homatropine and hydrocodone

What is the most important information I should know about homatropine and hydrocodone?

What is homatropine and hydrocodone?

Homatropine and hydrocodone is a combination medicine used to treat runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, cough, and sinus congestion caused by allergies or the common cold.

Homatropine and hydrocodone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking homatropine and hydrocodone?

• severe asthma or breathing problems;
• a stomach or bowel obstruction (including paralytic ileus);
• severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure;
• severe coronary artery disease (clogged arteries);
• narrow-angle glaucoma; or
• if you are unable to urinate.

Do not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• lung disease or breathing problems;
• a head injury, brain tumor, or seizure;
• constipation, a bowel obstruction, or stomach problems;
• problems with your bile duct, pancreas, or adrenal gland;
• an enlarged prostate;
• urination problems;
• liver or kidney disease;
• low blood pressure;
• heart disease, a blood vessel disorder;
• a drug addiction; or
• if you have a fever and cough with mucus.

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.

How should I take homatropine and hydrocodone?

Follow the directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides. Never use this medicine in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Cold or cough medicine is only for short-term use until your symptoms clear up.

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

If you need surgery or medical tests, tell the surgeon or doctor ahead of time if you have taken a cough or cold medicine within the past few days.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since this medicine is used when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. Skip any missed dose if it's almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Your doctor may recommend 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 don't wake up. Your caregiver must still get emergency medical help and may need to perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) on you while waiting for help to arrive.

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

What should I avoid while taking homatropine and hydrocodone?

What are the possible side effects of homatropine and hydrocodone?

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.

• noisy breathing, sighing, shallow breathing;
• extreme drowsiness, confusion, feeling weak or limp;
• a seizure;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• severe constipation, stomach pain;
• little or no urination;
• adrenal gland problems --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 may include:

• drowsiness, dizziness;
• lack of energy, coordination problems;
• headache, confusion;
• dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, constipation;
• tremors, fast or irregular heart rate; or
• feeling anxious, restless, nervous, or irritable.

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.

What other drugs will affect homatropine and hydrocodone?

You may have breathing problems or withdrawal symptoms if you start or stop taking certain other medicines. Tell your doctor if you also use an antibiotic, antifungal medication, heart or blood pressure medication, seizure medication, or medicine to treat HIV or hepatitis C.

• 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 make you sleepy or slow your breathing --a sleeping pill, muscle relaxer, medicine to treat mood disorders or mental illness;
• drugs that affect 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 complete. Other drugs may affect homatropine and hydrocodone, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about homatropine and hydrocodone.