Is Vicodin dosage all you would like to know about? Why not abreast yourself with the use of this drug, its side effects and precautions to be followed before its use…
So as I was saying, merely knowing about the Vicodin dosage is not enough, as with it comes a lot of other factors such as side effects, dangers of overdose, and precautions or considerations before starting this medication.
What is Vicodin?
Patients suffering from certain medical conditions which give rise to mild to moderate pain, are prescribed this drug. It is known to belong from the narcotic family of drugs, and this is the reason it is treated as a controlled substance, whose use is governed by special laws and regulations.
How Does Vicodin Work
The working of this drug depends upon what it is made of. Two agents namely, hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen are known to be the constituents of this drug. The former constituent is a narcotic agent that deals with pain and symptoms of coughing. The latter is also a narcotic substance, but helps in relieving pain and reducing fever. The reason these two drugs are combined is the fact that hydrocodone adds to the efficacy of acetaminophen, and at the same time, the abuse potential of hydrocodone is reduced.
Recommended Vicodin Dosage
According to experts, the normal Vicodin dosage for adults, which is of the strength 5/500mg, should be 1-2 pills for every 4-6 hours when the need arises. If we speak of the maximum dosage, then doctors strictly recommend that it must not exceed the limit of 8 pills in a day time (24 hours).
Some patients are also prescribed with Vicodin ES, whose strength is 7.5/750 mg. Now the dosage for this is 1 pill for 4-6 hours, and the maximum must not go beyond 5 within a span of 24 hours.
For Vicodin with a greater strength (10/660 mg), the dosage is again 1 pill every 4-6 hours. Exceeding 6 pills a day may give rise to an overdose.
Side Effects
Although there may be a few side effects, they are generally tolerated well by users. The common ones include:
- Nausea/vomiting
- Stomach problem such as constipation
- Spell of dizziness, lightheadedness and drowsiness
Overdose Side Effects
The chances of overdose remains high with this prescription medicine, and still more, because it is a combination of two drugs. The common symptoms of overdose are:
- Breathing problems, which might be accompanied by a slow pulse
- The skin may get cold and clammy
- Drowsiness may set in, and sometimes to such as extent that it may end up in coma
- Hypotension may be a result of overdose, and cardiac arrest too
- In rare cases, the user may even lose his life due an extreme overdose
To conclude, if you are prescribed with Vicodin, it is imperative for you to inform your healthcare provider if you have any kind of liver or kidney disorder, if you are suffering from any kind of abdominal pain or have suffered some kind of head injury, or if you have problems such as hypothyroidism, Addison’s disease, enlarged prostate or any kind of allergies. Pregnant women and nursing mothers must take extra precaution while using Vicodin.
