Health Encyclopedia

Hydrocodone and acetaminophen overdose

Definition

This poisoning is from taking too much of a painkiller containing both acetaminophen (Tylenol) and hydrocodone.

Alternative Names

Lorcet overdose; Lortab overdose; Vicodin overdose

Poisonous Ingredient

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Hydrocodone (narcotic)

Where Found

Acetaminophen with hydrocodone is the main ingredient in many prescription painkillers including:

Anexsia
Anolor DH
Lortab
Lorcet
Norco
Vicodin
Zydone

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

Bluish skin (fingernails and lips)
Breathing slow and labored
Breathing shallow
Cold and clammy skin
Confusion
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Eyes with small (pinpoint) pupils
Liver failure due to acetaminophen overdose
Loss of consciousness
Low blood pressure
Respiratory arrest
Seizures
Spasms of the stomach or intestinal tract
Sweating
Tiredness
Vomiting
Weakness

Home Treatment

DO NOT make the person throw up. Seek immediate emergency care.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following:

Patient's age, weight, and condition
Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
Time it was swallowed
Amount swallowed
If the medication was prescribed for the patient

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the U.S. use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the emergency room.

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.

The patient may receive:

Fluids
Medicines to treat symptoms
A narcotic antagonist (medicine to reverse the effect of the hydrocodone)
N-Acetyl cysteine (medicine to lower acetaminophen levels in the blood)
Activated charcoal
Laxative
A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)
Artificial respiration

Expectations (prognosis)

If the patient can receive medicines to reverse the overdose, they may get better within 1 to 4 days.

Review Date:3/17/2006
Reviewed By:Janeen R. Azare, PhD, MSPH, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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