Get Informed: Vicodin
Active Ingredient(s)
Hydrocodone with Acetaminophen
What does it do?
This product is used for the treatment of moderately severe pain. It contains acetaminophen and hydrocodone (a narcotic analgesic).
- Last Text Update:
- 2009-Nov-21 4:36 AM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 6:52 PM
Other Names
- Vicodin
- Lortab
- Norco
- Vicodin ES
- Hydrocodone / Acetaminophen
- Hydrocodone with APAP
- Lorcet
- Lortab 10 / 500
- Lortab 7.5 / 500
- Vicodin HP
- Lortab 5 / 500
- Hydrocodone with Acetaminophen
- Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Acetaminophen
- Lorcet-HD
- Lortab 2.5 / 500
- Zydone
- Panlor
- Anexsia
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 03 May 1982
- Est US Patients*
- 5,388,000
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Vicodin or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Vicodin
Vicodin Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
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What is Vicodin used for?
iGuard.org is currently tracking more than 31,600 patients that use Vicodin (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Pain | 37% | 
|
| Osteoarthritis | 16% | 
|
| Migraine / Headache | 10% |
|
| Degenerative Arthritis | 9% |
|
| Muscle Spasms | 7% |
|
| Rheumatoid Arthritis | 6% |
|
| Back / Neck Pain | 5% | 
|
| Restless Leg Syndrome | 3% |
|
| Fibromyalgia | 2% |
|
| Other | 34% |
|
How well does Vicodin work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 31,600 users taking Vicodin (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 74%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Vicodin outweigh the bad things.
- 13%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Vicodin.
Common Side Effects of Vicodin
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 31,600 users taking Vicodin (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
46% of patients experience side-effects on Vicodin
6% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Vicodin
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Constipation
-
Nausea
-
Drowsiness
-
Fatigue
-
Itch/Rash
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Abdominal Pain, Addiction, Anxiety, Dizziness, Dry Mouth, Dryness, Grogginess/Confusion, Headache, Heartburn/Reflux, Insomnia, Memory/Speech Problems, Mental Haziness, Mood/Behavior Changes, Nausea/Vomiting, Nightmares, Occassional Bowel Problems and Swelling, Restlessness, Sleep Problems, Weakness, Weight Gain
Global Patient Feedback for Vicodin (Hydrocodone with Acetaminophen) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I'm 55 with severe back pain from a work accident and have been taking Lortab 10-500 for 6 years. they are working but I feel like there should be something more helpful, I also have COPD and they seem to help with being able to breathe, I take valium 5 every couple of (nights) to be able to rest, I have a hard time staying asleep. What I feel I need is something to help me stay awake and focused & have some energy to do something, any Idea's?
I have often felt I was AADD. thanks for help
56 year old Female
Posted: 2009-10-27 06:03:58
Question/Comment:
I am having a very hard time with my pain I am always in pain and I am prescribed 2 lorcet a day and have been on this dose for over 3 years . I had ruptured silicone implants and my doctor does not believe that it causes problems . I have asked for more pain med but he says no what do I do my pain is real to me and I have a 7 year old who wants mommy who can get up and do things instead of being in pain I am also on lyrica and effexor any suggestions
43 year old Female
Posted: 2009-10-20 10:52:20
Question/Comment:
I was taken off lortab 7.5/500 & put on percocet just to end up having miagraines. I was then taken off the percocet & put on lortab 10/5oo & they are working for me. I was previously on methadone & given lortab as a breakthrough med but after losing 180lbs & having 22 lbs of excess skin removed from my stomach I asked my pain doc to take me off the methadone after being on it for 1 1/5 year. I still have pain but it is tolerable, but only if I have my lortab when I need it. I feel that I am addicted because I have to have iot but I never take over the 4 per day that my pain doc has me on. I have had 3 surgeries & they all have worked.
44 year old Female
Posted: 2009-10-06 08:46:09
Question/Comment:
For anyone out there with back, leg and neck pain. I was given tylenol 4's and soma for the pain in my low back and leg pains. I took this for 4 years and asked the doctor to try something else. I was given vicodin es and soma to take 4 x a day. Some days it was hard to function as the pain was unbearable, especially during the rain and winter months. Anyway, 4 years later I am still taking vicodin, lyrica, and soma as the doctor finally diagnosed me with fibromyalgia. Some days I can get by with taking less than prescribed. I still suffer low back pain and last year my husband insisted I see a chiropractor. I was surprised how much they can help with the pain. I recommend anyone at the end of their rope with taking pain meds to try seeing a chiropractor.
52 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-19 15:15:04
Answer/Reply:
If I could stand in every public square across the U.S. I would use a megaphone to say this to people: "If you have backpain at any level and you toss and turn all night because of the pain, here's a solution that worked for me. I have scoliosis as well as arthritis on my spine and also fibromyalgia. After trying everything, I found what worked for me. Two words: MEMORY FOAM! Not the crappy type they sell at WalMart etc. but real memory foam. I purchased mine from "overstock.com" but it's available in many stores. I got the one inch thick Serta foam and I loved it so much I gave it to my daughter and then ordered a two inch thick piece.(Besides I am on the heavy side and thought it would be better getting two inches of thickness.) After 10 years of trying to get more comfortable at bedtime, I finally found a solution that worked for me! I will swear on a Bible that I have not had a bad night's sleep since I purchased it. You do NOT have to buy an expensive memory foam bed. All you need to do
is buy the memory foam and put it on top of your mattress. Please do this for yourself. My e-mail address is Imanonnie@msn.com and I would love to hear if you tried it and what you think now about going to bed at night! I am only recommending the "Serta" foam because that's the brand I purchased and can't speak for another brand.
Deborah 60 years old.
61 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-21 18:40:25
Answer/Reply:
Dear Deborah...your post on the Memory Foam solution to back pain and not sleeping will have me running out to get 'mine' right away. I have suffered for years with back pain, and it's only getting worse. I take two to three vicodins a day just to be able to function and walk for a few hours. I try not to 'over do it' as I fear getting 'hooked' on the Vicodin. The Vicodin takes the edge off the pain, but it only lasts maybe three hours. I can't wait to try Memory Foam! Thank you!
62 year old Female
Posted: 2009-11-19 01:39:41
Question/Comment:
I have to take this medication for severe joint pain from my Hep C. I tried everything else (even using crystals) before I gave in to this drug. This is an addictive drug, and as such, when you take them every day, then when you are late taking a dose or miss one, you are going through withdrawals. That can make you very irritable. I have been taking this every day for 2 years now, and don't feel anything but a reduction in pain anymore. No grogginess or yucky feeling. However, if I miss a dose I am not very happy. I wish that I could get off this drug and onto something that doesn't make me sick when I don't take it. And I have to say, you do have to be careful. I have my husband keep the drugs and give them to me as prescribed, that way I don't take too many at one times, push myself too hard and exhaust myself because I feel less pain and feel I have to get everything done while I feel good. It's a tough road to go down. Good luck to everyone that has to be on this drug long term, and I can't stress enough how careful you have to be.
50 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-04 19:30:46
Answer/Reply:
I have been on Vicodin for many years...unfortunately, I am unable to take ANY Nsaids or other anti-inflammatory medications because I had bariatric surgery 4 years ago. Tylenol does nothing for me, so the only other pain meds I can take are stronger than Vicodin and I don't want to go there. I suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis, Polycystic Kidney Disease, osteoarthritis and a deformed hip. I have no choice but to use it. I take 4 pills (the max prescribed by my doctor) with me each day, and only very rarely do I take less than the max - partly because of the pain and partly because of the withdrawal. I know I am addicted and have to be very careful. I usually end up taking them on time to prevent the symptoms from coming back, so that I can work every day.
It doesn't make me tired, it gives me a euphoric effect instead.. actually energizes me. But it takes care of the pain that otherwise would still be there. I don't notice mood changes or personality changes, but it does make me feel "good"... hence the addictive factor. I hate the fact that I take it, but in my situation, there is little choice. I've discussed this with my doctor and he monitors me closely.
47 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-15 17:09:22
Answer/Reply:
Do not worry about it as long as you do not abuse the medication. I suffer from sever sensory neuropathy in both feet. To quiet the pain, which is like standing bare-foot on hot black-top pavement in 110 degree tempature and unable to move, I take 60 mg of morphine daily and to quiet spike pain, I can take up to 4 NORCO daily. I am not abusing these medications because I still funcation as a student. I am studying internet Web design and Microsoft Windows System Administration. And by the way, I just turned 72 recently. Physical addiction is not dangerous or harmful. It is phsycological and/or emotional addiction is dangerous and harmful.
From a 72 year old male.
72 year old Male
Posted: 2009-08-23 19:50:25
Answer/Reply:
I have been taking lorcet about 18 years now I have no problem when I skip it just pain lever go up,if I took the pills for every time i hurt I would have to take the whole bottle witch is 100 an they are 10/650 i skip as many as I can so when I need to try an do some work I then have a few that can use to do the work. most people I no wants them they say it makes high but not me it just helps with the pain .the doc said that it is because I need them an my pain is real were some of the people just want them because they want drugs.I don"t no how it is were ever you are but don"t let people no you have them you will have friends that you did not no you had.an some of them will hurt you to get them,I don" no why they not good to me just for pain that is all it helps me with. they say alot of it is in your head ,I don"t no I just take them An if I am not hurting I will skip it. hope you find something that works an not have any withdrawals.no two bodys are the same,what works for one may not work the other. good luck
49 year old Male
Posted: 2009-08-18 14:10:49
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76
Patient Comments about
Vicodin