What is the Pill Marked IP 115 and is it Safe?

The pill marked IP 115 is a narcotic analgesic and a schedule II-controlled substance in the United States of America used to treat back pain, general body pain, and cough. It is a white capsule that contains acetaminophen and hydrocodone bitartrate in different concentrations. It is only available to the public through prescription.

It is possible to come across a pill marked IP 115 and not know what it is or what it works for, as it is not a common medication that can be gotten over the counter. Its availability is restricted majorly due to the possibility of abusing the drug and the widespread of counterfeit drugs using the same imprint. Its safety for use during pregnancy is not guaranteed; therefore, you have to consult your doctor before using this medication.

This article will provide information about the pill marked IP 115, describing its physical attributes, its use for the treatment of pain, the possibility of abusing it, its safety for different individuals, its interaction with other medications, how it works, and affects the body, its side effects, and how to identify counterfeit IP 115 pills.

What is the IP 115 Pill?

The IP 115 pill is a narcotic analgesic combination drug used to treat pain, back pain, headache, osteoarthritis, and cough. It contains two active ingredients, acetaminophen – an analgesic – and hydrocodone bitartrate – a narcotic analgesic. The two analgesics in the IP 115 pill helps to effectively dull the sensation of pain in affected individuals, helping them continue with their daily activities without the interference of discomfort caused by pain.

In the past, narcotic analgesic combinations were used to treat all types of pain, accounting for the widespread addiction to this type of drug. They should be used to treat short-term pain, as in the types one has after surgeries, or as a result of a medical condition. However, these days, they are mostly used to treat chronic pain and are used for short-term treatment.

The IP 115 pill is white and has a capsule shape. In front of the pill, the imprint “IP 115” is prominent, while the rear of the pill is blank but has an indentation that runs across its length. The indentation is meant to help break the pill into two halves when following your doctor’s prescription.

Acetaminophen in the IP 115 pill is 325 mg and the hydrocodone bitartrate is 7.5 mg. The presence of a narcotic analgesic in this combination drug makes it a controlled substance as it is easy to get dependent on its effect on the nervous system, leading to the abuse of the drug and the consequential withdrawal symptom when its use should be stopped. For this reason, the IP 115 pill is only available as a prescription drug, and despite that, it is considered one of the most overprescribed and overused prescription drugs in the United States of America.

How the IP 115 Pill works and Affect the Human Body

Regular analgesics, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen work by inhibiting the activity of the enzyme, cyclo-oxygenase which produces prostaglandins. They interfere with the inflammation, fever, and pain associated with conditions such as headaches, coughs, and general pain, caused by the prostaglandins. However, narcotic analgesics work by attaching themselves to the opioid receptors which are abundant in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). They can also be found in the stomach and the lungs, making them effective in stopping pain in these areas.

The narcotic analgesic combination drug marked IP 115, employs both the regular analgesic drugs and narcotic analgesic drugs’ mode of actions to address pain. Each active ingredient attaches to the site where they exert their effects and soothe the pain sensation, fever, and inflammation that may have occurred. That is, they bind with the opioid receptors in the brain, spinal cord, lungs, and stomach, and inhibit the activities of the COX enzymes, stopping the production of prostaglandins.

The downside to its effectiveness and mode of actions is that the opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord are also responsible for pleasurable sensations and addictive behaviors; therefore, after some time of using a dosage of narcotic analgesic combinations, the receptors get used to it, and need an increased dosage to deal with pain, hence their propensity for addiction and abuse.

IP 115 Dosage Information

Acetaminophen and hydrocodone bitartrate combination drugs are available in different concentrations, ranging from 325 mg – 5mg to 650 mg – 10 mg. The best source for the right dosage of narcotic analgesic combination drug for a patient is from a doctor. There are adjustments that may be needed for your dosage, depending on other health conditions you may have.

Oral tablets of IP 115 pill for adults can be used every 4 to 6 hours, daily, at 1 or 2 pills, for the initial dose. However, you should not exceed 6 tablets in 24 hours. For oral suspension, a maximum dose of 90 mL in 24 hours is recommended.

Dosages based on age and body weight are best given by a doctor. Do not depend on online dosage advice for medications such as IP 115.

Side Effects of IP 115 Pill

As is common with the mildest of medications, there are side effects to using the IP 115 pill. For this reason, it is best to put patients under observation for about 72 hours after their initial dosage. Some of the side effects of using IP 115 include:

• Sore throat
• Nausea
• Skin rashes and itching
• Severe stomach pain
• Fast heartbeat
• Mental depression
• Respiratory depression
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea

Note that this list of side effects does not cover all the possible side effects you may experience with IP 115. If you feel any form of discomfort, consult your doctor immediately.

How to Spot Real and Fake IP 115 Pill

Due to the proliferation of pharmacies, drug stores, and street corners with fake medications, including narcotic analgesic combination drugs such as IP 115, it is necessary to know how to differentiate the real drugs from the fakes.

One of the ways to know the real drugs is to carry out a fentanyl test on the drugs you have purchased. It is known that many illegal drug manufacturers include fentanyl in the drugs they produce, exposing the public to the dangers associated with consuming fentanyl. Follow these steps to test your IP 115 to ascertain its authenticity.

• Purchase a fentanyl strip from any pharmacy or drug store.
• Dissolve one IP 115 pill in a glass of water and stir
• Dip one end of the test strip in the solution and hold the blue end of the strip
• Let the strip remain in the solution for about 20 seconds and retrieve it.
• Leave it on a platform for 60 seconds and check for red lines on the strip.
• If the strip shows one red line, close to the blue end, it means the pill tests positive to fentanyl. If it shows two red lines, it tests negative to fentanyl. If there is no red line, or the red line is further away from the blue end of the strip, the test is inconclusive.

Conclusion

The pill, IP 115 is a narcotic analgesic combination used to treat chronic pain. It is a controlled substance due to its propensity for abuse and addiction. Its safety during pregnancy is not guaranteed and the right dosage for an individual patient is best given by a doctor.