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What Causes Green Stools After Taking Hydrocodone And Acetaminophen?

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Posted on Wed, 24 May 2017
Question: I have been taking 7.5 Hydrocrodone/tylonel for back pain and stopped 6 days ago. I have had green stools for about two weeks. Would that medication have any cause? Evil medication especially withdrawal. I am now eating and have had no recent nausea. Stenosis of back scheduled for surgery and the pain is +10.
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Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (56 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

I am sorry you are in so much pain. I encourage you to talk with your doctor about an alternative to the hydrocodone/acetaminophen for diminishing your pain. There are other options.

In terms of the green stool, providing your digestion is otherwise normal now, it usually is not cause for concern. The green color can be from the "transit" time of food moving through increasing, so that there isn't a chance for bile pigments to get broken down. This happens when people have diarrhea. If that doesn't seem like what is going on, it may be from foods, especially leafy greens, or supplements you are taking that have a green color to them. Some medications such as Indomethacin or Iron can cause it too. Antibiotics can also change the color by changing the balance of bacteria in the gut. Hydrocodone and Tylenol do not typically cause this, and I expect if your digestion has returned to normal since discontinuing it that it isn't the cause.

If it continue to have the green color, mention it to your doctor, but it is usually harmless.

I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3133 Questions

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What Causes Green Stools After Taking Hydrocodone And Acetaminophen?

Brief Answer: Information Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome, I am sorry you are in so much pain. I encourage you to talk with your doctor about an alternative to the hydrocodone/acetaminophen for diminishing your pain. There are other options. In terms of the green stool, providing your digestion is otherwise normal now, it usually is not cause for concern. The green color can be from the "transit" time of food moving through increasing, so that there isn't a chance for bile pigments to get broken down. This happens when people have diarrhea. If that doesn't seem like what is going on, it may be from foods, especially leafy greens, or supplements you are taking that have a green color to them. Some medications such as Indomethacin or Iron can cause it too. Antibiotics can also change the color by changing the balance of bacteria in the gut. Hydrocodone and Tylenol do not typically cause this, and I expect if your digestion has returned to normal since discontinuing it that it isn't the cause. If it continue to have the green color, mention it to your doctor, but it is usually harmless. I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.