Vicodin Addiction – Vicodin Medical Facts

Vicodin contains the following ingredients: Hydrocodone, Bitartrate and Acetaminophen. Vicodin is prescribed for relief from moderate to moderately severe pain. Vicodin combines a narcotic pain killer and cough reliever with a non-narcotic analgesic to accomplish this. Vicodin can be very habit forming, along with any other Hydrocodone base drug. If Vicodin is taken over a long period of time, a person will become mentally and physically dependant upon it, and may find that larger dosages are required to get the desired effect.

Vicodin - Side Effects

Possible side effects of taking Vicodin may include dizziness, light-headedness, nausea, sedation and vomiting. If any of these Vicodin side effects occur, it is usually a good idea to lie down after taking this medication.

Vicodin – Recommended Dosage

For ADULTS, your doctor will prescribe the dosage of Vicodin to be taken according to the severity of the pain that you are experiencing. All forms of Vicodin are to be taken every 4 to 6 hours, as needed for the pain. A usual dose of Vicodin is 1 to 2 tablets, up to a maximum of 8 tablets per day.

Vicodin for CHILDREN should not be taken, since the safety and effectiveness of Vicodin has not been established.

Vicodin - Warnings

Vicodin has a tendency to make you drowsy and less alert, therefore you should be careful when driving or operating machinery or any other dangerous activity until you know how Vicodin affects you. If you have a head injury, Vicodin can exaggerate the affects of this injury and thus interfere with any treatment that you are receiving for your head injury. This is due to the fact that narcotics tend to increase the pressure of the fluid within the skull. Vicodin should also be used with caution if you have a sever liver or kidney disorder, Addison’s disease, an under active thyroid gland, and enlarged prostate, or urethral stricture (narrowing of the tube carrying urine from the bladder).

Hydrocodone, the main ingredient in Vicodin, slows down the nervous system. Using alcohol while taking Vicodin can intensify the effects of Vicodin, therefore they should not be used together. If Hydrocodone (Vicodin) is to be taken with other drugs, be sure that your doctor is aware of this, since it can be dangerous to your health.

Vicodin - Overdose

Vicodin Overdose, like any Overdoes is a serious problem. Any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. A severe overdose of Vicodin can be fatal. If you suspect an overdose from Vicodin, contact an emergency medical treatment center immediately. Symptoms of a Vicodin overdose may include: Cold or Clammy Skin; Skin color on the blue side; Extreme sleepiness progressing to a state of unresponsiveness or coma; Body discomfort; Hearing impairment; Heart problems; Heavy perspiration; Kidney problems; Limp muscles; Liver failure; Low blood pressure; Nausea; Slow heart rate, Troubled or slowed breathing; Blood disorders; Vomiting. Again, if you suspect a Vicodin overdose, contact an emergency medical treatment center immediately.

For more information on Vicodin or Vicodin Addiction and how we can help, call us at 1-800-468-6933.