Vicodin is a powerful prescription pain medication. This is used for treat moderate to severe pain. It comes in a generic version as well as the brand name. Vicodin contains hydrocodone and acetaminophen.
Uses of Vicodin
Vicodin is an opioid narcotic medication. Morphine belongs to this family, too. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration classified Vicodin as a Schedule 2 drug. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s classification of medications could lead to psychological or physical dependence.
Vicodin is treated with moderate to severe pain. Primarily, they should only be specified to treat short-term pain caused by an injury, surgery, or acute pain. Still, these medications may sometimes treat long-term or chronic pain due to conditions like cancer or arthritis.
Opioids works by interfering with the way pain signals are transferred through your central nervous system (CNS) to your brain. This medication reduces your pain and makes movement and everyday conditioning easier.
Forms and dosage
Vicodin comes in both brand-name and generic versions. The brand-name versions come in tablet form, and the generic versions come in liquid and tablet form.
- Vicodin tablets version: 300 mg of acetaminophen with a combination of 5mg, 7.5mg, or 10mg hydrocodone
- Generic tablets version: 300 mg or 325 mg of acetaminophen with a variety of 2.5mg, 5mg, 7.5mg, or 10mg hydrocodone
- Generic liquid version: 325mg acetaminophen with a variety of 7.5mg or 10mg hydrocodone per 15mL
- Generally, take Vicodin every 4 to 6 hours to handle pain.
Effectiveness
Vicodin has been highly effective in treating severe pain. It is suitable for both short as well as long-term pain management. Another study by Trusted Source showed that they work well in treating acute pain caused by fractures.