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Vicodin (Hydrocodone or dihydrocodeinone and acetominophen, not to be confused with dihydrocodeine) is a selective pain killer commonly seen as a white tablet with the name "Vicodin", "Vicodin ES", or "Vicodin HP" imprinted on one side. It shares its characteristics with many other drugs in chemistry and form; such drugs are also pain killers and may be marketed as Anexsia, Anolor DH5, Bancap HC, Dolacet, Lorcet, Lortab, Vadunk, Norco, T-Gesic, Vicodin, or Zydone.

Manufacturers

Manufacturers of Vicodin (generic or otherwise) include: Abbott Laboratories (mfg. non-generic), Allscripts Healthcare Solutions LLC, Amerisource Health Services Corp, Cardinal Health, Drx Pharmaceutical Consultants Inc, Eckerd Corp, Hospira Inc, Knoll Laboratories Div Knoll Pharmaceutical Co, Mallinckrodt Pharm. Quality Care, Pdrx Pharmaceuticals Inc, Physicians Total Care Inc, Rx Pak Div of Mckesson Corp, Sandhills Packaging Inc and Watson Labs. Generic Vicodin by some of the aforementioned manufacturers is often substituted by pharmacies for prescriptions for Genuine Vicodin from Abbott Labs. The generic prescriptions are much more affordable for consumers. ^[1] Aggregated, Vicodin production reportedly approaches 20 tons annually.

In the United States, Vicodin production is regulated in part by the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. This guarantees that all manufacturing, importing, possession, and distribution of drugs is to be looked over and regulated by the federal government which is also responsible (along with the Department of Justice and state governments) for the conviction and sentencing of anyone who breaks drug laws. ^[2]

Scheduling

Vicodin was put into Schedule III along with anabolic steroids, ketamine, paregoric, Xyrem, Marinol, and hydrocodone/codeine (when "compounded with an NSAID" or with paracetamol); these drugs have high psychological dependence and low to medium physical addiction. ^[3]

Surgery

Vicodin is most commonly prescribed for persons experiencing pain after surgery or intense pain. It helps calm a person down and increases his or her ability to relax and forget about painful ailments, which speeds recovery.^{[citation needed]}

Interactions and contraindications

Drugs that should be avoided in order to decrease the chance of side effects are isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or other monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) 14 days prior to use. Acetaminophen should also be avoided so as to decrease chances of damage to the liver. In addition, alcohol increases the drowsiness already caused by Vicodin and may result in unconsciousness or, in a severe case, death. Alcohol in moderate to high doses can also cause liver failure if taken with Vicodin due to the acetaminophen. Aside from alcohol, other drugs that induce drowsiness should also be avoided (e.g., antidepressants, antihistamines, pain killers, muscle relaxants, etc.) so as to decrease chances of contracting Vicodin's severe side effects. Furthermore, if a person experiences Addison's Disease, kidney disease, gallbladder diseases, liver disease, complications with the thyroid, severe head injuries, asthma, or alcohol abuse, Vicodin should not be taken for fear of worsening the condition.

Use during pregnancy and lactation

The Food and Drug Administration has put Vicodin in category C. This category includes any and all drugs which have not been tested in pregnancies therefore the effects of the drug on newborns have not been determined. The FDA does ensure a warning to breastfeeding mothers telling them that Vicodin does pass into breast milk, which can have adverse effects on nursing babies.

Side effects

Side effects for Vicodin include an allergic reaction, weak breathing, seizures, clammy skin, severe weakness, dizziness, hyperventilation, unconsciousness, yellowing of eyes or skin, unusual fatigue, bleeding, or bruising, constipation, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, muscle twitches, sweating, itching, tinnitus, hearing loss, decreased urination, and decreased sex drive. ^[4] Vicodin (in terms of hydrocodone) also has depressant effects on the central nervous system. ^[5] However, some of the less mundane effects can be desirable effects that are sought after by some. Those effects include euphoria and drowsiness, as well as slowing the pulse.^[6] Vicodin has also been linked to causing stomach ulcers, although this is assumed to be due to the addition of other non-narcotic analgesics to hydrocodone preparations (e.g. APAP, aspirin, ibuprofen).

Overdose symptoms

Symptoms of a Vicodin overdose may include slow breathing, cold and clammy skin, dizziness, weakness, loss of consciousness, confusion, constricted pupils, tiredness, coma, nausea, vomiting, and sweating, and an overdose may lead to death. Vicodin overdose however, is also equated to being extremely high and without control of your body. As a result, the overdose victim will sometimes avoid seeking help.

References

External links

[1] ttp://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ndc/gettradename.cfm

[2] ttp://www.usdoj.gov/dea/agency/csa.htm

[3] ttp://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/scheduling.html

[4] ttp://www.oxyabusekills.com/Vicodin.html

[5] ttp://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/21cfr/cfr/1300/1300_01.htm

[side_effects-6] ttp://www.vicodin-addiction.net/vicodin-side-effects.htm

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 ==Side effects==
 Side effects for Vicodin include an [[allergy|allergic reaction]], weak breathing, [[seizures]], clammy skin, severe weakness, [[dizziness]], [[hyperventilation]], [[unconsciousness]], yellowing of eyes or skin, unusual [[fatigue (medical)|fatigue]], bleeding, or [[bruise|bruising]], [[constipation]], [[dry mouth]], [[nausea]], [[vomiting]], decreased appetite, muscle twitches, [[sweating]], [[itching]], [[tinnitus]], [[hearing loss]], decreased [[urination]], and decreased [[sex drive]]. <ref>http://www.oxyabusekills.com/Vicodin.html</ref> Vicodin (in terms of [[hydrocodone]]) also has [[depressant]] effects on the [[central nervous system]]. <ref>http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/21cfr/cfr/1300/1300_01.htm</ref> However, some of the less mundane effects can be desirable effects that are sought after by some. Those effects include [[Euphoria (emotion)|euphoria]] and [[drowsiness]], as well as slowing the pulse.<ref name="side effects">http://www.vicodin-addiction.net/vicodin-side-effects.htm</ref>
-Vicodin has also been linked to causing stomach ulcers, although this is assumed to be due to the addition of other non-narcotic analgesics to hydrocodone preparations (e.g. [[APAP]], [[aspirin]], [[ibuprofen]]).
+Vicodin has also been linked to causing stomach ulcers, although this is assumed to be due to the addition of other non-narcotic analgesics to hydrocodone preparations (e.g. [[Paracetamol|APAP]], [[aspirin]], [[ibuprofen]]).
 ==Overdose symptoms==