Vicodin Side Effects

Serious Adverse Side Effects

Vicodin | Hydrocodone Bitartrate/Acetaminophen has some serious adverse side effects associated with it:

• Dermatological side effects such as Steven-Johnson syndrome which is a life-threatening skin condition and toxic epidermal necrolysis, which is skin condition due to an allergic reaction
• Hematological side effects such as lowered white blood cell count and decreased number of platelets in the blood.
• Hepatic side effects such as hepatotoxicity, or chemical driven liver damage and liver failure
• Respiratory side effects such as respiratory depression

Common Side Effects

More common and less severe adverse side effects as a result of taking Vicodin | Hydrocodone Bitartrate/Acetaminophen are:

• Gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea and vomiting
• Neurological side effects such as dizziness, lightheadedness and sedation

Warnings & Recalls for Vicodin

Black Box Warning

The acetaminophen component of this drug has caused Vicodin | Hydrocodone Bitartrate/Acetaminophen to have an attached “black box” warning due to cases of acute liver failure, which can result in liver transplants or even death.

Contraindications Of This Drug

Some contraindications of Vicodin | Hydrocodone Bitartrate/Acetaminophen that might hinder a patient’s ability to take it include:

• Hypersensitivity to acetaminophen or hydrocodone
• Hypersensitivity to other opioids

Who Should Not Take This Drug

Some warnings and preexisting conditions that hinder a patient’s ability to take this drug include:

• Acute liver failure
• Abuse potential
• Alcohol use with this drug should be avoided
• Acute abdominal conditions
• Addison’s disease, a disease where the adrenal glands don’t secrete adequate amounts of their hormones
• Concurrent use with other central nervous system depressants should be avoided
• Elderly or debilitated patients are at risk of respiratory depression
• Significant head injuries may cause respiratory depression and elevation of cerebrospinal fluid pressure
• Hepatic impairment
• Hypothyroidism
• Unapproved for infant use
• Postoperative use can suppress cough reflex
• Enlarged prostate or urethral stricture or obstruction can lead to increased risk of respiratory depression
• Pulmonary disease can suppress cough reflex

Vicodin Treatment and Use

Vicodin | Hydrocodone Bitartrate/Acetaminophen is a drug combination of two analgesics comprising of hydrocodone and acetaminophen, and is used to treat moderate to severe pain.  This drug comes in tablet form.

Mechanism of Action

Paracetamol is known to be an analgesic and antipyretic.  The hypothalamic heat regulating center of paracetamol is responsible for its antipyretic activities.  It also inhibits prostaglandin synthesis, but how it does this is still unknown.

Hydrocodone Bitartrate is an analgesic and antitussive with an unknown mechanism of action but its presumed to be related to the presence of opiate receptors of the central nervous system.

Dosage

The FDA has requested that this drug must have new changes to its dosing officially effective by January 2014.  Vicodin | Hydrocodone Bitartrate/Acetaminophen now has a recommended maximum dosage of up to 300mg per day.

Other Names for Vicodin

Brand Names

• Vicodin


• Vicodin ES


• Vicodin HP


• Anexsia


• Anolor DH5


• Bancap HC


• Zydone


• Dolacet


• Lorcet


• Lortab


• Norco


• Vicoprofen

Generic Name

• Hydrocodone Bitartrate/Acetaminophen

Lawsuits & Legal Information for Vicodin