Hydrocodone and acetaminophen and Rebetol (Ribavirin Capsules)

• Generic Name: acetaminophen / hydrocodone
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Anexsia, Dolorex Forte, Hycet, Liquicet, Lorcet, Lortab, Maxidone, Norco, Polygesic, Stagesic, Vicodin, Xodol, Zamicet, Zydone, Verdrocet, Lortab 10/325, Lortab 5/325, Lortab 75/325, Lortab Elixir, Zyfrel

Hydrocodone and acetaminophen combination is used to relieve pain severe enough to require opioid treatment and when other pain medicines did not work well enough or cannot be tolerated.

Acetaminophen is used to relieve pain and reduce fever in patients. It does not become habit-forming when taken for a long time. But acetaminophen may cause other unwanted effects when taken in large doses, including liver damage.

Hydrocodone belongs to the group of medicines called narcotic analgesics (pain medicines). It acts on the central nervous system (CNS) to relieve pain, and stops or prevents cough.

When hydrocodone is used for a long time, it may become habit-forming, causing mental or physical dependence. However, people who have continuing pain should not let the fear of dependence keep them from using narcotics to relieve their pain. Mental dependence (addiction) is not likely to occur when narcotics are used for this purpose. Physical dependence may lead to withdrawal side effects if treatment is stopped suddenly. However, severe withdrawal side effects can usually be prevented by gradually reducing the dose over a period of time before treatment is stopped completely.

Hydrocodone and acetaminophen is available only under a restricted distribution program called the Opioid Analgesic REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy) program.

• Generic Name: ribavirin
• Dosage Forms: capsule, oral solution
• Other Brand Names: Rebetol, RibaPak, Ribasphere, RibaTab, Copegus, Virazole, RibaPak 600, Moderiba, Moderiba 800 Dose Pack, Moderiba 1200 Dose Pack, Moderiba 1000 Dose Pack, Moderiba 600 Dose Pack

• It is used to treat hepatitis C infection.
• This medicine may be used along with interferon or peginterferon. If you are using one of these drugs, read the patient fact sheet that comes with it.