Nalocet

Nalocet is a combination medicine used to help relieve moderate to severe pain.

Nalocet contains an opioid medicine and may be habit-forming.

Nalocet may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Never take this medicine in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. An overdose can damage your liver or cause death. Tell your doctor if you feel a stronger urge to use more of this medicine.

Never share opioid medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. MISUSE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medicine in a place where others cannot access it. Selling or giving away opioid medicine is against the law.

Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

If you need surgery or medical tests, inform the doctor ahead of time that you are using this medicine.

You should not stop using this medicine suddenly. Follow your doctor's instructions about gradually decreasing your dose.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep track of your medicine. You should be aware if anyone is using it improperly or without a prescription.

Do not keep leftover opioid medication. Just one dose can cause death in someone using this medicine accidentally or improperly. Ask your pharmacist where to find a drug take-back disposal program. If there is no take-back program, flush the unused medicine down the toilet.

MISUSE OF OPIOID MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.

Taking opioid medicine during pregnancy may cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the newborn.

Fatal side effects can occur if you use opioid medicine with alcohol, or with other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing.

Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling.

You should not use Nalocet if you are allergic to acetaminophen or oxycodone, or if you have:

• severe asthma or breathing problems; or
• a blockage in your stomach or intestines.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• breathing problems, sleep apnea;
• liver disease;
• a drug or alcohol addiction;
• kidney disease;
• a head injury or seizures;
• urination problems; or
• problems with your thyroid, pancreas, or gallbladder.

If you use opioid medicine while you are pregnant, your baby could become dependent on the drug. This can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby after it is born. Babies born dependent on opioids may need medical treatment for several weeks.

Ask a doctor before using opioid medicine if you are breastfeeding. Tell your doctor if you notice severe drowsiness or slow breathing in the nursing baby.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Opioid medicine can slow or stop your breathing, and death may occur. A person caring for you should give naloxone and/or seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue-colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.

In rare cases, acetaminophen may cause a severe skin reaction that can be fatal. This could occur even if you have taken acetaminophen in the past and had no reaction. Stop taking Nalocet and call your doctor right away if you have skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling.

Nalocet may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• noisy breathing, sighing, shallow breathing, breathing that stops;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• weakness, tiredness, fever, unusual bruising or bleeding;
• confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior;
• problems with urination;
• liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• low cortisol levels--nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, worsening tiredness or weakness; or
• high levels of serotonin in the body--agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

Serious breathing problems may be more likely in older adults and in those who are debilitated or have wasting syndrome or chronic breathing disorders.

Common side effects include:

• dizziness, drowsiness, feeling tired;
• feelings of extreme happiness or sadness;
• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;
• constipation; or
• headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Since Nalocet is used for pain, you probably will not miss a dose. If you do miss a dose and it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses at the same time.

Seek emergency medical help or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Taking too much of this medicine can be deadly, especially for a child or anyone using the medicine without a prescription. Signs of an overdose might include nausea, vomiting, sweating, severe drowsiness, very small pupils, slow breathing, or no breathing.

Your doctor may suggest that you get naloxone (a medicine to reverse an opioid overdose) and keep it with you at all times. A person caring for you can give the naloxone if you stop breathing or do not wake up. Your caregiver must still seek emergency medical help and may need to perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) while waiting for help to arrive.

Anyone can get naloxone from a pharmacy or local health department. Make sure that anyone caring for you knows where you keep naloxone and how to use it.

Do not drive or operate machinery until you understand how Nalocet will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can lead to falls, accidents, or serious injuries.

Do not drink alcohol. Serious side effects or death could happen.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine that may have acetaminophen (sometimes shortened to APAP). Taking certain medications together can cause a fatal overdose.

You may experience breathing issues or withdrawal symptoms if you begin or stop taking certain other medicines. Inform your doctor if you are also taking an antibiotic, antifungal medication, heart or blood pressure medication, seizure medication, or medicine for HIV or hepatitis C.

Opioid medication can interact with many other drugs, leading to serious side effects or death. Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using:

• cold or allergy medicines, bronchodilator asthma/COPD medication, or a diuretic ("water pill");
• medicines for motion sickness, irritable bowel syndrome, or overactive bladder;
• other opioids—opioid pain medicine or prescription cough medicine;
• a sedative like Valium—diazepam, alprazolam, lorazepam, Xanax, Klonopin, Versed, and others;
• drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing—a sleeping pill, muscle relaxer, or medicine for mood disorders or mental illness;
• drugs that impact serotonin levels in your body—a stimulant, or medicine for depression, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or nausea and vomiting.

This list is not comprehensive. Other medications may also interact with Nalocet, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all potential interactions are listed here.