What Is Vicodin?

“Vicodin, the brand name for the compound that includes hydrocodone, a narcotic, and acetaminophen, was approved by the FDA in 1983.” Hydrocodone is a prescription narcotic that can be combined with acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, to form a powerful pain-killer.  This compound is available as a generic drug and under brand names like Vicodin, Lorcet, Lortab and Norco. When hydrocodone enters the body, it binds to opioid receptors located in the brain and along the spinal cord. This relieves discomfort by blocking out the body’s natural response to pain. Although hydrocodone is technically an “anti-tussin,” or cough suppressant, it is prescribed almost exclusively to treat severe pain. When acetaminophen and hydrocodone are combined, the compound treats pain more effectively than either medicine does individually.  The hydrocodone-acetaminophen compound is most commonly found in tablet form. Each tablet combines two point five to ten milligrams of hydrocodone with three-hundred-twenty-five to seven-hundred-fifty milligrams of acetaminophen. Hydrocodone can be habit-forming, and can lead to both physical and psychological addiction.  As a result, the compound is classified by the U.S. Government as a Schedule III drug, which means it is more tightly regulated than most medications.  Dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, and constipation are some commonly reported side effects of hydrocodone with acetaminophen, but ask your doctor for a complete list.  Tell your doctor immediately if you experience, black or bloody stools, irregular breathing, a change in your urine, yellowish skin, or any other significant change.  Hydrocodone should not be taken with opioid antagonists, like Naltrexone, sedatives, MAO Inhibitors, or alcohol. Ask your doctor for a full list of medications and conditions that should not be combined with hydrocodone.  Vicodin often help people cope with severe pain. However, hydrocodone must always be used under the direct care of a physician. Please ask for and review all of the patient information provided by your doctor before taking hydrocodone with acetaminophen. “The information in this video is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise of your physician.  Always consult your doctor before using this drug.”