Patient Education - Medications
Commonly Prescribed Medications after Surgery
Thank you for choosing Augusta University Medical Center and the Minimally Invasive and Digestive Diseases Surgery Section at the Medical College of Georgia for your healthcare needs. This information is to help answer come common questions you may have about your operation and provide instructions to follow during your recovery period.
- Click here for more detailed information on commonly prescribed medications.
Avoid driving until you no longer need narcotic pain medication and you feel you can make rapid movements unimpaired by pain. Driving while taking narcotics can impair your ability to drive safely.
It is very important to us that your pain be well controlled. Your pain should be controlled well enough for you to begin getting out of bed the morning after surgery and for you to perform deep breathing exercises. If you have pain that is not well enough controlled to allow you to walk or breathe deeply, talk to your surgery team. You may need to have your pain medications changed or increased.
Pain Medications |
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Percocet: |
(oxycodone/acetaminophen) |
| Dosing: | 5/7.5/10mg with 325mg acetaminophen (Tylenol) |
| Side Effects: |
Constipation - Take any prescribed stool softeners or laxatives as directed Do not take more than prescribed. Overdose could cause you to stop breathing. |
Lortab, Vicodin: |
(hydrocodone bitartrate/acetaminophen) |
| Dosing: | 5/7.5/10mg with 325mg acetaminophen. Note: Vicoden contains more acetaminophen than Lortab so be sure to read the label on the drug bottle to check the exact amount of acetaminophen. |
| Side Effects: | Constipation - Take any prescribed stool softeners or laxatives as directed Drowsiness - Do not drive or use heavy machinery while taking hydrocodone Nausea - Take with food to decrease nausea, vomiting and upset stomach Liver toxicity Do not take other Tylenol (acetaminophen)-containing drugs Respiratory depression Do not take more than prescribed. Overdose could cause you to stop breathing. |
Tylenol with Codeine: |
(acetaminophen/codeine) Typically referred to as T3. |
| Dosing: | Each tablet contains 300mg of acetaminophen and 30mg of codeine. |
| Side Effects: | Constipation - Take any prescribed stool softeners or laxatives as directed Drowsiness - Do not drive or use heavy machinery while taking T3 Nausea - Take with food to decrease nausea, vomiting and upset stomach Liver toxicity - Do not take other Tylenol (acetaminophen)-containing drugs |
Dilaudid: |
(hydromorphone) |
| Dosing: | 1mg, 2mg, 3mg, 4mg, 8mg tablets |
| Side Effects: | Constipation - Take any prescribed stool softeners or laxatives as directed Drowsiness - Do not drive or use heavy machinery while taking hydromorphone Nausea - Take with food to decrease nausea, vomiting and upset stomach Respiratory depression Do not take more than prescribed. Overdose could cause you to stop breathing. |
Toradol: |
(ketoralac) |
| Dosing: | 10mg tablet |
| Side Effects: | Kidney injury Usually only taken for 3 to 5 days Upset stomach Can cause gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining) or ulcers Nausea Take with food to decrease nausea, vomiting and upset stomach |
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Ultram: |
(tramadol) |
| Dosing: | 50mg tablet, 100mg in extended release tablet only |
| Side Effects: | Nausea - Take with food to decrease nausea, vomiting and upset stomach Diarrhea Dry mouth Constipation - Take any prescribed stool softeners or laxatives as directed Drowsiness - Do not drive or use heavy machinery while taking tramadol |
Anti-nausea Medications (Antiemetics) |
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Phenergan: |
(promethazine) |
| Dosing: | 12.5mg, 25mg, 50mg tablets, 12.5mg, 25mg, 50mg suppositories |
| Side Effects: | Drowsiness - Do not drive or use heavy machinery while taking promethazine Dry mouth Blurred vision |
Zofran: |
(odansetron) |
| Dosing: | 4mg, 8mg tablets |
| Side Effects: | Dizziness Upset stomach Constipation, diarrhea, and/or cramping Dry mouth |
Reglan: |
(metaclopromide) |
| Dosing: | 5mg, 10mg tablets |
| Side Effects: | Drowsiness Do not drive or use heavy machinery while taking metoclopramide Diahhrea Skin rash Tardive dyskinesia - A rare side effect causing repetitive lip-smacking movements |
Bowel Care - Constipation |
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Colace: |
(docusate) Stool Softener |
| Dosing: | 50mg, 100mg, 240mg, 250mg capsules |
| Side Effects: | Abdominal cramping Diarrhea Bitter taste |
Dulcolax: |
(bisacodyl) Stimulant Laxative |
| Dosing: | 5mg, 10mg tablets |
| Side Effects: | Cramping abdominal pain Diarrhea Nausea Dependence if used for long periods of time |
Senokot-S: |
(senna) Stimulant Laxative |
| Dosing: | 8.6mg, 17.2mg tablets |
| Side Effects: | Cramping abdominal pain Diarrhea Dehydration Dependence if used for long periods of time |
Miralax: |
(polyethylene glycol 3350) Osmotic Laxative |
| Dosing: | 17 gram packet dissolved in 8 ounces of beverage such as juice or water |
| Side Effects: | Cramping abdominal pain Diarrhea Dehydration Dependence if used for long periods of time |
Constilac, Cholac: |
(lactulose) |
| Dosing: | 10-20 grams or 15-30mL (1-2 tablespoons) per day |
| Side Effects: | Cramping abdominal pain Diarrhea Nausea Excess gas Dependence if used for long periods of time AVOID if you are lactose intolerant |
Diarrhea |
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Imodium: |
(loperamide) |
| Dosing: | 2mg tablets or capsules |
| Side Effects: | Dry mouth Abdominal bloating Nausea Constipation Urinary retention |
Lomotil: |
(diphenoxylate hydrochloride/atropine sulfate) |
| Dosing: | 2.5/0.025mg |
| Side Effects: | Dizziness Drowsiness Do not drive or use heavy machinery while taking lomotil Dry mouth Upset stomach Bloating |
