Lortab

Lortab is a prescription-only medication that combines Hydrocodone bitartrate, a semi-synthetic opioid, with Acetaminophen (Paracetamol), a non-opioid pain reliever. This combination provides effective relief for moderate to moderately severe pain.

Medical Uses of Lortab

Doctors prescribe Lortab for pain conditions that require stronger treatment than over-the-counter medications. Common uses include:

• Post-surgical pain management

• Pain from injury or trauma (fractures, sprains, dental pain)

• Chronic pain conditions when other medications are ineffective

Because hydrocodone also has antitussive (cough suppressant) properties, it may historically have been used for severe cough, though this is less common today.

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How Lortab Works

Lortab works by combining two active ingredients:

1. Hydrocodone – an opioid that binds to mu-opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, blocking pain signals and producing pain relief and mild euphoria.

2. Acetaminophen – enhances pain relief while reducing fever, but does not have opioid-like addictive effects.

The combination provides stronger analgesia than either drug alone, but also increases risks if misused.

Side Effects of Lortab

Like other opioid medications, Lortab carries both common side effects and serious risks.

Common side effects:

• Drowsiness

• Dizziness

• Constipation

• Nausea and vomiting

• Headaches

Serious risks include:

• Respiratory depression (slowed breathing)

• Addiction and dependence (hydrocodone is highly addictive)

• Overdose, especially when combined with alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other opioids

• Liver toxicity, due to high doses of acetaminophen

Dosage and Formulations

Lortab is typically available in:

• Tablet form (hydrocodone 5mg–10mg + acetaminophen 300mg–325mg)

• Oral solution for patients who cannot take tablets

Doctors adjust dosage based on pain severity, patient history, and tolerance.

 Patients must never exceed the maximum acetaminophen daily dose (generally 4,000mg) to avoid severe liver damage.

Lortab and the Opioid Epidemic

Like Vicodin and Norco, Lortab has been at the center of the opioid crisis in the USA. Its widespread availability, combined with the addictive potential of hydrocodone, led to high rates of misuse, dependence, and overdose deaths.

Public health strategies now emphasize:

• Prescribing Lortab only when absolutely necessary

• Limiting duration and dose

• Encouraging non-opioid alternatives

• Expanding access to naloxone, a life-saving overdose reversal drug

Lortab remains a powerful prescription medication for managing moderate to severe pain, but it must be used responsibly under close medical supervision. While it offers significant relief for patients, its risks—including addiction, overdose, and liver damage—make it one of the most carefully regulated pain medications in the USA.