, who are usually more sensitive to the effects of these medicines. 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. Also, taking too much aspirin may cause stomach problems or lead to medical problems because of an overdose.
If you think that this medicine is not working as well 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 medicines in this class 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 amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For aspirin, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine
- For oral dosage form (capsules):
- For pain:
- Adults—2 capsules every four hours as needed.
- Children—Dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For pain:
- For aspirin and codeine
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For pain:
- Adults—1 or 2 tablets every four hours as needed.
- Children—Dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For pain:
- For aspirin, codeine, and caffeine
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For pain:
- Adults—1 or 2 tablets every four hours as needed.
- Children—Dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For pain:
- For buffered aspirin, codeine, and caffeine
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For pain:
- Adults—1 or 2 tablets every four hours as needed.
- Children—Dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For pain:
- For hydrocodone and aspirin
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For pain:
- Adults—1 or 2 tablets every four to six hours as needed.
- Children—Dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For pain:
- For oxycodone and aspirin
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For pain:
- Adults—1 or 2 half-strength tablets, or 1 full-strength tablet, every four to six hours as needed.
- Children 12 years of age and older—One-half of a half-strength tablet every six hours as needed.
- Children 6 to 12 years of age—One-quarter of a half-strength tablet every six hours as needed.
- Children up to 6 years of age—Use is not recommended.
- For pain:
- For pentazocine and aspirin
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For pain:
- Adults—2 tablets three or four times a day as needed.
- Children—Dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For pain:
- For propoxyphene and aspirin
- For oral dosage form (capsules):
- For pain:
- Adults—1 capsule every four hours as needed.
- Children—Dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For pain:
- For propoxyphene, aspirin, and caffeine
- For oral dosage forms (capsules or tablets):
- For pain:
- Adults—1 capsule or tablet every four hours as needed.
- Children—Dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For pain:
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. 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
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
