Vicodin drug description

Vicodin contains hydrocodone and acetaminophen, where both drugs work as opioid pain medication that activates and binds opioid receptors to treat moderate to severe pain.

Important Information

• It is a highly addictive drug and can cause trouble if used without consulting your physician.
• Using Vicodin might not be that safe for you if you are below 18 years of age.
• Vicodin can interfere with the body’s normal functioning; therefore, you may need certain medical tests while using Vicodin.
• Keep your medicine with yourself and never share your medicine with anyone, especially those with a history of drug abuse or addiction.
• Abrupt withdrawal of the medicine can adversely affect your health; therefore, you should consult your doctor before leaving Vicodin. Your doctor will gradually decrease your medicine dose to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
• You can buy the medicine, provided that you bear an appropriate prescription from a doctor. It is because buying or selling without a proper prescription is strictly prohibited under the law, and authorities may hold you liable for some punishment if you do so.
• In addition to all other necessary precautions, you should avoid making medical errors and try to be consistent throughout the treatment.

What to know before taking Vicodin?

Vicodin activates opioid receptors in the brain and nervous system and helps to treat moderate to severe pain. However, to make treatment effective, you should take care of certain precautions while taking Vicodin. You should consider the following things before starting your treatment with Vicodin:

• Avoid taking Vicodin if you are allergic to it or any of its components or similar drugs.
• Taking Vicodin might not be that safe or effective if you have or ever had the following health disorders:
  • Breathing problem
  • Sleep apnea
  • Liver disease
  • Addiction to drugs or alcohol
  • Kidney disease
  • Head injuries
  • Seizures
  • Urination problem
  • Thyroid
  • Problem in pancreas
  • Problem with gallbladder
  • Symptoms of serotonin syndrome
  • Blockage in the stomach or intestine
• You can not take Vicodin if you are an alcoholic or drug addict.
• Expecting women and lactating mothers should avoid taking Vicodin; it can harm their children and make them dependent on the medicine.
• Using Vicodin during pregnancy can cause congenital disabilities to your child.
• Consult your physician to learn more about the risks and benefits associated with Vicodin.

How to take Vicodin?

Vicodin is an opioid medication and is the first-choice treatment for pain and opioid dependence when other medicines don’t work well enough.

• However, it can adversely affect your health if taken inappropriately.
• You should take your medicine as prescribed by your doctor and follow all the necessary directions and instructions as given on the medicine or prescription label.
• We also advise you to tell your health expert if you are not observing any improvement in your health condition.

Vicodin side effects

Using Vicodin can help you to treat pain but can cause the following side effect:

• Drowsiness or dizziness
• Headache
• Upset stomach
• Constipation
• Blurred vision
• Dry mouth

Experiencing these mild side effects symptoms are apparent, but you should consult your doctor if these mild side effects are unbearable or making your life too complicated. You should also stop taking Vicodin and seek emergency medical assistance ASAP if you experience the following health issues while taking medicine

• Noisy breathing
• Sighing
• Slow or shallow breathing
• Sleep apnea (breathing that stops while sleeping)
• Lightheadedness
• Confusion
• Mood swings or behavior disorder
• Seizures or convulsions
• Easy bruising or bleeding
• Infertility (both in men and women)
• Irregular menstruation cycle
• Impotence or any other sexual disorder
• Damaged liver resulting in nausea or vomiting, pain in the upper stomach, itching, loss of appetite, dark-colored urine, jaundice, clay-colored urine
• Low cortisol level in the body resulting in loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, tiredness, weakness, dizziness