How to Stop Taking Lortab
Used to relieve moderate to severe pain, Lortab is a combination of hydrocodone, a narcotic pain reliever, and acetaminophen, a less potent pain reliever that increases hydrocodone's effects. Side effects of Lortab include shallow breathing, feeling faint, confusion, difficulty urinating, nausea, loss of appetite, dizziness, mood changes, blurred vision and dry mouth. Hydrocodone is considered habit-forming, and stopping Lortab abruptly may cause uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.
Instructions
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Consult your primary care provider to create a plan for gradually lowering your daily dosage of Lortab. Discuss your reasons for quitting Lortab with your doctor and ask about how to handle common withdrawal symptoms, which may include agitation, anxiety, insomnia, muscle aches, runny nose, increased tearing, yawning, sweating, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and dilated pupils.
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Discuss an alternate method of pain management with your doctor in case moderate to severe pain returns when your Lortab dosage is lowered. Your doctor may prescribe another pain medication, recommend over-the-counter pain medication or encourage you to consider alternative treatment options.
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Decrease the amount of Lortab according to the plan you and your doctor developed. Obtain approval from your doctor before changing your dosage outside of the plan.
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Contact your doctor if you have any withdrawal symptoms. Adjustments may need to be made to your reduced dosage plan if you experience more than mild withdrawal symptoms.
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Report any intense cravings for Lortab that you experience during the weaning process. If you do experience intense cravings, you may have developed an addiction to Lortab. Your doctor may recommend additional help for you to quit Lortab.
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Ask your doctor what to do with any leftover Lortab. Be sure to properly dispose of the remaining medication.
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References
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