Liquid Lortab Side Effects

Liquid Lortab or Lortab Elixir contains a combination of a hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen. The medication blocks the transmission of pain signals to your brain and reduces the amount of certain chemicals known as prostaglandins, which also contribute to pain sensations. Despite its effectiveness at relieving moderate to severe pain, liquid Lortab poses a risk for side effects in some patients.

Withdrawal

• Related to morphine, hydrocodone bitrartrate has the potential to become habit-forming with long-term use, cautions the U.S. National Library of Medicine. If you develop a physical dependence upon the drug and then suddenly discontinue use, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as agitation, anxiety, muscle pain, insomnia, a runny nose, abdominal cramping, shivering, nausea and vomiting.

Cardiovascular

• Liquid Lortab may also cause side effects to your cardiovascular system, warns the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Patients may develop either a slow or rapid pulse rate or low blood pressure. More severe reactions are sudden cardiac arrest or circulatory collapse; the sudden inability of your heart to pump enough blood throughout your body.

Renal and Hepatic

• Use of liquid Lortab has the potential to cause toxic effects upon your kidney or liver, reports the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Symptoms of these dangerous reactions include bloody or dark urine, painful or frequent urination, lower back pain, pale stools, trembling and yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Neurological

• The use of liquid Lortab can cause a variety of neurological side effects including anxiety, dizziness, drowsiness, depression, malaise, lethargy and light-headedness. Because of these possible effects, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you know how the medication affects you, suggests the Mayo Clinic.

Gastrointestinal

• Some patients develop gastrointestinal side effects from liquid Lortab such as abdominal pain, constipation, heart burn, nausea and vomiting. Although unpleasant, these side effects pose little risk for long-term health. A more severe digestive system reaction to the drug is ulceration of your stomach or intestines, which may cause bleeding, warns the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Hematological

• A rare side effect of liquid Lortab is a shortage of blood cells, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. In some cases, this causes thrombocytopenia or low blood platelet levels, which causes easy bruising or bleeding or prolonged bleeding after an illness or injury. Patients may also experience shortages of oxygen-carrying red blood cells or aplastic anemia.

Respiratory

• Liquid Lortab has the potential to cause respiratory depression, a life-threatening condition that occurs when your body is unable to properly control your breathing. Drinking alcohol or taking medications that slow down your immune system--narcotic pain relievers, anti-seizure drugs, tranquilizers or sedatives--increases your risk of experiencing respiratory depression from Lortab.

Sensory

• Infrequently, patients who take liquid Lortab experience partial or complete hearing loss. In some cases, these effects are permanent, cautions the U.S. National Library of Medicine.