Hydrocodone Bitartrate/Ibuprofen, Oral

Type of medicine: narcotic analgesic (painkiller) and anti-inflammatory

Generic and brand names: hydrocodone bitartrate and ibuprofen, oral; Vicoprofen Tablets

This medicine is taken by mouth to help relieve pain. It contains both a narcotic pain reliever (hydrocodone) and an anti-inflammatory (ibuprofen).

Before taking this medicine, tell your health care provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• a breathing disorder or lung problem such as asthma
• a head injury or brain tumor
• Addison's disease
• bleeding problems or blood disorders
• enlarged prostrate gland or trouble urinating
• heart disease
• high blood pressure
• liver or kidney disease
• problems with alcohol or drug abuse
• seizures
• thyroid problems
• ulcers.

Also, tell your health care provider if you are taking any medicines to thin your blood.

Females of childbearing age: Talk with your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. This medicine is not recommended for use in late pregnancy because it may harm the baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your health care provider's approval.

Take this medicine exactly as your health care provider prescribes. Do not take more or for a longer period of time than prescribed because this medicine may be habit-forming. Usually you will take it for 10 days or less. Also, taking too much of this medicine may increase your risk of side effects. Do not take more than 5 tablets in any one day.

You may take this medicine with or without food. Taking it with meals may lessen the chance the drug will upset your stomach. Do not break, crush, or chew the tablets. Swallow them whole.

This medicine increases the effects of alcohol and other drugs that slow down your nervous system. Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines unless your health care provider approves.

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to the sun, which may lead to painful sunburns. While you are taking this medicine, avoid long exposure to the sun. Wear protective clothing, a hat, and sunscreen lotion when you need to be outdoors. Do not use a sunlamp. If you get a severe sunburn, contact your health care provider right away.

This medicine is a controlled substance. It is illegal for you to give it to anyone else.

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your health care provider right away. If you cannot reach your health care provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Black tarry or bloody stool, swelling of your feet, ankles, legs, or other parts of your body, fever, muscle aches and pains, tiredness, yellowing of your skin or eyes, vision changes.

Other: Headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, drowsiness, dizziness, thirst, dry mouth, trouble urinating, heartburn, ringing in your ears, sweating.

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking:

• ACE inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), quinapril (Accupril), and ramipril (Altace)
• alcohol
• antianxiety medicines such as clonazepam (Klonopin), alprazolam (Xanax), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), oxazepam (Serax), triazolam (Halcion), temazepam (Restoril), and flurazepam (Dalmane)
• anticholinergic medicines such as benztropine (Cogentin), dicyclomine (Bentyl), atropine sulfate, belladonna, propantheline (Pro-Banthine), methscopolamine (Pamine), l-hyoscyamine (Levsin, Levsinex), amantadine (Symmetrel), procyclidine (Kemadrin), and trihexyphenidyl (Artane)
• antipsychotic medicines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), prochlorperazine (Compazine), trifluoperazine (Stelazine), thioridazine (Mellaril), promazine (Sparine), olanzapine (Zyprexa), risperidone (Risperdal), and ziprasidone (Geodon)
• aspirin
• furosemide (Lasix)
• lithium (Lithonate, Lithobid, Lithotabs, Eskalith)
• MAO inhibitor antidepressants such as phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and isocarboxazid (Marplan) (Do not take this medicine and an MAO inhibitor within 14 days of each other.)
• methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall)
• narcotic analgesics (painkillers) such as codeine, hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab), oxycodone (Percocet, Tylox, OxyContin), propoxyphene (Darvocet N-100), meperidine (Demerol), and fentanyl (Duragesic, Actiq)
• NSAIDs such as naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve, Naprelan), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), nabumetone (Relafen), indomethacin (Indocin), ketorolac (Toradol), sulindac (Clinoril), piroxicam (Feldene), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), and oxaprozin (Daypro)
• sedatives such as phenobarbital (Solfoton), amobarbital (Amytal), zolpidem (Ambien), triazolam (Halcion), butabarbital (Butisol), and zaleplon (Sonata)
• tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), imipramine (Tofranil), and doxepin (Sinequan)
• warfarin (Coumadin).

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.