What is APAP?
Have you ever heard of APAP? You may recognize it from getting prescriptions filled at your pharmacy. Let’s use Vicodin (aka Lortab) as an example because this is where I see the use of APAP the most!
The generic for Vicodin is hydrocodone/APAP and this generic name is what will show up on the label on your prescription bottle.
NOTE: The generic will be dispensed in place of the brand unless your doctor sates otherwise or if you request the brand to be dispensed (there may be limitations to dispensing the brand depending on which state you live in).
Hydrocodone will always come in combination with APAP or other drugs – it will not be dispensed by prescription as an individual ingredient.
So the answer to the question is….APAP stands for Tylenol (acetaminophen). I could explain where researchers came up with the shorthand APAP, but it’s just not that interesting!
It is important to know what APAP is because there is a good chance someone would take OTC Tylenol in addition to their Vicodin to help ease their pain. If you take APAP with Vicodin, you can reach the maximum daily dose of Tylenol (4000mg) very quickly. Going over the daily maximum amount of Tylenol can be very bad for your liver! ***Tylenol update***
So, if I were taking Vicodin, I would not take OTC Tylenol for extra pain relief – I’d stick with Advil (ibuprofen) or Aleve. If you get a prescription for Vicodin, be sure to ask your pharmacist how much APAP you’ll be taking in per day. Quite often, if taken as prescribed, you’d be getting too much APAP from the Vicodin as it is.
Now that you know what APAP stands for, please be cautious!
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