Hydrocodone-ibuprofen Oral Tablet

Hydrocodone bitartrate/ibuprofen is an oral medication that’s generally used short term for moderate to severe pain.

This medication is a combination of two drugs that both work to decrease pain.

Hydrocodone bitartrate has a high potential for abuse and can be habit forming. Don’t take more than prescribed by your doctor.

Side effects include sleepiness and dizziness. The drug can also slow you down both mentally and physically. Don’t perform any hazardous tasks while taking this medication until you know how it affects you.

Ibuprofen may increase your risk for potentially fatal heart or stomach problems. Tell your doctor if you have heart problems or a history of stomach issues, including ulcers and stomach bleeding.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• FDA warning See Details

• Alcohol warning See Details

What is hydrocodone-ibuprofen?

This drug is a prescription drug and a controlled substance. It’s available in oral tablet form. 

It’s also available in a generic version. Generic drugs usually cost less. In some cases they may not be available in every strength or form as the brand. Talk to your healthcare provider to see if the generic will work for you. 

This is a combination of two drugs in a single form. It’s important to know about all the drugs in the combination because they each may have unique traits.

Why it's used

This drug is used for short-term pain relief. It’s generally used for fewer than 10 days.

How it works

This drug is a combination of two pain medications.

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Most Common Side Effects

The most common side effects that occur with hydrocodone bitartrate/ibuprofen include:

• headache

• sleepiness or drowsiness

• dizziness

• constipation

• upset stomach

• nausea

Serious Side Effects

If you experience any of these serious side effects, call your doctor right away. If your symptoms are potentially life threatening or if you think you’re experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.

• skin problems. Signs and symptoms may include:

  • rash
  • hives
  • skin that’s itching, red, swollen, blistered, or peeling

• allergic reaction. Signs and symptoms may include:

  • tightness in your chest
  • trouble breathing
  • swelling of your face, lips, tongue, mouth, or throat

• heart problems:

  • heart attack. Signs and symptoms may include:
    • chest pain
    • shortness of breath
  • stroke. Signs and symptoms may include:
    • slurred speech
    • weakness on one side of your body
  • heart failure. Signs and symptoms may include:
    • unexplained weight gain
    • swelling in your legs, feet, hands, and arms

• stomach problems, including ulcers and bleeding in your stomach and intestines. These conditions can be deadly. Signs and symptoms may include:

  • very bad upset stomach
  • pain in your upper stomach
  • bloody vomit
  • sticky black stools

• liver problems. Signs and symptoms may include:

  • tiredness
  • yellowing of your skin or whites of your eyes
  • nausea
  • itching
  • pain in your upper right stomach
  • fatigue

• vision problems. Signs and symptoms may include:

  • blurry eyes
  • other eye problems

• adrenal insufficiency. Symptoms can include:

  • long-lasting tiredness
  • muscle weakness
  • pain in your abdomen

• androgen deficiency. Symptoms can include:

  • tiredness
  • trouble sleeping
  • decreased energy

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history.

Hydrocodone bitartrate/ibuprofen can interact with other medications, herbs, or vitamins you might be taking. That’s why your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. If you’re curious about how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: You can reduce your chances of drug interactions by having all of your prescriptions filled at the same pharmacy. That way, a pharmacist can check for possible drug interactions.

Alcohol Interaction

Using alcohol while taking this drug can be very dangerous. Combining the two can cause severe sedation. You may experience slowed reflexes, poor judgment, and sleepiness.

It’s strongly recommended to avoid drinking alcohol when using hydrocodone bitartrate/ibuprofen.

Medications That Might Interact with This Drug

Benzodiazepines

These include:

• ACE inhibitors
• diuretics

Hydrocodone bitartrate/ibuprofen may cause these medications not to work as well.

Blood pressure drugs

These include:

• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI):
  • selegiline
  • phenelzine
  • moclobemide
• tricyclic antidepressants:
  • amitriptyline
  • nortriptyline

Combining hydrocodone bitartrate/ibuprofen with these drugs may increase the effect of either the antidepressant or hydrocodone. This could cause sleepiness, dizziness, or light-headedness.

There have been cases when using an MAOI and opioid (hydrocodone) together caused anxiety, confusion, stopped breathing, or even coma. Don’t combine this medication with MAOIs or within 14 days of stopping a MAOI.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

• lithium

Combining these drugs may cause lithium levels in your body to increase to toxic levels. This may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, or confusion.

Bipolar disorder drug

• methotrexate

Combining these drugs may cause methotrexate levels in your body to increase to toxic levels. This could cause vomiting, diarrhea, fever, chills, or serious infections. 

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)

• warfarin

Taking these drugs together may increase your risk for side effects, such as bleeding in your stomach and intestines.

Anticoagulant, blood thinner

You’re at an increased risk of sleepiness, dizziness, confusion, or slowed or stopped breathing if you take this medication with:

• other opioids
• antihistamines (for allergies)
• antipsychotics (for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or depression)
• benzodiazepines (for anxiety, sleep) 

Drugs that cause drowsiness

These include:

• diazepam
• alprazolam
• clonazepam
• lorazepam

Combining hydrocodone bitartrate/ibuprofen with these drugs may cause increased breathing problems, low blood pressure, extreme drowsiness, coma, or death. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose for you.

Serotonergic drugs

These drugs include:

• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine and sertraline
• serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) duloxetine and venlafaxine
• tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) such as amitriptyline and clomipramine
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as selegiline and phenelzine

Taking these drugs with hydrocodone bitartrate/ibuprofen may cause serotonin syndrome, which can be fatal. Symptoms can include agitation, sweating, muscle twitches, and confusion.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking. Drug warnings

People with heart problems

This medication can make existing heart conditions worse. Examples are high blood pressure and heart failure. If you have severe heart failure, do not take this drug.

People with stomach problems

This medication increases your risk of stomach bleeding, ulcers, and small holes in your stomach or intestines if you have a history of these problems. These conditions can be fatal.

People with head injury

This drug can increase the pressure in the area surrounding your brain if you currently have a head injury. It can also make it difficult for doctors to diagnose or find the cause of the problem.

People with kidney problems

If you have kidney problems, using this drug long term may damage your kidneys even more.

People with asthma

If you have asthma, this medication may cause narrowing of your airways, which can be fatal. If you have asthma and have had difficulties breathing while taking aspirin or other NSAIDs, don’t take this medication at all.

People with history of drug abuse

Avoid taking this drug if you have a history of drug abuse. This medication is highly addictive.

Pregnant women

This drug is a category C pregnancy drug. That means two things:

1. Research in animals has shown adverse effects to the fetus when the mother takes the drug.
2. There haven’t been enough studies done in humans to be certain how the drug might affect the fetus.

Some infants born to mothers who were taking opioids like hydrocodone bitartrate regularly during pregnancy have shown an increased risk of drug dependence. These babies showed withdrawal symptoms, such as excessive crying and irritability, tremors, extremely fast breathing, vomiting, and fever.

Also, some infants born to mothers taking NSAIDs like ibuprofen during pregnancy have had problems. In these pregnancies, the blood vessel that supplies nutrients and oxygen from the mother to the fetus closed too early.

Tell your doctor if you’re pregnant or plan to become pregnant. This medication should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Women who are breast-feeding

Hydrocodone passes through breast milk. It isn’t known if this could harm a breastfeeding baby.

You and your doctor may decide whether you’ll take this medication or breastfeed.

For seniors

If you’re aged 65 years or older, your liver and kidneys may not work as well. This may cause you to experience more side effects from this medication. Your doctor may prescribe this medication with extra caution and at lower doses.

For children

It isn’t known if this medication is safe and effective in children younger than 16 years old.

When to call the doctor

Tell your doctor if your pain doesn’t get better or if it gets worse.

Let your doctor know before starting any new medications. These include new prescription or over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or supplements.

Allergies

This drug can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms may include:

• trouble breathing
• swelling of your throat or tongue
• hives

Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it, other similar opioids, or other NSAIDs. Taking it a second time could be fatal.

All possible dosages and forms may not be included here. Your dose, form, and how often you take it will depend on:

• your age
• the condition being treated
• how severe your condition is
• other medical conditions you have
• how you react to the first dose

What are you taking this medication for?

Short-term pain

Brand: Vicoprofen

Form: Oral tablet Strengths: 7.5 mg hydrocodone/200 mg ibuprofen Adult dosage (ages 18 years and older)

• The dose is one tablet taken every 4–6 hours as needed.
• Don’t take more than 5 tablets in a 24-hour period.

Child dosage (ages 16–17 years)

• The dose is one tablet taken every 4–6 hours as needed.
• Don’t take more than 5 tablets in a 24-hour period.

Child dosage (ages 0–5 years)

• A safe and effective dosage hasn’t been determined for this age group.

Special considerations

Seniors: If you’re 65 years or older, your doctor may prescribe this medication with extra caution and at lower doses. Your doctor may monitor your liver and kidneys while you take it to make sure it’s safe for you.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always to speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you. Important considerations for taking this drug

Taking with food isn’t necessary

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You can cut or crush the oral tablet

Store in temperatures from 59–86°F (15–30°C)

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Prescription is not refillable

Travel

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Clinical monitoring

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Not every pharmacy stocks this drug, so call ahead

Insurance

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Are There Any Alternatives?