Ultracet

The analgesic in this medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that slow down the nervous system, possibly causing drowsiness). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, other allergies, or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine; other prescription pain medicine or narcotics; opioids; barbiturates; medicine for seizures; muscle relaxants; or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Also, there may be a greater risk of liver damage if you drink three or more alcoholic beverages while you are taking acetaminophen. Do not drink alcoholic beverages, and check with your medical doctor or dentist before taking any of the medicines listed above, while you are using this medicine.

This medicine may cause some people to become drowsy, dizzy, or less alert than they are normally. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur, especially when you get up suddenly from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help lessen this problem.

Nausea or vomiting may occur, especially after the first couple of doses. This effect may go away if you lie down for a while. However, if nausea or vomiting continues, check with your medical doctor or dentist. Lying down for a while may also help relieve some other side effects, such as dizziness or lightheadedness, that may occur.

Before having any kind of surgery (including dental surgery) or emergency treatment, tell the medical doctor or dentist in charge that you are taking this medicine.

Analgesics may cause dryness of the mouth. For temporary relief, use sugarless candy or gum, melt bits of ice in your mouth, or use a saliva substitute. However, if dry mouth continues for more than 2 weeks, check with your dentist. Continuing dryness of the mouth may increase the chance of dental disease, including tooth decay, gum disease, and fungus infections.

If you have been taking this medicine regularly , do not suddenly stop taking it without first checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to reduce gradually the amount you are taking before stopping completely, to lessen the chance of withdrawal side effects. This will depend on which of these medicines you have been taking, and the amount you have been taking every day.

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

• Rare
  • Burning, itching, and redness of skin; vomiting ;  chest pain;  cough; difficulty swallowing; dizziness; fast heartbeat; hives; itching; puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips or tongue; shortness of breath; skin rash; tightness in chest; unusual tiredness or weakness; wheezing;  seizures 
  
  

• Symptoms of Overdose

  If you think you, or someone else may have taken an overdose, get emergency help at once. Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur

  • Chest pain or discomfort;  convulsions ;  difficulty breathing 
  
  

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome.

• Less common
  • Abdominal pain;  aches, pains or weakness of muscles; numbness or tingling of hands, legs, and feet;  acid or sour stomach; belching; heartburn; indigestion; stomach discomfort ;  anxiety;  bloated full feeling; excess air or gas in stomach or intestines;  confusion;  constipation;  dizziness;  dry mouth;  false or unusual sense of well-being;  feeling of warmth; redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally the upper chest;  headache;  increased sweating;  increase in bowel movements; loose stools; soft stools;  itching skin;  loss of appetite; weight loss;  loss of strength or energy; muscle pain or weakness;  mood or mental changes;  nausea;  nervousness;  painful or difficult urination;  rash;  sleepiness or unusual drowsiness;  sleeplessness; trouble sleeping; unable to sleep;  unusual tiredness or weakness;  vomiting 
  
  

• Rare
  • Abnormal thinking;  bloody or black, tarry stools; vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds; sever stomach pain; constipation;  blurred vision; dizziness; severe or continuing, dull headache; pounding in the ears; slow or fast heartbeat;  change in vision;  chills; cold sweats; confusion; dizziness; faintness, or light-headedness when getting up from lying or sitting position;  continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in ears;  crying; depersonalization; dysphoria; euphoria; mental depression; paranoia; quick to react or overreact emotionally; rapidly changing moods ;  decreased awareness or responsiveness;  decrease in amount of urine;  decrease in urine volume; decrease in frequency of urination; difficulty in passing urine [dribbling]; painful urination;  depression ;  difficulty swallowing;  dizziness or lightheadedness; feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings; sensation of spinning;  drug abuse and dependence ;  fainting; fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse; palpitations;  feeling unusually cold; shivering ;  high or low blood pressure; dizziness; lightheadedness ;  increased muscle tone;  involuntary muscle contractions;  loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance; decreased interest in sexual intercourse; inability to have or keep an erection;  loss of memory; problems with memory;  loss of sense of reality;  morbid dreaming;  migraine headache;  seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there;  shakiness and unsteady walk; clumsiness, unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination;  shortness of breath; difficult or labored breathing; tightness in chest; wheezing ;  swelling of tongue;  trouble in holding or releasing urine; painful urination;  unusual tiredness or weakness;  weight loss;  yellow eyes or skin 
  
  

  After you stop using this medicine, your body may need time to adjust. The length of time this takes depends on which of these medicines you were taking, the amount of medicine you were using, and how long you used it. During this time check with your doctor if you notice any of the following side effects:

• Anxiety;  diarrhea;  fever, runny nose, or sneezing ;  gooseflesh;  increased sweating;  nausea or vomiting;  nervousness, restlessness, or irritability;  pain ;  seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there;  shivering or trembling;  trouble in sleeping 

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

In the U.S.—

Ultracet

• Analgesic