Brand name:

Vicoprofen

Why is Vicoprofen prescribed?

Vicoprofen is a chemical cousin of the well-known painkiller Vicodin. Both products contain the prescription pain medication hydrocodone. However, while Vicodin also includes acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol), Vicoprofen replaces it with ibuprofen (the active ingredient in Advil).

Vicoprofen relieves acute pain. It is generally prescribed for less than 10 days, and cannot be used in the long-term treatment of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.

Most important fact about Vicoprofen

Vicoprofen can be habit-forming. If you take Vicoprofen over a long period of time, you can become both mentally and physically dependent on it, and you may find that it no longer works for you at the prescribed dose.

How should you take Vicoprofen?

Take Vicoprofen exactly as prescribed. Do not increase the amount you take or the number of doses per day without your doctor's approval. Vicoprofen should be used only for pain--and only as needed.

--If you miss a dose...

Take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Never take 2 doses at the same time.

--Storage information...

Store at room temperature in a tightly sealed, light-resistant container.

Vicoprofen side effects

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Vicoprofen.

• Side effects may include:
  Abdominal pain, anxiety, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, gas, headache, indigestion, infection, insomnia, itching, loss of strength, nausea, nervousness, sweating, swelling, vomiting

Why should Vicoprofen not be prescribed?

If ibuprofen, aspirin, or brands such as Advil, Aleve, and Naprosyn have ever given you asthma, hives, or any other type of allergic attack, do not take Vicoprofen. You should also avoid Vicoprofen if you've ever had an allergic reaction to hydrocodone or other narcotic painkillers.

Special warnings about Vicoprofen

Vicoprofen can make you drowsy and slow. Do not drive a car, operate machinery, or perform any other potentially dangerous activities until you know how Vicoprofen affects you. Alcohol, sedatives, tranquilizers, and other narcotic painkillers can increase drowsiness. Do not combine them with Vicoprofen.

High doses of hydrocodone may produce troubled, irregular, or slowed breathing; if you are sensitive to Vicoprofen, or have a head injury, such problems are more likely. Narcotics tend to increase the pressure of the fluid inside the skull, and this effect can be exaggerated by a head injury. Avoid Vicoprofen if possible.

Use Vicoprofen with caution if you have a severe liver or kidney disorder, heart failure, lupus, underactive thyroid or adrenal glands, an enlarged prostate, or any narrowing of the duct that drains the bladder. Caution is also called for in those who are weak, elderly, or dehydrated.

Hydrocodone suppresses the cough reflex; use it cautiously if you have a lung condition or have just had surgery.

The ibuprofen in Vicoprofen has been known to cause ulcers, and stomach bleeding can start without warning. If you've had such problems in the past, make sure the doctor is aware of it. Smoking, drinking, old age, and poor health make stomach problems more likely.

Vicoprofen can prolong bleeding time and cause a decrease in blood cell count. If you are taking a blood-thinning medication, use Vicoprofen with caution. This drug can also cause water retention. Be cautious if you have high blood pressure or poor heart function.

Contact your doctor if you notice any signs of stomach or intestinal bleeding, suffer blurred vision or other eye problems, get a skin rash, or notice any weight gain or swelling. If you have a severe allergic reaction, stop taking the drug and seek medical help immediately.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Vicoprofen

If Vicoprofen is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either can be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Vicoprofen with the following:

ACE-inhibitor-type blood pressure and heart drugs such as Capoten and Vasotec
Alcohol
Antidepressants such as Elavil, Norpramin, and Pamelor
Antihistamines such as Benadryl, chlorpheniramine, and Tavist
Aspirin
Blood-thinning drugs such as Coumadin
Drugs that control muscle spasms such as Artane and Cogentin
Lithium (Lithobid, Lithonate)
Major tranquilizers such as Haldol and Thorazine
Methotrexate (Rheumatrex)
Other narcotic painkillers such as Demerol, morphine, and Percocet
Sleeping pills such as Halcion and Restoril
Tranquilizers such as Ativan, Valium, and Xanax
Water pills (diuretics) such as Lasix and HydroDIURIL

Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

Do not take Vicoprofen during pregnancy unless directed by your doctor. Drug dependence occurs in newborns when mothers take narcotics regularly prior to delivery.

Vicoprofen may appear in breast milk and could affect a nursing infant. If Vicoprofen is essential to your health, your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding until your treatment is finished.

Recommended dosage for Vicoprofen

ADULTS

Overdosage

A massive overdose of Vicoprofen can be fatal. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately.

• Symptoms of Vicoprofen overdose may include:
  Slowed breathing, extreme drowsiness, muscle weakness, cold and clammy skin, low blood pressure, slowed heart rate, stomach and intestinal irritation, headache, dizziness, ringing in the ears, confusion, blurred vision, eye problems, inflammation of the skin in the mouth, skin rash, swelling, difficulty breathing, heart attack, coma