Brand Names

# For Canadian product only. In the U.S., Hycodan also contains homatropine; in Canada, Hycodan contains only hydrocodone.

** In Canada, methadone is available onlythrough doctors who have received special approval to prescribe it for treatingdrug addicts.

Category

• Analgesic--Anileridine; Buprenorphine; Butorphanol; Codeine; Hydrocodone; Hydromorphone; Levorphanol; Meperidine; Methadone; Morphine; Nalbuphine; Opium Injection; Oxycodone; Oxymorphone; Pentazocine; Propoxyphene
• Anesthesia adjunct--Anileridine; Buprenorphine
• Anesthesia adjunct, opioid analgesic--Butorphanol; Hydromorphone; Levorphanol; Meperidine; Morphine; Nalbuphine; Oxymorphone; Pentazocine
• Antidiarrheal--Codeine; Morphine
• Antitussive--Codeine; Hydrocodone; Hydromorphone; Methadone; Morphine
• Pulmonary edema therapy adjunct--Morphine
• Suppressant, narcotic abstinence syndrome--Methadone

Description

Narcotic (nar-KOT-ik) analgesics (an-al-JEE-zicks) are used to relieve pain. Some of these medicines are also used just before or during an operation to help the anesthetic work better. Codeine and hydrocodone are also used to relieve coughing. Methadone is also used to help some people control their dependence on heroin or other narcotics. Narcotic analgesics may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Narcotic analgesics act in the central nervous system (CNS) to relieve pain. Some of their side effects are also caused by actions in the CNS.

If a narcotic is used for a long time, it may become habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence). Physical dependence may lead to withdrawal side effects when you stop taking the medicine.

These medicines are available only with your medical doctor's or dentist's prescription. For some of them, prescriptions cannot be refilled and you must obtain a new prescription from your medical doctor or dentist each time you need the medicine. In addition, other rules and regulations may apply when methadone is used to treat narcotic dependence.

These medicines are available in the following dosage forms:

Oral
• Anileridine
  • Tablets (Canada)
• Codeine
  • Oral solution (U.S. and Canada)
  • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
• Hydrocodone
  • Syrup (Canada)
  • Tablets (Canada)
• Hydromorphone
  • Oral solution (U.S. and Canada)
  • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
• Levorphanol
  • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
• Meperidine
  • Syrup (U.S.)
  • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
• Methadone
  • Oral concentrate (U.S.)
  • Oral solution (U.S.)
  • Tablets (U.S.)
  • Dispersible tablets (U.S.)
• Morphine
  • Capsules (U.S.)
  • Extended-release capsules (U.S. and Canada)
  • Oral solution (U.S. and Canada)
  • Syrup (Canada)
  • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
  • Extended-release tablets (U.S. and Canada)
• Oxycodone
  • Oral solution (U.S.)
  • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
  • Extended-release tablets (U.S. and Canada)
• Pentazocine
  • Tablets (Canada)
• Pentazocine and Naloxone
  • Tablets (U.S.)
• Propoxyphene
  • Capsules (U.S. and Canada)
  • Oral suspension (U.S.)
  • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)

Parenteral
• Buprenorphine
  • Injection (U.S.)
• Butorphanol
  • Injection (U.S.)
• Codeine
  • Injection (U.S. and Canada)
• Hydromorphone
  • Injection (U.S. and Canada)
• Levorphanol
  • Injection (U.S. and Canada)
• Meperidine
  • Injection (U.S. and Canada)
• Methadone
  • Injection (U.S.)
• Morphine
  • Injection (U.S. and Canada)
• Nalbuphine
  • Injection (U.S. and Canada)
• Opium
  • Injection (Canada)
• Oxymorphone
  • Injection (U.S. and Canada)
• Pentazocine
  • Injection (U.S. and Canada)

Rectal
• Hydromorphone
  • Suppositories (U.S. and Canada)
• Morphine
  • Suppositories (U.S. and Canada)
• Oxycodone
  • Suppositories (Canada)
• Oxymorphone
  • Suppositories (U.S. and Canada)

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For narcotic analgesics, the following should be considered:

Allergies--Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to any of the narcotic analgesics. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy--Although studies on birth defects with narcotic analgesics have not been done in pregnant women, these medicines have not been reported to cause birth defects. However, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, and morphine caused birth defects in animals when given in very large doses. Buprenorphine and codeine did not cause birth defects in animal studies, but they caused other unwanted effects. Butorphanol, nalbuphine, pentazocine, and propoxyphene did not cause birth defects in animals. There is no information about whether other narcotic analgesics cause birth defects in animals.

Too much use of a narcotic during pregnancy may cause the baby to become dependent on the medicine. This may lead to withdrawal side effects after birth. Also, some of these medicines may cause breathing problems in the newborn infant if taken just before delivery.

Breast-feeding--Most narcotic analgesics have not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies. However, when the mother is taking large amounts of methadone (in a methadone maintenance program), the nursing baby may become dependent on the medicine. Also, butorphanol, codeine, meperidine, morphine, opium, and propoxyphene pass into the breast milk.

Children--Breathing problems may be especially likely to occur in children younger than 2 years of age. These children are usually more sensitive than adults to the effects of narcotic analgesics. Also, unusual excitement or restlessness may be more likely to occur in children receiving these medicines.

Older adults--Elderly people are especially sensitive to the effects of narcotic analgesics. This may increase the chance of side effects, especially breathing problems, during treatment.

Other medicines--Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking a narcotic analgesic, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

• Carbamazepine (e.g., Tegretol)--Propoxyphene may increase the blood levels of carbamazepine, which increases the chance of serious side effects

• Central nervous system (CNS) depressants or
• Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (furazolidone [e.g., Furoxone], isocarboxazid [e.g., Marplan], pargyline [e.g., Eutonyl], phenelzine [e.g., Nardil], procarbazine [e.g., Matulane], tranylcypromine [e.g., Parnate] (taken currently or within the past 2 weeks) or
• Tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline [e.g., Elavil], amoxapine [e.g., Asendin], clomipramine [e.g., Anafranil], desipramine [e.g., Pertofrane], doxepin [e.g., Sinequan], imipramine [e.g., Tofranil], nortriptyline [e.g., Aventyl], protriptyline [e.g., Vivactil], trimipramine [e.g., Surmontil])--The chance of side effects may be increased; the combination of meperidine (e.g., Demerol) and MAO inhibitors is especially dangerous

• Naltrexone (e.g., Trexan)--Narcotics will not be effective in people taking naltrexone

• Rifampin (e.g., Rifadin)--Rifampin decreases the effects of methadone and may cause withdrawal symptoms in people who are dependent on methadone

• Zidovudine (e.g., AZT, Retrovir)--Morphine may increase the blood levels of zidovudine and increase the chance of serious side effects

Other medical problems--The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of narcotic analgesics. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Alcohol abuse, or history of, or
• Drug dependence, especially narcotic abuse, or history of, or
• Emotional problems--The chance of side effects may be increased; also, withdrawal symptoms may occur if a narcotic you are dependent on is replaced by buprenorphine, butorphanol, nalbuphine, or pentazocine

• Brain disease or head injury or
• Emphysema, asthma, or other chronic lung disease or
• Enlarged prostate or problems with urination or
• Gallbladder disease or gallstones--Some of the side effects of narcotic analgesics can be dangerous if these conditions are present

• Colitis or
• Heart disease or
• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease or
• Underactive thyroid--The chance of side effects may be increased

• Convulsions (seizures), history of--Some of the narcotic analgesics can cause convulsions

Proper Use of This Medicine

Some narcotic analgesics given by injection may be given at home to patients who do not need to be in the hospital. If you are using an injection form of this medicine at home, make sure you clearly understand and carefully follow your doctor's instructions .

To take the syrup form of meperidine :

• Unless otherwise directed by your medical doctor or dentist, take this medicine mixed with a half glass (4 ounces) of water to lessen the numbing effect of the medicine on your mouth and throat.

To take the oral liquid forms of methadone :

• This medicine may have to be mixed with water or another liquid before you take it . Read the label carefully for directions. If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.

To take the dispersible tablet form of methadone :

• These tablets must be stirred into water or fruit juice just before each dose is taken. Read the label carefully for directions . If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.

To take oral liquid forms of morphine :

• This medicine may be mixed with a glass of fruit juice just before you take it, if desired, to improve the taste.

To take long-acting morphine tablets :

• These tablets must be swallowed whole . Do not break, crush, or chew them before swallowing.

To use suppositories :

• If the suppository is too soft to insert, chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or run cold water over it before removing the foil wrapper.
• To insert the suppository: First remove the foil wrapper and moisten the suppository with cold water. Lie down on your side and use your finger to push the suppository well up into the rectum.

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 are especially sensitive to the effects of narcotic analgesics. If too much is taken, the medicine may become habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence) or lead to medical problems because of an overdose.

If you think 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 doctor.

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 oral solution or syrup that you take, or the amount of injection that you are directed to use, 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 narcotic you are taking, whether or not you are taking a long-acting form of the medicine, and the reason you are taking the medicine .

For anileridine
• For oral dosage form:
  • For pain
    • Adults and teenagers--25 to 50 milligrams (mg) every 6 hours as needed.
    • Children up to 13 years of age--Dose must be determined by your doctor.

For buprenorphine
• For injection dosage form:
  • For pain:
    • Adults and teenagers--0.3 milligrams (mg), injected into a muscle or a vein every six hours as needed.
    • Children up to 2 years of age--Dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • Children 2 to 12 years of age--0.002 to 0.006 mg per kilogram (kg) (0.0008 to 0.0024 mg per pound) of body weight, injected into a muscle or a vein every four to six hours as needed.

For butorphanol
• For injection dosage form:
  • For pain:
    • Adults--1 to 4 milligrams (mg) (usually 2 mg), injected into a muscle every three or four hours as needed. Some people may receive 0.5 to 2 mg (usually 1 mg) injected into a vein every three or four hours as needed.
    • Children and teenagers--Dose must be determined by your doctor.

For codeine
• For oral dosage forms (oral solution or tablets):
  • For pain:
    • Adults--15 to 60 milligrams (mg) (usually 30 mg) every three to six hours as needed.
    • Children--0.5 mg per kilogram (kg) (0.2 mg per pound) of body weight every four to six hours as needed. Young children will probably take the oral solution, rather than tablets. Small doses may need to be measured by a special dropper instead of a teaspoon.
  • For cough:
    • Adults--10 to 20 mg every four to six hours.
    • Children up to 2 years of age--Use is not recommended.
    • Children 2 years of age--3 mg every four to six hours, up to a maximum of 12 mg a day. Children this young will probably take the oral solution, rather than tablets. Small doses may need to be measured by a special dropper instead of a teaspoon.
    • Children 3 years of age--3.5 mg every four to six hours, up to a maximum of 14 mg a day. Children this young will probably take the oral solution, rather than tablets. Small doses may need to be measured by a special dropper instead of a teaspoon.
    • Children 4 years of age--4 mg every four to six hours, up to a maximum of 16 mg a day. Children this young will probably take the oral solution, rather than tablets. Small doses may need to be measured by a special dropper instead of a teaspoon.
    • Children 5 years of age--4.5 mg every four to six hours, up to a maximum of 18 mg a day. Children this young will probably take the oral solution, rather than tablets. Small doses may need to be measured by a special dropper instead of a teaspoon.
    • Children 6 to 12 years of age--5 to 10 mg every four to six hours, up to a maximum of 60 mg a day.
• For injection dosage form:
  • For pain:
    • Adults--15 to 60 mg (usually 30 mg), injected into a muscle or a vein or under the skin every four to six hours as needed.
    • Children--0.5 mg per kg (0.2 mg per pound) of body weight, injected into a muscle or under the skin every four to six hours as needed.

For hydrocodone
• For oral dosage form (syrup or tablets):
  • For pain:
    • Adults--5 to 10 milligrams (mg) every four to six hours as needed.
    • Children--0.15 mg per kilogram (kg) (0.06 mg per pound) of body weight every six hours as needed.
  • For cough:
    • Adults--5 mg every four to six hours as needed.
    • Children--Dose must be determined by your doctor.

For hydromorphone
• For oral dosage form (oral solution or tablets):
  • For pain:
    • Adults--2 or 2.5 milligrams (mg) every three to six hours as needed.
    • Children--Dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For injection dosage form:
  • For pain:
    • Adults--1 or 2 mg, injected into a muscle or under the skin every three to six hours as needed. Some people may receive 0.5 mg, injected slowly into a vein every three hours as needed.
    • Children--Dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For rectal suppository dosage form:
  • For pain:
    • Adults--3 mg every four to eight hours as needed.
    • Children--Dose must be determined by your doctor.

For levorphanol
• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • For pain:
    • Adults--2 milligrams (mg). Some people with severe pain may need 3 or 4 mg.
    • Children--Dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For injection dosage form:
  • For pain:
    • Adults--2 mg, injected under the skin or into a vein. Some people may need 3 mg.
    • Children--Dose must be determined by your doctor.

For meperidine
• For oral dosage form (syrup or tablets):
  • For pain:
    • Adults--50 to 150 milligrams (mg) (usually 100 mg) every three or four hours as needed.
    • Children--1.1 to 1.76 mg per kilogram (kg) (0.44 to 0.8 mg per pound) of body weight, up to a maximum of 100 mg, every three or four hours as needed. Young children will probably take the syrup, rather than tablets. Small doses may need to be measured by a special dropper instead of a teaspoon.
• For injection dosage form:
  • For pain:
    • Adults--50 to 150 milligrams (mg) (usually 100 mg), injected into a muscle or under the skin every three or four hours as needed. The medicine may also be injected continuously into a vein at a rate of 15 to 35 mg an hour.
    • Children--1.1 to 1.76 mg per kg (0.44 to 0.8 mg per pound) of body weight, up to a maximum of 100 mg, injected into a muscle or under the skin every three or four hours as needed.

For methadone
• For oral solution dosage form:
  • For pain:
    • Adults--5 to 20 mg every four to eight hours.
    • Children--Dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For narcotic addiction:
    • Adults 18 years of age or older--
      • For detoxification: At first, 15 to 40 mg once a day. Your doctor will gradually decrease the dose you take every day until you do not need the medicine any more.
      • For maintenance: Dose must be determined by the needs of the individual patient, up to a maximum of 120 mg a day.
    • Children up to 18 years of age--Special conditions must be met before methadone can be used for narcotic addiction in patients younger than 18 years of age. Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For oral tablet dosage form:
  • For pain:
    • Adults--2.5 to 10 mg every three or four hours as needed.
    • Children--Dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For narcotic addiction:
    • Adults 18 years of age or older--
      • For detoxification: At first, 15 to 40 mg once a day. Your doctor will gradually decrease the dose you take every day until you do not need the medicine any more.
      • For maintenance: Dose must be determined by the needs of the individual patient, up to a maximum of 120 mg a day.
    • Children up to 18 years of age--Special conditions must be met before methadone can be used for narcotic addiction in patients younger than 18 years of age. Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For injection dosage form:
  • For pain:
    • Adults--2.5 to 10 mg, injected into a muscle or under the skin, every three or four hours as needed.
    • Children--Dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For narcotic addiction:
    • Adults 18 years of age and older--For detoxification only, in patients unable to take medicine by mouth: At first, 15 to 40 mg a day. Your doctor will gradually decrease the dose you receive every day until you do not need the medicine any more.
    • Children younger than 18 years of age--Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

For morphine
• For short-acting oral dosage forms (capsules, oral solution, syrup, or tablets):
  • For severe, chronic pain (severe pain that lasts a long time):
    • Adults--At first, 10 to 30 milligrams (mg) every four hours. Your doctor will then adjust the dose according to your individual needs. If you have already been taking other narcotics to relieve severe, chronic pain, your starting dose will depend on the amount of other narcotic you were taking every day.
    • Children--Dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For long-acting oral dosage forms (extended-release capsules or tablets):
  • For severe, chronic pain (severe pain that lasts a long time):
    • Adults--Long-acting forms of morphine are usually used for patients who have already been receiving narcotics to relieve pain. The starting dose will depend on the amount of narcotic you have been receiving every day. Your doctor will then adjust the dose according to your individual needs. To be helpful, these medicines need to be taken two times a day at regularly scheduled times. Some people may need to take a short-acting form of morphine if breakthrough pain occurs between doses of the long-acting medicine.
    • Children--Dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For injection dosage form:
  • For pain:
    • Adults--5 to 20 mg (usually 10 mg), injected into a muscle or under the skin every four hours as needed. Some people may receive 4 to 10 mg, injected slowly into a vein. Morphine may also be injected continuously into a vein or under the skin at a rate that depends on the needs of the patient. This medicine may also be injected into the spinal area. The dose will depend on where and how the medicine is injected into the spinal area and on the needs of the patient.
    • Children--0.1 to 0.2 mg per kg (0.04 or 0.09 mg per pound) of body weight, up to a maximum of 15 mg, injected under the skin every four hours as needed. Some patients may receive 0.05 to 0.1 mg per kg (0.02 to 0.04 mg per pound) of body weight, injected slowly into a vein.
• For rectal suppository dosage form:
  • For pain:
    • Adults--10 to 30 mg every four to six hours as needed.
    • Children--Dose must be determined by your doctor.

For nalbuphine
• For injection dosage form:
  • For pain:
    • Adults--10 milligrams (mg) every three to six hours as needed, injected into a muscle or a vein or under the skin.
    • Children--Dose must be determined by your doctor.

For opium
• For injection dosage form:
  • For pain:
    • Adults--5 to 20 milligrams (mg), injected into a muscle or under the skin every four to five hours as needed.
    • Children--Dose must be determined by your doctor.

For oxycodone
• For oral dosage form (oral solution or tablets):
  • For pain:
    • Adults--5 milligrams (mg) every three to six hours or 10 mg three or four times a day as needed.
    • Children--Dose must be determined by your doctor. Children up to 6 years of age will probably take the oral solution, rather than tablets. Small doses may need to be measured by a special dropper instead of a teaspoon.
• For long-acting oral dosage form (extended-release tablets):
  • For pain:
    • Adults--Your doctor will determine the dose according to your individual needs. To be helpful, these medicines need to be taken two times a day at regularly scheduled times.
    • Children--Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For rectal suppository dosage form:
  • For pain:
    • Adults--10 to 40 mg three or four times a day.
    • Children--Dose must be determined by your doctor.

For oxymorphone
• For injection dosage form:
  • For pain:
    • Adults--1 to 1.5 milligrams (mg), injected into a muscle or under the skin every three to six hours as needed. Some patients may receive 0.5 mg, injected into a vein.
    • Children--Dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For rectal suppository dosage form:
  • For pain:
    • Adults--5 mg every four to six hours as needed.
    • Children--Dose must be determined by your doctor.

For pentazocine
• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • For pain:
    • Adults--50 mg every three to four hours as needed. Some patients may need 100 mg every three to four hours. The usual maximum dose is 600 mg a day.
    • Children--Dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For injection dosage form:
  • For pain:
    • Adults--30 mg, injected into a muscle or a vein or under the skin every three to four hours as needed.
    • Children--Dose must be determined by your doctor.

For propoxyphene
• For oral dosage form (capsules, oral suspension, or tablets):
  • For pain:
    • Adults--Propoxyphene comes in two different forms, propoxyphene hydrochloride and propoxyphene napsylate. 100 mg of propoxyphene napsylate provides the same amount of pain relief as 65 mg of propoxyphene hydrochloride. The dose of propoxyphene hydrochloride is 65 milligrams (mg) every four hours as needed, up to a maximum of 390 mg a day. The dose of propoxyphene napsylate is 100 mg every four hours as needed, up to a maximum of 600 mg a day.
    • Children--Dose 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.
• Store hydromorphone, oxycodone, or oxymorphone suppositories in the refrigerator.
• Keep liquid (including injections) and suppository forms of the 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.

Precautions While Using This Medicine

If you will be taking this medicine for a long time (for example, for several months at a time), your doctor should check your progress at regular visits.

Narcotic analgesics will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that slow down the nervous system, possibly causing drowsiness). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, other allergies, or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine; other prescription pain medicines including other narcotics; barbiturates; medicine for seizures; muscle relaxants; or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Do not drink alcoholic beverages, and check with your medical doctor or dentist before taking any of the medicines listed above, while you are using this medicine .

This medicine may cause some people to become drowsy, dizzy, or lightheaded, or to feel a false sense of well-being. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert and clearheaded .

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur, especially when you get up suddenly from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help lessen this problem.

Nausea or vomiting may occur, especially after the first couple of doses. This effect may go away if you lie down for a while. However, if nausea or vomiting continues, check with your medical doctor or dentist. Lying down for a while may also help relieve some other side effects, such as dizziness or lightheadedness, that may occur.

Before having any kind of surgery (including dental surgery) or emergency treatment, tell the medical doctor or dentist in charge that you are taking this medicine.

Narcotic analgesics may cause dryness of the mouth. For temporary relief, use sugarless candy or gum, melt bits of ice in your mouth, or use a saliva substitute. However, if dry mouth continues for more than 2 weeks, check with your dentist. Continuing dryness of the mouth may increase the chance of dental disease, including tooth decay, gum disease, and fungus infections.

If you have been taking this medicine regularly for several weeks or more, do not suddenly stop using it without first checking with your doctor . Your doctor may want you to reduce gradually the amount you are taking before stopping completely, in order to lessen the chance of withdrawal side effects.

If you think you or someone else may have taken an overdose, get emergency help at once . Taking an overdose of this medicine or taking alcohol or CNS depressants with this medicine may lead to unconsciousness or death. Signs of overdose include convulsions (seizures), confusion, severe nervousness or restlessness, severe dizziness, severe drowsiness, slow or troubled breathing, and severe weakness.

Side Effects of This Medicine

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; convulsions (seizures); dizziness (severe); drowsiness (severe); low blood pressure; nervousness or restlessness (severe); pinpoint pupils of eyes; slow heartbeat; slow or troubled breathing; weakness (severe)

Also, check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common or rare

Dark urine (for propoxyphene only); fast, slow, or pounding heartbeat; feelings of unreality; hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there); hives, itching, or skin rash; increased sweating (more common with hydrocodone, meperidine, and methadone); irregular breathing; mental depression or other mood or mental changes; pale stools (for propoxyphene only); redness or flushing of face (more common with hydrocodone, meperidine, and methadone); ringing or buzzing in the ears; shortness of breath, wheezing, or troubled breathing; swelling of face; trembling or uncontrolled muscle movements; unusual excitement or restlessness (especially in children); yellow eyes or skin (for propoxyphene only)

Other 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. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

More common

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling faint; drowsiness; nausea or vomiting

Less common or rare

Blurred or double vision or other changes in vision; constipation (more common with long-term use and with codeine); decrease in amount of urine; difficult or painful urination; dry mouth; false sense of well-being; frequent urge to urinate; general feeling of discomfort or illness; headache; loss of appetite; nervousness or restlessness; nightmares or unusual dreams; redness, swelling, pain, or burning at place of injection; stomach cramps or pain; trouble in sleeping; unusual tiredness or weakness

After you stop using this medicine, your body may need time to adjust. The length of time this takes depends on the amount of medicine you were using and how long you used it. During this period of 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; unusually large pupils of eyes; weakness

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

Revised: 05/05/00
Interim revision: 03/11/99

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