Vicodin
DESCRIPTION Vicodin
Drug Uses Vicodin
Vicodin is the brand name for the combination of acetaminophen (Tylenol)
and hydrocodone. Vicodin is prescribed for moderate to moderately severe
pain. Hydrocodone binds to the pain receptors in the brain so that the sensation
of pain is reduced. Acetaminophen halts the production of prostaglandins which
otherwise cause pain. Vicodin is available in tablet, capsule, and liquid
form and is taken every 4-6 hours by mouth. Since hydrocodone can be habit
forming, care must be taken to follow the doctor's instructions when taking
Vicodin. Do not take a larger dose, or take it more frequently, or take
it for longer than the doctor has prescribed.
Drug monograph "Vicodin"
Vicodin Addiction
Vicodin addiction is a growing crisis in the United States.
While illegal drugs like cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, and heroin
remain in the headlines many individuals may be surprised to know
that Vicodin addiction could lurk right behind them as one of the most
widely-abused drugs of addiction. In fact, the federal Drug Enforcement
Administration believes Vicodin may be the most abused prescription drug
in the country. Nationwide, its use has quadrupled in the last ten years,
while emergency room visits attributed to Vicodin abuse soared 500 percent.
Vicodin® is a narcotic that can produce a calm, euphoric state similar to heroin or
morphine--and despite such important and obvious benefits in pain relief,
evidence is pointing to chronic addiction. Pure hydrocodone, the narcotic in
Vicodin, is a Schedule II substance, closely controlled with restricted use. But
very few prescription drugs are pure hydrocodone. Instead, small amounts of are
mixed with other non-narcotic ingredients to create medicines like Vicodin
and Lortab. This means they can be classified under Schedule III with fewer
restrictions on their use and distribution.
Vicodin--one of more than 200 other products that contain hydrocodone - is regulated
by state and federal law, but it is not controlled as closely as other powerful
painkillers. The lack of regulation makes them vulnerable to widespread abuse
and addiction through forged prescriptions, theft, over-prescription, and "doctor
shopping." Vicodin pills have been sold for $2 to $10 per tablet and $20 to $40 per
8 oz bottle on the street.
Subject to individual tolerance, many medical experts believe dependence or
addiction can occur within one to four weeks at higher doses of Vicodin. Published
reports of high profile movie stars, TV personalities and professional athletes
who are recovering from Vicodin addiction are grim testimony to its debilitating
effects.
Vicodin is structurally related to codeine and is approximately equal in
strength to morphine in producing opiate-like effects. The first report
that Vicodin produced a noticeable euphoria and symptoms of addiction was
published in 1923; the first report of Vicodin addiction in the U.S. was
published in 1961.
Every age group has been affected by the relative ease of Vicodin
availability and the perceived safety of these products by professionals.
Sometimes seen as a "white-collar" addiction, Vicodin abuse has increased
]among all ethnic and economic groups. DAWN data demographics suggest that
the most likely Vicodin abuser is a 20-40 yr old, white, female, who uses
the drug because she is dependent or trying to commit suicide. However,
Vicodin-related deaths have been reported from every age grouping.
Examples of how severe Vicodin addiction has become:
An estimated 7 million dosage units were diverted in 1994 and over 11 million in 1997.
In 1998 there were over 56 million new prescriptions written for hydrocodone products
like Vicodin and by 2000 there were over 89 million. From 1990 the average
consumption nationwide has increased by 300%. In the same period there has
been a 500% increase in the number of Emergency Department visits attributed to
Vicodin abuse with 19,221 visits estimated in 2000. In 1997, there were over
1.3 million Vicodin tablets seized and analyzed by the DEA laboratory system.
Vicodin Information
Vicodin is a trade name for hydrocodone, which is an orally active analgesic
and antitussive Schedule II narcotic that is marketed in multi-ingredient
Schedule III products. Vicodin ® has an analgesic potency similar to or greater
than that of oral morphine. Sales and production of this drug have increased
significantly in recent years (a four-fold increase between 1990 and 2000), as
have diversion and illicit use. Other trade names for hydrocodone include Anexsia,
Hycodan, Hycomine, Lorcet, Lortab, Tussionex, Tylox, and Vicoprofen. These are
available as tablets, capsules, and/or syrups. Generally; this drug is abused
by oral rather than intravenous administration. Currently, about 20 tons of
hydrocodone products are used annually in the United States.
Vicodin abuse has been escalating over the last decade. There has been large
scale diversion of Vicodin and other hydrocodone drugs . For example, an
estimated 7 million dosage units were diverted in 1994 and over 11 million
in 1997. In 1998 there were over 56 million new prescriptions written for
hydrocodone products and by 2000 there were over 89 million. From 1990 the average
consumption nationwide has increased by 300%. In the same period there
has been a 500% increase in the number of Emergency Department visits
attributed to hydrocodone abuse with 19,221 visits estimated in 2000.
In 1997, there were over 1.3 million hydrocodone tablets seized and
analyzed by the DEA laboratory system. A recent petition submitted to
the DEA has requested a review of the control status of all hydrocodone-containing
products.
There are over 200 products containing hydrocodonein the U.S. In its most
usual product forms hydrocodone is combined with acetaminophen (Vicodin, Lortab),
but it is also combined with aspirin (Lortab ASA), ibuprofen (Vicoprofen), and
antihistamines (Hycomine). Both tablet and liquid forms of hydrocodone are
available (e.g., Tussionex).
Vicodin is abused for its opiate-like effects. It is similar to morphine in relieving
abstinence symptoms from chronic morphine administration. The Schedule III status
of hydrocodone-containing products has made them available to widespread
diversion by "bogus call-in prescriptions" and thefts. Three dosage forms are
typically found (5, 7.5, and 10 mg) and their behavioral effects can last up
to 5 hours. The drug is most often administered orally. The growing awareness
and concern about AIDS and blood-borne pathogens easily transmitted by syringe
needle use, has made the oral bioavailability of hydrocodone attractive to the
typical opiate abuser.
As with most opiates, the adverse effects of Vicodin abuse are dependence and
tolerance development. Its co-formulation with acetaminophen has also increased
the likelihood of acetaminophen-induced hepatic necrosis with high dose acute
dosing, but slow escalation of dose over time seems to protect the liver during
high dose chronic exposures seen with this drug.
Vicodin Side Effects
Vicodin has many side effects. Early comparisons concluded that Vicodin
and morphine were equivalent for pain control. However, it is now considered
that a dose of 15 mg (1/4 gr) of Vicodin ® is equivalent to 10 mg (1/6 gr) of
morphine. Vicodin is considered to be morphine-like in all respects.
Vicodin side effects include but are not limited to:
addiction allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;
swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives) anxiety blood in stool or vomit
bruising cold, clammy skin constipation decreased appetite decreased mental and
physical performance decreased sex drive difficulty breathing difficulty urinating
dizziness drowsiness dry throat diarrhea difficulty swallowing or breathing dry mouth
emotional dependence exaggerated feeling of depression extreme calm (sedation)
exaggerated sense of well-being or fear gas headache hoarseness indigestion itching
lightheadedness mental clouding mood changes nausea muscle twitches rash restlessness
ringing in the ears sedation seizures severe weakness or dizziness shortness of breath
slow, weak breathing sluggishness tightness in chest stomach cramps stomach pain
sweating swelling of hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, tongue, or ankles tiredness
unconsciousness unusual fatigue vomiting yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Missed Dose Vicodin
Vicodin is an effective antitussive (anti-cough) agent, and as an opiate
it is also an effective analgesic for mild to moderate pain control. Vicodin
abuse is an increasing trend in non-chronic pain suffering persons. The abuser
of these drugs has been shown not to be the inner city youth, but instead a famous
actor, a suburban real estate agent, or your next door neighbor. First time
abuse of these drugs has been surging, most commonly with the oxycodone and
Vicodin type painkillers. The two differ slightly in their chemical makeup but
have a similar effect on the body.
If a regular Vicodin user stops taking Vicodin, he or she will experience withdrawal
symptoms within six to twelve hours but the symptoms are usually not
life-threatening. The intensity of withdrawal symptoms from Vicodin depend on
the degree of the addiction. For example, the symptoms withdrawal from Vicodin
may grow stronger for twenty-four to seventy-two hours and then gradually decline
over a period of seven to fourteen days. The duration of withdrawal symptoms
from Vicodin varies greatly from person to person.
Vicodin ® withdrawal symptoms include but are not limited to:
intense cravings for the drug
irritability
nausea or vomiting
muscle aches
runny nose or eyes
dilated pupils
sweating
diarrhea
yawning
fevers
chills
inability to sleep
depression
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