Get Informed: Vicodin
Active Ingredient(s)
Vicodin
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:
- 2010-Mar-20 5:06 AM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-19 9:03 PM
Other Names
- Vicodin
- Lortab
- Norco
- Vicodin ES
- Hydrocodone / Acetaminophen
- Hydrocodone with APAP
- Lorcet
- Lortab 10 / 500
- Vicodin HP
- Lortab 7.5 / 500
- 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*
- 5,252,000
- 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 is currently tracking more than 34,900 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Back/Neck Pain | 73% | 
|
| Pain-Generalized | 59% |
|
| Osteoarthritis | 21% |
|
| Fibromyalgia | 17% |
|
| Muscle Spasms | 14% | 
|
| Migraine/Headache | 10% |
|
| Neuropathic Pain | 10% |
|
| Rheumatoid Arthritis | 6% |
|
| Ankylosing Spondylitis | 2% |
|
| Other | 3% | 
|
How well does Vicodin work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 34,900 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)
- 82%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Vicodin outweigh the bad things.
- 6%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Vicodin.
Common Side Effects of Vicodin
iGuard regularly polls our more than 34,900 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.
41% of patients experience side-effects on Vicodin
5% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Vicodin
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Constipation
-
Drowsiness
-
Nausea/Vomiting
-
Itch/Rash
-
Dizziness
-
Grogginess/Confusion
-
Headache
-
Fatigue
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Abdo Pain/Cramps, Anxiety, Mood/Behavior Changes, Restlessness, Sweating, Withdrawal Problems
Global Patient Feedback for Vicodin ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
THE SIDE EFFECTS STATE THAT NORCO USED WITH MOST OF MY OTHER MEDS CAN CAUSE SIGNIFICANT SEDATION. HOWEVER, BECAREFUL IF YOU ARE LIKE ME AND HAVE A BACKWARDS METABOLISM OR SYMPTOMS OF ADD/ADHD. IF I TAKE THE NORCO TOO CLOSE TO BEDTIME, I AM UP ALL NIGHT. IT COUNTER ACTS MY SLEEP MEDS. I HAVE HEARD THE SAME FROM OTHERS WHO HAVE OPPOSITE REACTIONS TO MEDS. PEOPLE WHO HAVE NORMAL REACTIONS TEND TO PASS OUT RIGHT AFTER TAKING THE NORCO, SO ADDING A SLEEPING MED IS DANGEROUS SO PAY ATTENTION!
37 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-19 17:23:15
Question/Comment:
I was prescribed Hydrocodone APAP after a bad, painful hip replacement. I do NOT respond to it as far as a pain reliever (don't respond to any pain reliever: Demoral, etc.), but found it offered great control of my serious RLS and PLMD, so I have continued its use since 2005, along with Trazadone and Lunesta. After trying all of the recommended meds for RLS, this is the only combination that works for me. I'll continue as long as it works!
67 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-26 05:07:22
Question/Comment:
I HAVE BEEN TAKING VICODIN 5/500 FOR 3 YEARS FOR FIBROMYALGIA, RHEUMATOID ARTHITIS, & BACK PROBLEMS ME & MY DOCTORS FEEL SINCE I TAKE ONLY WHEN NEEDED & WITH CYMBALTA 120MG A DAY PLUS USE NAPROXEN 500MG THAT I MY NOT NEED CHANGE TO STRONGER DOSE FOR A LONG TIME. ALSO BEING ON VICODIN 5/500 WHEN SEVERE I CAN TAKE 2 IF NEEDED. IF I TAKE JUST FOR PAIN I SEEM TO HAVE NO SIDE EFFECTS AT ALL.
56 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-23 11:58:20
Question/Comment:
What is odd is that I can take Vicodin and it does nothing for me. I know because I've had it in the past, yet this as Lortab works great.
42 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-16 07:35:59
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 – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-10-27 06:03:58
Answer/Reply:
I'am a 52 year old woman that has vey severe arthrist, lower & upper back problems, I have been on vicoden for 2 years know.
I have been told that it will stop working for me and that I will have to go on something stonger.
Can anyone tell me if this is true, because I rearly dont want to be on anything stronger.
I would like any information.
Thank You
53 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-12-11 19:56:34
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Many patients use Vicodin to control their pain. However, some patients develop more severe pain or become tolerant to lower doses of pain medicines and will require higher doses. You may want to see a pain management specialist, if you are having trouble controlling your pain or are concerned about side effects. There are many options for pain relief.
Posted: 2009-12-13 09:42:58
Answer/Reply:
When I was severly depressed about 10 years ago, to counter the foggy head/hangover feeling in the morning, my doctor prescribed Provigil. This is an alertness medication not a stimulant. The label use is for Narcalepsy but 100 mg first thing in the morning allowed me to clear the cobwebs, focus and remain alert all day.
Mention it to your doctor...you can start out on a very low dose to see how it works for you. Good Luck!
43 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-06 01:09:18
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Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
241
Patient Comments about
Vicodin