Risks from Concomitant Use with Benzodiazepines or other CNS Depressants
Concomitant use of opioids, including Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Homatropine Methylbromide tablets, with benzodiazepines, or other CNS depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Because of these risks, avoid use of opioid cough medications in patients taking benzodiazepines, other CNS depressants, or alcohol (see Precautions - Drug Interactions).
Observational studies have demonstrated that concomitant use of opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines increases the risk of drug-related mortality compared to use of opioids alone. Because of similar pharmacologic properties, it is reasonable to expect similar risk with concomitant use of opioid cough medications and benzodiazepines, other CNS depressants, or alcohol.
Advise both patients and caregivers about the risks of respiratory depression and sedation if Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Homatropine Methylbromide tablets is used with benzodiazepines, alcohol, or other CNS depressants (see Precautions - Information for Patients).
Hydrocodone can produce drug dependence of the morphine type and, therefore, has the potential for being abused. Psychic dependence, physical dependence and tolerance may develop upon repeated administration of Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Homatropine Methylbromide tablets and it should be prescribed and administered with the same degree of caution appropriate to the use of other opioid drugs (SEE DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE).
Respiratory Depression:
The use of Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Homatropine Methylbromide tablets is not recommended for use in children less than 6 years of age because of the risk of fatal respiratory depression (see ADVERSE REACTIONS – Respiratory Depression). Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Homatropine Methylbromide tablets produce dose-related respiratory depression by directly acting on brain stem respiratory centers. If respiratory depression occurs, it may be antagonized by the use of naloxone hydrochloride and other supportive measures when indicated.
Head Injury and Increased Intracranial Pressure:
The respiratory depression properties of opioids and their capacity to elevate cerebrospinal fluid pressure may be markedly exaggerated in the presence of head injury, other intracranial lesions, or a pre-existing increase in intracranial pressure. Furthermore, opioids produce adverse reactions which may obscure the clinical course of patients with head injuries.
Acute Abdominal Conditions:
The administration of Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Homatropine Methylbromide tablets or other opioids may obscure the diagnosis or clinical course of patients with acute abdominal conditions.
Pediatric Use:
In pediatric patients, as well as adults, the respiratory center is sensitive to the depressant action of opioid cough suppressants in a dose-dependent manner. Caution should be exercised when administering Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Homatropine Methylbromide tablets to pediatric patients 6 years of age and older because of the potential for fatal respiratory depression. Overdose or concomitant administration of Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Homatropine Methylbromide tablets with other respiratory depressants may increase the risk of respiratory depression in pediatric patients. Benefit to risk ratio should be carefully considered especially in the pediatric population with respiratory embarrassment (e.g., croup)(see PRECAUTIONS).