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