What is Vicodin

A prescription medicine, Vicodin is a drug that is recommended to treat various painful conditions. It belongs to the narcotic class of medicines.

Abbott Laboratories are known to be the manufacturers of Vicodin – a narcotic medicine that is prescribed to deal with painful symptoms. It is medically approved by law, and due its narcotic nature its use is governed by special laws and regulations.

What is Vicodin Used for?

To manage symptoms of mild to moderate pain, patients are prescribed with this drug. It, however, does provide a long-term treatment for a chronic condition, but not in all cases. All it does is reduce short term pain that may be caused as a result of surgery, injury, any kind of dental procedure, etc. Migraines is also included in the list of the conditions that is treatable by the drug. Now how does this drug works in the body to relieve the pain? For this we have to know about what it is made of. The two constituents of the drug are hydrocodone and acetaminophen. The first agent is helpful in reducing pain and coughing. And acetaminophen is also a painkiller, and fever reducer. The reason hydrocodone is used in combination with acetaminophen, is to increase the efficacy of the latter. Also, the aim of the combination is to cut the abuse potential of the hydrocodone.

What are its Side Effects?

Not all who use Vicodin, experience side effects, and even if they do, they tolerate them well. Also, the side effects are not so severe that they would give rise to critical conditions. Common side effects which are observed include:

• Nausea, vomiting
• Constipation
• Lightheadedness
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Urinary disorders
• Breathing difficulty
• Stomach pain
• Fainting
• Mood changes
• Abnormal changes
• Blurred vision
• Tinnitus
• Dry mouth
• Headache

Precautions
It is always imperative that you understand the warnings and precautions before using any kind of medicine. With drugs like Vicodin, the precautions must be exercised so as to prevent any kind of addiction. And these precautions can be understood better, if the patient provides all possible information about his/her medical history to the health care provider. Precautions are to be taken in case:

• The patient is suffering from diseases of the kidney and/or lungs
• The patient has had suffered injury to his head
• The patient is suffering from hypothyroidism, stomach pain or Addison’s disease
• The patient has or has a history of brain tumor
• The patient is suffering from any kind of mental disorder or illness
• The patient is addicted to drugs or alcohol
• The patient suffers from allergies of any kind

Dosage
The dosage of this drug is highly individual, and depends on the person’s response to the drug, reactions with other medications and any underlying medical condition of the patient. The dosages are as follows:

Disclaimer: The information that has been provided in this article is no substitute for what the doctor would advise. So to use the drug safely and effectively, always go for professional guidance.

What is the difference Between Percocet and Vicodin?

Both these drugs belong the same class of medicines and are used to treat pain. They are similar in almost all respects, expect in their constituents. Percocet is made of acetaminophen and oxycodone hydrochloride, while has hydrocodone and acetaminophen, as its constituents.

To remind you again, Vicodin is a prescription drug and is controlled by laws and regulations, given its tendency to trigger potential abuse in the user. This is why it is imperative for you to understand the importance of consuming it only after consulting a doctor and in the right dosages.