Doctors’ Answers to “Frequently Asked Questions” – Vicodin
These comments are made for the purpose of discussion and should NOT be used as
recommendations for or against therapies or other treatments. An individual patient is
always advised to consult their own physician.
Vicodin and Percodan alternatives [posted
1/13/99]
Question: I am currently in the U.K. and I have severe pain. I have had knee
problems since I was a child and have now had a stress fracture on my foot. I cannot find
a similar pain reliever as they do not prescribe percodan or vicodin here. Perhaps there
is another name for the drug. I was given Votoral, which made me very sleepy and did not
relieve the pain.
Answer: Generic of Vicodin is hydrocodone bitartrate plus
acetaminophen. Try asking for the generic equivalent.
Vicodin Side Effect [posted
1/13/99]
Question: I was given vicodin at the hospital when I was accidentally burned in the
eye with a cigarette. I didn’t use all of the tablets, but saved some. Last night I burnt
my fingertips and palm on the stove. The pain was quite severe, I held ice in my hand for
about 5 hours until I was ready to go to bed. I also drank 3 beers over a period of 3
hours. (I took one vicodin for the purpose of a sleep aid once, and it had no effect.) I
have trouble sleeping anyway, so I took two vicodin. I became very drowsy and eventually
dosed off into a light sleep. I woke up at one point to get up for a glass of water. I
barely made it to the kitchen when I started to faint, every time I tried to stand up I
would start to black out. I crawled to the bathroom because I felt nauseated, but could
not vomit. Finally I crawled back to bed thinking that I would wake up with some sort of
brain damage, but this morning I felt fine. I was wondering if you think a dosage of two
tablets of vicodin simultaneously could cause liver or kidney damage? Are fainting spells
or loss of consciousness a common side effect of vicodin?
Answer: Probably wouldn’t cause liver or renal problems, but clearly
are the nausea and the mental difficulties.
Vicodin [posted 1/11/99]
Question: If Vicodin has no effect on my pain what so ever, what pain medication
would? Why would it not work? This was prescribed following spinal fusion surgery of the
L5-S1 vertebrae using B.A.K. implants.
Answer: You will need higher doses of morphine or equivalent. It will
work in sufficient dosing.
Vicoprofen [posted 1/8/99]
Question: I am a 25 year old male, and have been taking 4 tabs of vicoprofen a day
for about 2 months, however, I was on vicodin for about 7 months prior. I am concerned
about the hydrocodone in these two drugs. Will I be able to control the addictive side
effects of the drug after (if ever), I have to stop taking it? I went 24 hours once to see
how addicted I was, and I spent the night sweating and shaking. It wore off the next day,
but I had to resume my medication for the chronic back pain in which I suffer. Is there a
better substitute? Should I take my concerns to my O.P.?
Answer: You have an addiction now. Discuss options with your doctor.
There may be no option other than the medications.
Vicodin replacement [posted
1/6/99]
Question: I was recently in an auto accident. My Doctor gave me lortab. When I gave
it to the pharmacy, they replaced it with Vicodin. What is The difference between the two
drugs. And should I take it because I’m allergic to codeine?
Answer: Both contain hydrocodone and acetaminophen, so substitution is
ok. Hydrocodone is similar to codeine, but technically different. I wouldn’t expect your
reaction to be much different, but judge by effects.
Norco, Vicodin and Insomnia [posted
12/08/98]
Question: I love this site and just found it! Why does Norco
keep me awake at night but Vicodin does not? My physician was surprised when I told her
Norco keeps me awake all night. I also take Baclofen and Nuerontin for muscle spasm
and nerve pain, thanks.
Answer: Most patients experience somnulence on
barbiturates;but, some do get a paradoxical response, sounds like this could be you.
Vicodin & Difficulty Breathing
[posted 12/04/98]
Question: My 60 yr old mother (weighs 95 lbs/smoker), June
broke her wrist last June and had surgery. She was prescribed Vicodin(5-500mg tabs)2 pills
every 4 hrs as needed for pain. 10 days into the recovery she experienced lightheadedness
and respiratory distress that ended her up in the hospital for 4 days. In the emergency
room, she told the DR’s that she felt she was having a reaction to the Vicodin she had
been taking, because she had just taken 2 pills 20-30 min before. They assumed she had
asthma and gave her Albuterol and 5hrs later sent her home with Albuterol. During the next
6hrs she had 3 additional attacks and returned to hospital and was admitted. They
continued the Vicodin and Albuterol for 4 days until discharge, where my mother refused
the Vicodin for fear of another respiratory attack. Since she discontinued the use of
Vicodin she has not had another attack. My questions are: 1)Can the respiratory
distress be caused by the amount of Vicodin prescribed? 2)Does her weight matter? 3)Is it
possible a build up of Vicodin in her system caused the respiratory distress? 4)Can a
reaction happen after 10 days of use? 5)Could the Albuterol intensify the reaction to
Vicodin?
Answer: Wouldn’t be a usual reaction to narcotics. Respiratory
reaction to narcotics is usually decreased breathing and somnulence. But, if she gets a
reaction every time she takes it, I would be suspicious of some reaction-possibly to the
dye or binders in the pill.
Vicodin &
Addiction [posted 12/04/98]
Question: I have been taking Vicodin for migraines off and on
for 4 years. They tend to make my headaches worse but I have become “addicted”
to it. I have noticed my increase usage and have just decided to stop completely. What
withdrawal symptoms should I expect to have?
Answer: Nausea, vomiting, chills, goosebumps, headaches. Try clonidine
to help block some of these.
Vicodin Liver Concerns [posted
12/04/98]
Question: Isn’t vicodin an opiate? I recently
vacationed with a friend who has been talking vicodin for several years, plus now she is
on a sleeping medication (name unknown) and she takes prozac and advil. I am very
concerned about her..what is the interaction of these drugs and….won’t they damage
the liver? She denies being addicted to any of the above!
Answer: Yes it is an opiate. Long term use in
high doses could damage her liver, addiction would be a more common problem.
How Much is a Vicodin Overdose [posted
11/17/98]
Question: I have a prescription for Vicodin. The bottle says take 1 to 2 for severe
pain. Two seems a lot at one time for a narcotic. What exactly would constitute a limit
for overdose?
Answer: Depends on your weight, age and other concurrent
medications;but, would usually for a 150 # person take at least 8 before one would see
major problems in respiration.
Vicodin [posted 11/10/98]
Question: I have been taking Vicodin for a few months following a foot surgery. I
got to the point where I was only taking a pill before bed. I stopped taking Vicodin 2
nights ago and now I am having a terrible time sleeping. I doze off but then wake up with
a jerky motion. Is there some help without more drugs? Or do I have to wait until this
stuff is out of my system?
Answer: Try an antihistamine at bedtime. They produce somnulence and are an
adjunct to any analgesic. Tylenol PM for example would combine acetaminophen with an
antihistamine.
If I Have an Ulcer, Will 2 -3 Vicodin
Caplets a Week Have Adverse Effects [posted 10/30/98]
Question: I’ve been in several major car accidents and have undergone therapy for
chronic neck pain.The therapy was helpful to some degree, but I still experience flare-ups
that cause severe headaches. The only over the counter drugs that help are of the
anti-inflammatory variety. Unfortunately, I’ve been diagnosed w/ an ulcer and it was
recommended that I don’t use these. The only thing that is successful in treating the pain
has been vicodin. I’m very health conscious and don’t want to do anything detrimental to
my health, but when I get these neck induced headaches, vicodin provides relief. On
average, I take 2-3 caplets a week. Is this a problem?
Answer:Probably not at this dosage. Have you seen a chiropracter?
Vicodin Effects on Sex Drive [posted
10/28/98]
Question: A friend called me this am and asked if I could find some info on the net
about Vicodin. She wanted to know if it has any affects on your sexual drive. I told her
that almost all if not all pain medicine has an affect on your sexual drive. Any ideas?
Answer: All the narcotics usually decrease sexual drive.