Vicodin ®

• Vicodin ® comes in tablet, capsule, liquid, (suspension, elixir, syrup, and solution) form.
• Usually taken every 4-6 hours by mouth.
• A synthetic narcotic.
• Must be taken under the doctor's orders, following instructions since it can be habit forming.
• Increased dosage, frequently, or period of use, more than prescribed can lead to dependency.
• Regulated in the U.S. as a Controlled Substance with oversight on all manufacturing, importing, possession, and distribution of the drug.
• Contains up to 750 mg of acetaminophen, for maximum adult use at 1 gram (1000 mg) per dose, 4 doses (4000 mg) per day.
• Listed on the Schedule III list of drugs, classified by the U.S. government as potential to cause moderate or low physical dependence or a high psychological dependence if abused.
• Indications as an opioid analgesic to manage from mild to moderate pain of acute, chronic, or post-operative types.
• U.S. manufactures nearly 100% of the total hydrocodone worldwide and consumes 99% (according to the 2005 INCB Report, International Narcotics Control Board).
• 10th most reported drug (hydrocodone with acetaminophen) in top 150 controlled substances (2002, Drug Abuse Warning Network database).
• Most frequently seized opioid pharmaceutical (25,136 items) by DEA in drug evidence at state and local forensic laboratories (2006, System to Retrieve Information from Drug Evidence, NFLIS).
• Use with alcoholic beverages increases risk of side effects, dizziness, and drowsiness.
• May pass into breast milk when breast-feeding infants.
• Works best to relief pain before it becomes severe and less effective on already intense pain.
• 3%, 7% and 9.7% non-medical use of Vicodin ® reported, respectively, among 8th, 10th, and 12th graders (2006, Monitoring the Future [HS] Survey).
• First report of chemical euphoria published in 1923, first report of dependence and addiction published in 1961.
• Co-formulation carries higher risk of liver toxicity with excessive doses.
• Street names include Vike and Watson 387 (imprint on the generic pill).
• Of the 6.4 million Americans misusing prescription drugs, more than 73% misused prescription pain relievers (2006, National Household Survey).

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