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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking acetaminophen, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine (Panlor SS, Trezix, Zerlor)?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to acetaminophen (Tylenol) or dihydrocodeine, or if you have a stomach condition called paralytic ileus, or severe or uncontrolled asthma.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had alcoholic liver disease (cirrhosis) or if you drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day. You may not be able to take medicine that contains acetaminophen.

Dihydrocodeine may be habit forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Never share acetaminophen, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.

To make sure you can safely take this medicine, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• sleep apnea or other breathing disorders;
• liver or kidney disease;
• a history of head injury or brain tumor;
• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
• low blood pressure;
• a stomach or intestinal disorder;
• underactive thyroid;
• a pancreas disorder;
• Addison's disease or other adrenal gland disorder;
• enlarged prostate, urination problems;
• curvature of the spine;
• mental illness; or
• a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether this medication is harmful to an unborn baby, but it could cause breathing problems or addiction/withdrawal symptoms in a newborn. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using acetaminophen, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine.

Dihydrocodeine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. The use of this medication by some nursing mothers may lead to life-threatening side effects in the baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take acetaminophen, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine (Panlor SS, Trezix, Zerlor)?

Take exactly as prescribed. Never take acetaminophen, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine in larger amounts, or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.

Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of acetaminophen can damage your liver or cause death.

Do not stop using acetaminophen, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using acetaminophen, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine.

This medication can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using acetaminophen, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using acetaminophen, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. Acetaminophen, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.

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