Description
Combination medicines containing narcotic analgesics (nar-KOT-ik an-al-JEE-zicks) and acetaminophen ( a-seat-a-MIN-oh-fen) are used to relieve pain. A narcotic analgesic and acetaminophen used together may provide better pain relief than either medicine used alone. In some cases, relief of pain may come at lower doses of each medicine.

Narcotic analgesics act in the central nervous system (CNS) to relieve pain. Many of their side effects are also caused by actions in the CNS. When narcotics are used for a long time, your body may get used to them so that larger amounts are needed to relieve pain. This is called tolerance to the medicine. Also, when narcotics are used for a long time or in large doses, they may become habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence). Physical dependence may lead to withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking the medicine.

Acetaminophen does not become habit-forming when taken for a long time or in large doses, but it may cause other unwanted effects, including liver damage, if too much is taken.

In the U.S., these medicines are available only with your medical doctor's or dentist's prescription. In Canada, some acetaminophen, codeine, and caffeine combinations are available without a prescription.

These medicines are available in the following dosage forms:

Oral
Acetaminophen and Codeine
Capsules (U.S.)
Oral solution (U.S. and Canada)
Oral suspension (U.S.)
Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
Acetaminophen, Codeine, and Caffeine
Tablets (Canada)
Dihydrocodeine, Acetaminophen, and Caffeine
Capsules (U.S.)
Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen
Capsules (U.S.)
Oral solution (U.S.)
Tablets (U.S.)
Oxycodone and Acetaminophen
Capsules (U.S.)
Oral solution (U.S.)
Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
Pentazocine and Acetaminophen
Tablets (U.S.)
Propoxyphene and Acetaminophen
Tablets (U.S.)

Proper Use of This Medicine
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 young children and elderly patients, who may be more sensitive than other people to the effects of narcotic analgesics. 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. Taking too much acetaminophen may cause liver damage.

If you think that this medicine is not working properly 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 of these medicines 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 number of capsules or tablets or teaspoonfuls of solution or suspension that you take depends on the strength of the medicine.

For acetaminophen and codeine
For oral capsule or tablet dosage form:
For pain:
Adults1 or 2 capsules or tablets containing acetaminophen with 15 or 30 milligrams (mg) of codeine, or 1 capsule or tablet containing acetaminophen with 60 mg of codeine, every four hours as needed.
ChildrenDose must be determined by the doctor, depending on the age of the child. Most young children will receive the oral solution or suspension, rather than tablets or capsules.
For oral solution or suspension dosage form:
For pain:
Adults1 tablespoonful (3 teaspoonfuls) every four hours as needed.
Children younger than 3 years of ageDose must be determined by your doctor.
Children 3 to 7 years of age1 teaspoonful three or four times a day as needed.
Children 7 to 12 years of age2 teaspoonfuls three or four times a day as needed.
For acetaminophen, codeine, and caffeine
For oral tablet dosage form:
For pain:
Adults1 or 2 tablets every four hours as needed.
ChildrenDose must be determined by your doctor.
For dihydrocodeine, acetaminophen, and caffeine
For oral capsule dosage form:
For pain:
Adults2 capsules every four hours.
ChildrenDose must be determined by your doctor.
For hydrocodone and acetaminophen
For oral capsule dosage form:
For pain:
Adults1 capsule every four to six hours as needed.
ChildrenDose must be determined by your doctor.
For oral solution dosage form:
For pain:
Adults1 to 3 teaspoonfuls every four to six hours as needed.
ChildrenDose must be determined by your doctor.
For oral tablet dosage form:
For pain:
Adults1 or 2 tablets containing acetaminophen with 2.5 milligrams (mg) of hydrocodone, or 1 tablet containing acetaminophen with 5, 7.5, or 10 mg of hydrocodone, every four to six hours as needed.
ChildrenDose must be determined by your doctor.
For oxycodone and acetaminophen
For oral capsule or tablet dosage form:
For pain:
Adults1 to 2 capsules or tablets every four to six hours as needed.
ChildrenDose must be determined by your doctor.
For oral solution dosage form:
For pain:
Adults1 teaspoonful every four to six hours as needed.
ChildrenDose must be determined by your doctor.
For pentazocine and acetaminophen
For oral tablet dosage form:
For pain:
Adults1 tablet every four hours.
ChildrenDose must be determined by your doctor.
For propoxyphene and acetaminophen
For oral tablet dosage form:
For pain:
Adults1 or 2 tablets, depending on the strength, every four hours as needed.
ChildrenDose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose - If your medical doctor or dentist has ordered you to take this medicine according to a regular schedule and you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. 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 - To store this medicine:

Keep out of the reach of children. Overdose is very dangerous in young children.
Store away from heat and direct light.
Do not store tablets or capsules in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
Keep the liquid forms of this medicine from freezing.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

[1] [2]