Lortab Overdose
There are some serious issues that can occur when too much Lortab has been taken. The hydrocodone that is found in Lortab has the potential to cause symptoms including hypotension, trouble breathing, and even cardiac arrest. The other active ingredient, acetaminophen, has the potential to cause issues such as bleeding, diarrhea, and liver failure. Treating an overdose of Lortab could include measures such as inducing vomiting, giving activated charcoal, taking certain medications to offset potential symptoms and problems and pumping the stomach.
Can a Person Take Too Much of this Medication?
Because
Lortab contains two active ingredients including
Hydrocodone, which is a narcotic, and acetaminophen, which is a pain reliever and fever reducer, it is available by prescription. Both of the active ingredients in this medication can cause serious side effects that include death when the
Lortab is overdosed.
As with all medications, taking too much Lortab is possible. Specific effects of an overdose of this kind might be different with each case and will depend on many factors such as the
Lortab dosage that was taken and if it was used in conjunction with other substances or medications.
Lortab Overdose Symptoms
The hydrocodone found in Lortab has been found to cause symptoms such as:
- Feelings of extreme sleepiness that may lead to a coma
- Lower than normal blood pressure
- Skin that is cold and clammy
- Very slow heart rate
- Cardiac arrest
- Trouble breathing
- Death
The acetaminophen found in Lortab medication has been found to cause symptoms such as:
- Dark urine
- Liver failure
- Jaundice
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Irritability
- Loss of appetite
- Profuse sweating
- Bleeding
- Disorientation
- Lowered blood sugar
- Death
Additionally, it's important to know that Lortab Elixir has 7% alcohol content and could make the overdose effects of either active ingredient of this medication worse.
Lortab Overdose Warning Signs:
- No fear of the consequences of taking too much of the drug
- Worry that the Lortab will run out
- Inability to keep from taking Lortab
- Shaking, chills, sweatiness and nausea
- Additional symptoms that increase over time
- Use to avoid withdrawal even when there is no medical need
Treating a Lortab Overdose
In the case of a Lortab overdose, seeking early treatment is imperative. If it was a recent overdose, a doctor may choose to pump the stomach, administer activated charcoal to keep the body from absorbing too much of the medication, or induce vomiting.
There is a medication known as Mucomyst, or N-acetylcysteine that is very beneficial in treating an overdose of acetaminophen and has been found to prevent liver damage. There is also an antidote known as naloxone that is often given to offset potential overdose effects of the hydrocodone found in Lortab.
Treatments of an overdose of this kind often include supportive care, where the symptoms that occur because of the overdose are treated. This may include a liver transplant if a person has suffered extreme liver damage.
It is essential that you get immediate medical attention if you worry that you have taken an overdose of Lortab. Getting treatment early can help to reduce how severe a Lortab overdose is.
