What is Lortab?

Lortab is a prescription opioid painkiller that contains a combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen. Hydrocodone is an opioid agonist that works to block pain signals in the brain while acetaminophen enhances the pain relieving effects. 

Lortab was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1984 as a new formulation of hydrocodone designed to provide effective pain relief while avoiding some of the side effects of other similar drugs. It is manufactured by UCB Pharma and has been one of the most widely prescribed opioid pain medications over the past few decades.

Buy Lortab Online With Same Day Delivery at our reputed online pharmacy. Lortab is prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain, often after surgery or an injury. It can also be used to manage chronic pain conditions like cancer, arthritis, and lower back pain. When used correctly under medical supervision, Lortab provides potent analgesic effects to relieve pain symptoms and improve quality of life. However, it also carries a significant risk of abuse, addiction, and adverse side effects.

Active Ingredients in Lortab

Lortab contains a combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen. 

Hydrocodone is an opioid pain medication that works in the brain to change how your body feels and responds to pain. It’s considered a narcotic analgesic with potent pain-relieving effects.

Acetaminophen is a less potent pain reliever that helps reduce fever and mild pain. It works in the brain to prevent the release of chemicals that cause fever and pain sensations. 

Medical Uses of Lortab

Lortab is primarily used for the relief of moderate to severe pain. It can provide effective pain management after surgery or injury. 

The hydrocodone component of Lortab acts as an opioid analgesic, binding to opioid receptors in the brain and altering pain perception. This provides significant pain relief, but can also lead to feelings of euphoria or relaxation.

The acetaminophen component also provides analgesic effects through a different mechanism of action than the hydrocodone. The combined effect of these two medications allows Lortab to treat acute or chronic pain more effectively than either medication alone.

Lortab Dosage Information

Lortab is available in tablet strengths of 5mg, 7.5mg, and 10mg of hydrocodone combined with 500mg of acetaminophen. 

• The typical adult starting dosage for Lortab is one 5mg/500mg tablet taken every 4-6 hours as needed for pain.  
• The dosage may be increased by one tablet every 3-4 days according to pain severity and patient response.  
• The maximum daily dose is six tablets per day.
• People over 50 years old may need a lower starting dose.
• Lortab should not be taken more frequently than every 4 hours.
• Extended-release Lortab is available in tablet strengths of 10mg, 15mg, 20mg, 30mg, 40mg, and 50mg hydrocodone with acetaminophen. The typical starting dose is one 10mg tablet every 12 hours.
• Lortab should be taken with food and with a full glass of water to avoid stomach upset. Tablets can be broken in half if needed for dose adjustments.

Side Effects of Lortab

Taking Lortab can cause a variety of side effects. The most common side effects are:

Drowsiness. Lortab can make you feel very sleepy, especially when you first start taking it or after a dose increase. It’s best to avoid driving or operating heavy machinery if Lortab is making you drowsy.

Dizziness. The medication can cause lightheadedness or a feeling that you or your surroundings are spinning. Move slowly when getting up from a lying down position to avoid falls.

Nausea, vomiting, or constipation. Lortab binds to opioid receptors in the brain that control nausea and digestion, which can cause an upset stomach in some people. Stay hydrated and eat high-fiber foods to help reduce constipation.

Itching. Some people report feeling itchy all over when taking Lortab. Antihistamines may help reduce itching caused by the medication.

More serious side effects are possible if Lortab is taken long-term or in high doses:  

Liver damage. The acetaminophen in Lortab can harm the liver if taken in doses higher than 4,000 mg per day or with alcohol. Get medical help if you experience dark urine, yellow skin/eyes, extreme fatigue, or abdominal pain.

Addiction and dependence. Lortab has a high potential for abuse and addiction due to the hydrocodone. Psychological and physical dependence can occur with ongoing use.

Depression of the central nervous system. High doses can cause severe respiratory depression, decreased heart rate, coma, or even death. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience slowed breathing or extreme drowsiness.

Warnings and Precautions Associated With Lortab

Lortab contains hydrocodone, an opioid pain reliever that can lead to dependence and addiction with prolonged use. Patients prescribed Lortab should take the medication exactly as directed by their doctor, and not increase doses or take more frequently than prescribed. Lortab should only be used for severe acute pain, where alternative treatments have not provided adequate relief. It is not intended for long-term chronic pain management.

Lortab may cause drowsiness, dizziness and impair mental alertness. Lortab can also exacerbate mood disorders or suicidal thoughts in some individuals. Patients or caregivers should monitor for any unusual changes in behavior or thinking and report them to the prescribing doctor right away.

Withdrawal and Detox

Stopping lortab suddenly or reducing the dose too quickly can cause unpleasant and potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms. This is because the body becomes dependent on the drug with regular use over time. 

Some common withdrawal symptoms include:

• Agitation, anxiety, and restlessness
• Excessive sweating 
• Muscle aches and pain
• Insomnia 
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Rapid heartbeat and high blood pressure

Overdose

Overdosing on Lortab can be extremely dangerous and potentially life-threatening. Some signs of Lortab overdose include:

• Severe drowsiness, dizziness, or weakness
• Slow, shallow, or troubled breathing
• Clammy skin or feeling cold to the touch
• Bluish lips or fingernails
• Loss of consciousness