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acetaminophen/hydrocodone

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Brand names: Vicodin, Norco, Lortab

Opioid Analgesic Combination Rx

This medicine contains acetaminophen and hydrocodone. It is used to relieve moderate to severe pain.

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What it does

This medicine can relieve minor aches and pains.

Common side effects

Nausea, Headache, Dizziness

Key warnings

This drug has a risk of serious side effects, including addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death.

How It Works

Acetaminophen relieves pain and reduces fever. Hydrocodone is an opioid pain reliever. It works in the brain to decrease pain signals.

How to Take It

Adults and children 12 years and over should take 2 gelcaps every 6 hours as needed. Do not take more than 6 gelcaps in 24 hours, unless your doctor tells you to. Do not take it for more than 10 days unless your doctor tells you to. Children under 12 years should ask a doctor.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

This medicine may harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not recommended to breastfeed while taking this medicine, as it can pass into breast milk and cause serious harm to a nursing infant.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.

Storage

Store at room temperature, about 77°F. Avoid high humidity.

Side Effects (from patient reports)

Based on 277,249 FDA adverse event reports.

Tiredness
34,486
Medicine not working
34,371
Using medicine for unapproved purpose
32,846
Feeling sick to your stomach
29,571
Head pain
28,378
Aches
28,322
Loose stool
23,628
Difficulty breathing
22,691
Joint pain
22,204
Throwing up
20,752

Serious Warnings

This drug has a risk of serious side effects, including addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death. Your breathing may become dangerously slow. Do not take more medicine than prescribed. Never give this medicine to anyone else, especially children.

Common Questions

Can I take more than 6 gelcaps in 24 hours?
No, do not take more than 6 gelcaps in 24 hours unless your doctor tells you to.
Can I take this medicine for more than 10 days?
No, do not take this medicine for more than 10 days unless your doctor tells you to.
Can children under 12 take this medicine?
Children under 12 years should ask a doctor before taking this medicine.
What should I do if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose.
How should I store this medicine?
Store at room temperature and avoid high humidity.
Can I drink alcohol while taking this medicine?
Talk to your doctor before drinking alcohol while taking this medicine.
Is this medicine safe during pregnancy?
This medicine may harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Can I breastfeed while taking this medicine?
It is not recommended to breastfeed while taking this medicine.
What are the most common side effects?
The most common side effects are nausea, headache, and dizziness.
What should I do if I experience serious side effects?
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience serious side effects.
What are the common side effects of acetaminophen/hydrocodone?
The most commonly reported side effects of acetaminophen/hydrocodone include Nausea, Headache, Dizziness. Based on 277,249 FDA adverse event reports. Always consult your healthcare provider about potential side effects.
What drug class is acetaminophen/hydrocodone?
acetaminophen/hydrocodone belongs to the Opioid Analgesic Combination drug class. It requires a prescription (Rx). This medicine can relieve minor aches and pains.
Is acetaminophen/hydrocodone safe during pregnancy?
This medicine may harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Always consult your healthcare provider before using any medication during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Related Medications in Opioid Analgesic Combination

Other drugs grouped near acetaminophen/hydrocodone — same-class peers and common alternatives.

abatacept

Orencia

Orencia is a medicine that helps to reduce inflammation.

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acetaminophen

Tylenol

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is a medicine that can relieve pain and reduce fever.

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acetaminophen/oxycodone

Percocet

Percocet is a strong pain medicine.

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adalimumab

Humira

Idacio is a medicine that blocks a protein called TNF.

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allopurinol

Zyloprim

Allopurinol is a medicine that lowers uric acid levels in your body.

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What the FDA Data Shows for acetaminophen/hydrocodone

The FDA label for acetaminophen/hydrocodone (sold under brand names such as Vicodin, Norco, Lortab) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Opioid Analgesic Combination class. This medicine can relieve minor aches and pains. Official labeling lists 3 commonly reported side effects, including Nausea, Headache, Dizziness.

Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 277,249 voluntary reports. Interaction data is drawn directly from FDA-approved prescribing information. Acquisition-cost data is surveyed weekly by CMS and updated as manufacturers report changes.

Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

Data Sources

Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).

FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.

Last updated: April 14, 2025

Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

All federal data sources used on this page