LORTAB: 7 Major Things to Know About This Pain Killer

What is Lortab? 

Lortab is a brand name medication of hydrocodone and acetaminophen and is similar to brands like Norco and Lorcet. This is a mixed medication of opioid and non-opioid pain killers. Moreover, this medication works by relieving moderate to severe pain. It alters how your brain responds to pain by changing the receptors working. Further, acetaminophen also helps to reduce fever.

What does Lortab look like? 

The Lortab tablets are available in multiple colors and strengths. For example are green, white with pink, or wholly pink, or blue specks. They have an imprint of “ucb” on one side and numbers like 901, 902, 903, 910 on the other side, all depending on the strength.

1. How has Lortab Misuse shaped in the last decades? 

• According to ASAM, women’s death due to overdose of pain killers increased more than 400% in the previous decade compared to men.
• Among every five new heroin users, four users abuse prescription painkillers.
• Sales of pain killers in 2010 were four times higher than in 1999, and the substance misuse rates also skyrocketed to six times compared to the last records.

In what strength Lortab is available?

Lortab is available in the strength of 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg combined with 325 mg acetaminophen. For oral tablets, the 10/500 is the dosage of one tablet is consumed every four to six hours.

What are the side effects of Lortab?

Common side effects of Lortab are:

1. Lethargy,
2. Anxiety,
3. Vertigo,
4. Nausea,
5. Vomiting,
6. Distressed stomach,
7. Constipation,
8. Headache,
9. Mood Swings,
10. Unclear vision,
11. Ringing in your ears,
12. Dry mouth, and
13. Unconcious thinking.

What are the signs of Lortab Withdrawal? 

Lortab withdrawal can be stressful and painful. The symptoms of this medication withdrawal include:

1. Anxiety
2. Chills
3. Cramming
4. Common yawning
5. The rapid increase in blood pressure
6. Increase in sensitivity of pain
7. Insomnia and agitation
8. Irritability
9. Muscle pains
10. Nausea and vomiting
11. Increase in a heartbeat
12. Runny nose
13. Trembling and tremors
14. Stomach issues
15. Sweltering
16. Gashing of the eyes

Precautions with Lortab:

1. This medicine can interact with alcohol, acetaminophen, and medications that make you sleepy or slow your breathing. Do not consume Lortab with antidepressants.
2. You should avoid food like grapefruit juice, cabbage, and tobacco while on Lortab.
3. Do not breastfeed if consuming this medicine as it could pass through the milk and make the child depend on this medicine.
4. They have classified under schedule III drugs; hence, abusing and misusing them is prohibited.
5. Lortab can make you dizzy and drowsy, so avoid driving or operating heavy types of machinery.