Lortab

Lortab is a medication that is licensed for treating moderate to moderately severe pain. It is available by prescription and comes in the form of tablets and an elixir. Lortab is a combination of two pain relievers: hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen. The medication is classified as a controlled substance, meaning it has the potential to be abused. Possible side effects include dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.

 

What Is Lortab?

Lortab® (hydrocodone/APAP) is a prescription pain medication. It is approved to treat moderate to moderately severe pain. As a narcotic, the medication is classified as a controlled substance, which means that special regulations and laws control its sale and use.
 
(Click Lortab Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes It?

All Lortab products are marketed by UCB Pharma, Inc. Lortab 5/500 and 10/500 are made by Mallinckrodt, while Lortab 2.5/500, 7.5/500, and Lortab Elixir are made by Mikart, Inc.
 

How Does Lortab Work?

Lortab contains two different pain medicines: hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen. Hydrocodone is a semi-synthetic narcotic opioid pain reliever. It acts similarly to codeine. Hydrocodone is effective at relieving pain and decreasing coughing, but also causes mood changes, drowsiness, and mental "clouding." In the United States, hydrocodone is only available in combination with other medications; it is not available alone.
 
Acetaminophen (commonly known as "APAP") is a pain reliever and fever reducer commonly found in non-prescription medications such as Tylenol®. APAP is an acronym for one of the chemical names for acetaminophen. Combining hydrocodone with acetaminophen helps improve the effectiveness of Lortab for relieving pain and may limit the abuse potential of hydrocodone, as the maximum dose of Lortab is usually limited by the acetaminophen content.
 

What Is the Potential for Abuse?

Lortab products (as well as other hydrocodone/APAP products) are commonly abused drugs. They are readily available and inexpensive, especially in generic form. However, it is important to distinguish between true abuse of the drug and a normal, predictable physical dependence on the drug. Healthcare providers can have difficulty distinguishing behaviors associated with inadequate pain control from drug-seeking behaviors associated with abuse. Because Lortab is a highly desired drug of abuse, people often obtain it through illegal means, such as from foreign countries or online sources that do not require a prescription. People who abuse this medication and suddenly stop using it are likely to experience withdrawal symptoms.
 
For more information, visit the following eMedTV articles:
 

When and How to Take Lortab

General considerations for when and how to take Lortab include the following:
 
  • The medication comes in tablet and elixir form. It is taken by mouth, typically every four to six hours as needed for pain.
     
  • It is best to take your dosage with food, as this may help reduce stomach upset. Most opioids, including the one in Lortab, cause stomach upset.
     
  • Be careful not to exceed the maximum recommended daily dose, as this could lead to overdose symptoms or poisoning from the acetaminophen component, which can cause liver failure.
     
  • Lortab is either taken "as needed" or on a scheduled basis. "As needed" means you will only take a dose if you are experiencing pain (if you are not in pain, you will skip the dose), while "scheduled use" means you should take it on schedule, even if you are not in pain. Most healthcare providers prescribe this drug on an "as needed" basis, rather than a scheduled basis.
     
  • For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Do not increase your dose without your healthcare provider's approval. Do not suddenly stop taking Lortab, especially if you have taken it regularly for more than several weeks (see Lortab Withdrawal).
     

Dosing Information

The dose of Lortab your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • How you respond to the drug
  • Your weight (for children)
  • Other medications you are taking
  • Other medical conditions you may have.
     
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 
(Click Lortab Dosage for more information.)
 

Side Effects of Lortab

As with any medicine, Lortab can cause side effects. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. Most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
 
Common side effects include but are not limited to:
 
(Click Lortab Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
 

Drug Interactions

Lortab can potentially interact with several other medicines (see Lortab Drug Interactions).
 

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking Lortab if you have:
 
  • Liver disease, such as cirrhosis, liver failure, or hepatitis
  • Kidney disease, such as kidney failure (renal failure)
  • A head injury or high intracranial pressure
  • Severe abdominal (stomach) pain
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Addison's disease
  • An enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hypertrophy, or BPH)
  • Lung disease of any sort
  • A history of drug or alcohol dependence
  • Any allergies, including allergies to foods, dyes, or preservatives.
     
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
 
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other medications you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 
(Click Lortab Warnings and Precautions to learn more, including information on who should not take the drug.)
 

What If I Take an Overdose?

People who take too much Lortab may have overdose symptoms that could include:
 
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Extreme drowsiness, leading to coma
  • Cold, clammy skin
  • Slow heart rate (bradycardia)
  • Low blood pressure (hypotension)
  • Cardiac arrest
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Sweating
  • Liver failure
  • Death.
     
If you happen to take too much, seek immediate medical attention.
 
(Click Lortab Overdose for more information.)
 

How Should Lortab Be Stored?

Lortab tablets should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep this and all other medications out of the reach of children. Because this is a highly desired drug of abuse, make sure to keep it in a safe place.
 

What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?

Lortab is often prescribed "as needed," which means you do not need to take a dose if you do not feel pain. If you forget to take a dose and notice significant pain, take your missed dose right away. However, make sure to wait the recommended time before the next dose.
 

Available Strengths

Lortab tablets are available in the following strengths:
 
  • Lortab 2.5/500 -- 2.5 mg of hydrocodone bitartrate and 500 mg of acetaminophen
  • Lortab 5/500 -- 5 mg of hydrocodone bitartrate and 500 mg of acetaminophen
  • Lortab 7.5/500 -- 7.5 mg of hydrocodone bitartrate and 500 mg of acetaminophen
  • Lortab 10/500 -- 10 mg of hydrocodone bitartrate and 500 mg of acetaminophen.
     
Lortab Elixir is available in one strength: Lortab 7.5/500 Elixir -- 7.5 of hydrocodone bitartrate and 500 mg of acetaminophen per tablespoonful.
     

Generic Lortab

Several different generic versions of Lortab are available (see Generic Lortab).
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;