Acetaminophen, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine

Generic name: acetaminophen, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine [ a-SEET-a-MIN-oh-fen, KAF-een, dye-HYE-droe-KOE-deen ]
Brand names: Dvorah, Panlor Tablet, Trezix, Panlor DC, Panlor SS, Zerlor
Dosage forms: oral capsule (320.5 mg-30 mg-16 mg), oral tablet (325 mg-30 mg-16 mg)
Drug class: Narcotic analgesic combinations

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Jan 12, 2023. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is acetaminophen, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine?

Acetaminophen, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine is a combination medicine used to relieve moderate to severe pain.

Acetaminophen, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

MISUSE OF OPIOID MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.

Do not give acetaminophen, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine to anyone younger than 12 years old, or anyone under 18 who recently had surgery to remove the tonsils or adenoids.

Fatal side effects can occur if you use opioid medicine with alcohol, or with other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing.

Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to acetaminophen, caffeine, or dihydrocodeine, or if you have:

• severe asthma or breathing problems; or

• a blockage in your stomach or intestines.

This medicine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 12 years old.

Do not give this medicine to anyone younger than 18 years old who recently had surgery to remove the tonsils or adenoids.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• breathing problems, sleep apnea;

• liver or kidney disease;

• alcoholism or drug addiction;

• mental illness or psychosis;

• a seizure or head injury;

• urination problems; or

• problems with your pancreas, thyroid, or adrenal gland.

If you use opioid medicine while you are pregnant, your baby could become dependent on the drug. This can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby after it is born. Babies born dependent on opioids may need medical treatment for several weeks.

Do not breastfeed. Dihydrocodeine can pass into breast milk and cause drowsiness, breathing problems, or death in a nursing baby.

How should I take acetaminophen, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine?

Follow the directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides. Never use acetaminophen, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. An overdose can damage your liver or cause death. Tell your doctor if you feel an increased urge to take more of this medicine.

Never share opioid medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. MISUSE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away opioid medicine is against the law.

If you need surgery or medical tests, tell the doctor ahead of time that you are using this medicine.

Do not stop using this medicine suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using the medicine.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep track of your medicine. You should be aware if anyone is using it improperly or without a prescription.

Do not keep leftover opioid medication. Just one dose can cause death in someone using this medicine accidentally or improperly. Ask your pharmacist where to locate a drug take-back disposal program. If there is no take-back program, flush the unused medicine down the toilet.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since this medicine is used for pain, you are not likely to miss a dose. Skip any missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of acetaminophen, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine can be fatal, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription. Overdose can cause severe muscle weakness, pinpoint pupils, very slow breathing, extreme drowsiness, or coma.

What should I avoid while taking acetaminophen, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine?

Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.

Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death could occur.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine that may contain acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as APAP). Taking too much acetaminophen can lead to a fatal overdose.

Acetaminophen, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

In rare cases, acetaminophen may cause a severe skin reaction that can be fatal. This could occur even if you have taken acetaminophen in the past and had no reaction. Stop taking acetaminophen, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine and call your doctor right away if you have skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling.

Opioid medicine can slow or stop your breathing, and death may occur. A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.

Acetaminophen, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• noisy breathing, sighing, shallow breathing, breathing that stops during sleep;

• chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeats, feeling light-headed, fainting;

• confusion, extreme drowsiness, unusual thoughts or behavior;

• painful or difficult urination;

• severe constipation;

• liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

• low cortisol levels-- nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, worsening tiredness or weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Serious side effects may be more likely in older adults and those who are overweight, malnourished, or debilitated.

Long-term use of opioid medication may affect fertility (ability to have children) in men or women. It is not known whether opioid effects on fertility are permanent.

Common side effects include:

• dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness, headache;

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, constipation;

• sweating, itching; or

• skin rash.

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.

Acetaminophen, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Pain:

Initial dose: 2 capsules orally every 4 hours as needed
Maximum dose: 5 doses or 10 capsules in 24 hours; no more than 2 capsules should be taken within any 4-hour period.

Comment:
-Individualize therapy taking into account patients pain severity, prior analgesic treatment experiences, and risk factors for addiction, abuse, and misuse.

Use: For the management of moderate to moderately severe pain that is severe enough to require an opioid analgesic and for which alternative treatments are inadequate.

What other drugs will affect acetaminophen, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine?

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.

Opioid medication can interact with many other drugs and cause dangerous side effects or death. Be sure your doctor knows if you also use:

• other narcotic medications--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; or

• 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 acetaminophen, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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