Pyregesic-C and Methemoglobinemia/hypotension

• Generic Name: acetaminophen / codeine
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Tylenol with Codeine #3, Tylenol with Codeine #4, EZ III, Phenaphen with Codeine, Tylenol with Codeine, Capital and Codeine Suspension, Tylenol with Codeine #2, Vopac, Cocet, Cocet Plus, Capital w/Codeine, Tylenol w/ Codeine

Acetaminophen and codeine combination is used to relieve mild to moderate pain.

Acetaminophen is used to relieve pain and reduce fever in patients. It does not become habit-forming when taken for a long time. But acetaminophen may cause other unwanted effects when taken in large doses, including serious liver damage. Although rare, use of acetaminophen has been reported to lead to liver transplantation and death, usually at high doses and when multiple acetaminophen-containing products have been used.

Codeine belongs to the group of medicines called narcotic analgesics (pain medicines). It acts on the central nervous system (CNS) to relieve pain.

When codeine is used for a long time, it may become habit-forming, causing mental or physical dependence. However, people who have continuing pain should not let the fear of dependence keep them from using narcotics to relieve their pain. Mental dependence (addiction) is not likely to occur when narcotics are used for this purpose. Physical dependence may lead to withdrawal side effects if treatment is stopped suddenly. However, severe withdrawal side effects can usually be prevented by gradually reducing the dose over a period of time before treatment is stopped completely.

This medicine is available only under a restricted distribution program called the Opioid Analgesic REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy) program .