Skip to main content

Drug Interactions between Americet and Liquicet

This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 2 drugs:

Edit list (add/remove drugs)

Interactions between your drugs

Major

butalbital HYDROcodone

Applies to: Americet (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine) and Liquicet (acetaminophen / hydrocodone)

GENERALLY AVOID: Barbiturates may potentiate the central nervous system (CNS) depressant effects of opioids. Concomitant use may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. On the other hand, some barbiturates can also induce the hepatic metabolism of opioids that are metabolized by CYP450 3A4 such as butorphanol, fentanyl, hydrocodone, methadone and oxycodone, resulting in enhanced clearance. Reduced analgesic efficacy or withdrawal symptoms may occur in patients maintained on their opioid regimen following the addition of a barbiturate. Conversely, discontinuation of the barbiturate may increase plasma concentrations of the opioid and potentiate the risk of overdose and fatal respiratory depression.

MANAGEMENT: The use of opioids in conjunction with other CNS depressants such as barbiturates should generally be avoided unless alternative treatment options are inadequate. If coadministration is necessary, the dosage and duration of each drug should be limited to the minimum required to achieve desired clinical effect, and patients should be closely monitored for signs and symptoms of CNS and respiratory depression. Particular caution is advisable when a barbiturate is added to or withdrawn from therapy in patients receiving opioids that are CYP450 3A4 substrates, as there may be an increased risk of withdrawal symptoms (e.g., restlessness, insomnia, sweating, lacrimation, or rhinorrhea) following initiation of the barbiturate and overdose following discontinuation. A dosage adjustment for one or both drugs may be required.

References

  1. Liu S-J, Wang RI "Case report of barbiturate-induced enhancement of methadone metabolism and withdrawal syndrome." Am J Psychiatry 141 (1984): 1287-8
  2. Bell J, Seres V, Bowron P, Lewis J, Batey R "The use of serum methadone levels in patients receiving methadone maintenance." Clin Pharmacol Ther 43 (1988): 623-9
  3. "Product Information. Duragesic Transdermal System (fentanyl)." Janssen Pharmaceutica, Titusville, NJ.
  4. "Product Information. OxyContin (oxycodone)." Purdue Frederick Company PROD (2001):
  5. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
  6. "Product Information. Ionsys (fentanyl)." Ortho McNeil Pharmaceutical (2006):
  7. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information." O 0
  8. "Product Information. Zohydro ER (hydrocodone)." Zogenix, Inc (2013):
  9. "Product Information. Butorphanol Tartrate (butorphanol)." Apotex Corporation (2017):
  10. "Product Information. Apadaz (acetaminophen-benzhydrocodone)." KemPharm, Inc (2018):
View all 10 references

Switch to consumer interaction data

Moderate

acetaminophen butalbital

Applies to: Americet (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine) and Liquicet (acetaminophen / hydrocodone) and Americet (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine)

MONITOR: Barbiturates may increase the hepatotoxic potential of acetaminophen and decrease its therapeutic effects. The mechanism may be related to accelerated CYP450 metabolism of acetaminophen with consequent increase in hepatotoxic metabolites. This interaction is of greatest concern in cases of acetaminophen overdose.

MANAGEMENT: Monitoring for altered efficacy and safety is recommended. Prolonged use or high doses of acetaminophen should be avoided by patients on barbiturate therapy.

References

  1. Pirotte JH "Apparent potentiation by phenobarbital of hepatotoxicity from small doses of acetaminophen." Ann Intern Med 101 (1984): 403
  2. Douidar SM, Ahmed AE "A novel mechanism for the enhancement of acetaminophen hepatotoxicity by phenobarbital." J Pharmacol Exp Ther 240 (1987): 578-83
  3. Wright N, Prescott LF "Potentiation by previous drug therapy of hepatotoxicity following paracetamol overdose." Scott Med J 18 (1973): 56-8
  4. Bock KW, Wiltfang J, Blume R, Ullrich D, Bircher J "Paracetamol as a test drug to determine glucuronide formation in man: effects of inducers and of smoking." Eur J Clin Pharmacol 31 (1987): 677-83
View all 4 references

Switch to consumer interaction data

Drug and food interactions

Major

HYDROcodone food

Applies to: Liquicet (acetaminophen / hydrocodone)

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate the central nervous system (CNS) depressant effects of opioid analgesics including hydrocodone. Concomitant use may result in additive CNS depression and impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills. In more severe cases, hypotension, respiratory depression, profound sedation, coma, or even death may occur.

GENERALLY AVOID: Consumption of alcohol while taking some sustained-release formulations of hydrocodone may cause rapid release of the drug, resulting in high systemic levels of hydrocodone that may be potentially lethal. Alcohol apparently can disrupt the release mechanism of some sustained-release formulations. In study subjects, the rate of absorption of hydrocodone from an extended-release formulation was found to be affected by coadministration with 40% alcohol in the fasted state, as demonstrated by an average 2.4-fold (up to 3.9-fold in one subject) increase in hydrocodone peak plasma concentration and a decrease in the time to peak concentration. Alcohol also increased the extent of absorption by an average of 1.2-fold (up to 1.7-fold in one subject).

GENERALLY AVOID: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of hydrocodone. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated metabolism of hydrocodone by certain compounds present in grapefruit. Increased hydrocodone concentrations could conceivably increase or prolong adverse drug effects and may cause potentially fatal respiratory depression.

MANAGEMENT: Patients taking sustained-release formulations of hydrocodone should not consume alcohol or use medications that contain alcohol. In general, potent narcotics such as hydrocodone should not be combined with alcohol. Patients should also avoid consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment with hydrocodone.

References

  1. "Product Information. Zohydro ER (hydrocodone)." Zogenix, Inc (2013):

Switch to consumer interaction data

Major

acetaminophen food

Applies to: Americet (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine) and Liquicet (acetaminophen / hydrocodone)

GENERALLY AVOID: Chronic, excessive consumption of alcohol may increase the risk of acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity, which has included rare cases of fatal hepatitis and frank hepatic failure requiring liver transplantation. The proposed mechanism is induction of hepatic microsomal enzymes during chronic alcohol use, which may result in accelerated metabolism of acetaminophen and increased production of potentially hepatotoxic metabolites.

MANAGEMENT: In general, chronic alcoholics should avoid regular or excessive use of acetaminophen. Alternative analgesic/antipyretic therapy may be appropriate in patients who consume three or more alcoholic drinks per day. However, if acetaminophen is used, these patients should be cautioned not to exceed the recommended dosage (maximum 4 g/day in adults and children 12 years of age or older).

References

  1. Kaysen GA, Pond SM, Roper MH, Menke DJ, Marrama MA "Combined hepatic and renal injury in alcoholics during therapeutic use of acetaminophen." Arch Intern Med 145 (1985): 2019-23
  2. O'Dell JR, Zetterman RK, Burnett DA "Centrilobular hepatic fibrosis following acetaminophen-induced hepatic necrosis in an alcoholic." JAMA 255 (1986): 2636-7
  3. Seeff LB, Cuccherini BA, Zimmerman HJ, Adler E, Benjamin SB "Acetaminophen hepatotoxicity in alcoholics." Ann Intern Med 104 (1986): 399-404
  4. Thummel KE, Slattery JT, Nelson SD "Mechanism by which ethanol diminishes the hepatotoxicity of acetaminophen." J Pharmacol Exp Ther 245 (1988): 129-36
  5. McClain CJ, Kromhout JP, Peterson FJ, Holtzman JL "Potentiation of acetaminophen hepatotoxicity by alcohol." JAMA 244 (1980): 251-3
  6. Kartsonis A, Reddy KR, Schiff ER "Alcohol, acetaminophen, and hepatic necrosis." Ann Intern Med 105 (1986): 138-9
  7. Prescott LF, Critchley JA "Drug interactions affecting analgesic toxicity." Am J Med 75 (1983): 113-6
  8. "Product Information. Tylenol (acetaminophen)." McNeil Pharmaceutical PROD (2002):
  9. Whitcomb DC, Block GD "Association of acetaminopphen hepatotoxicity with fasting and ethanol use." JAMA 272 (1994): 1845-50
  10. Bonkovsky HL "Acetaminophen hepatotoxicity, fasting, and ethanol." JAMA 274 (1995): 301
  11. Nelson EB, Temple AR "Acetaminophen hepatotoxicity, fasting, and ethanol." JAMA 274 (1995): 301
  12. Zimmerman HJ, Maddrey WC "Acetaminophen (paracetamol) hepatotoxicity with regular intake of alcohol: analysis of instances of therapeutic misadventure." Hepatology 22 (1995): 767-73
View all 12 references

Switch to consumer interaction data

Major

butalbital food

Applies to: Americet (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine)

GENERALLY AVOID: Concurrent acute use of barbiturates and ethanol may result in additive CNS effects, including impaired coordination, sedation, and death. Tolerance of these agents may occur with chronic use. The mechanism is related to inhibition of microsomal enzymes acutely and induction of hepatic microsomal enzymes chronically.

MANAGEMENT: The combination of ethanol and barbiturates should be avoided.

References

  1. Gupta RC, Kofoed J "Toxological statistics for barbiturates, other sedatives, and tranquilizers in Ontario: a 10-year survey." Can Med Assoc J 94 (1966): 863-5
  2. Misra PS, Lefevre A, Ishii H, Rubin E, Lieber CS "Increase of ethanol, meprobamate and pentobarbital metabolism after chronic ethanol administration in man and in rats." Am J Med 51 (1971): 346-51
  3. Saario I, Linnoila M "Effect of subacute treatment with hypnotics, alone or in combination with alcohol, on psychomotor skills related to driving." Acta Pharmacol Toxicol (Copenh) 38 (1976): 382-92
  4. Stead AH, Moffat AC "Quantification of the interaction between barbiturates and alcohol and interpretation of fatal blood concentrations." Hum Toxicol 2 (1983): 5-14
  5. Seixas FA "Drug/alcohol interactions: avert potential dangers." Geriatrics 34 (1979): 89-102
View all 5 references

Switch to consumer interaction data

Minor

caffeine food

Applies to: Americet (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine)

The effect of grapefruit juice on the pharmacologic activity of caffeine is controversial. One report suggests that grapefruit juice increases the effect of caffeine. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of cytochrome P-450 metabolism of caffeine. However, a well-conducted pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic study did not demonstrate this effect. The clinical significance of this potential interaction is unknown.

References

  1. "Grapefruit juice interactions with drugs." Med Lett Drugs Ther 37 (1995): 73-4
  2. Maish WA, Hampton EM, Whitsett TL, Shepard JD, Lovallo WR "Influence of grapefruit juice on caffeine pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics." Pharmacotherapy 16 (1996): 1046-52

Switch to consumer interaction data

Therapeutic duplication warnings

Therapeutic duplication is the use of more than one medicine from the same drug category or therapeutic class to treat the same condition. This can be intentional in cases where drugs with similar actions are used together for demonstrated therapeutic benefit. It can also be unintentional in cases where a patient has been treated by more than one doctor, or had prescriptions filled at more than one pharmacy, and can have potentially adverse consequences.

Duplication

Acetaminophen

Therapeutic duplication

The recommended maximum number of medicines in the 'acetaminophen' category to be taken concurrently is usually one. Your list includes two medicines belonging to the 'acetaminophen' category:

  • Americet (acetaminophen/butalbital/caffeine)
  • Liquicet (acetaminophen/hydrocodone)

Note: In certain circumstances, the benefits of taking this combination of drugs may outweigh any risks. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or dosage.

See also

Report options

Loading...
QR code containing a link to this page

Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

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

Medical Disclaimer