Vicodin

Vicodin,

n.pr brand name for hydrocodone, a ketone derivative of codeine that is about six times more potent than codeine. Vicodin is a controlled substance.

---

hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen Warning - High-alert drug!

Anexsia, Ceta-Plus, Co-Gesic, Hydrocet, Lorcet-HD, Lortab, Vicodin, Vicodin HP

Pharmacologic class: Opioid agonist/nonopioid analgesic combination

Therapeutic class: Opioid analgesic; allergy, cold, and cough remedy (antitussive)

Controlled substance schedule III

Pregnancy risk category C

Action

Blocks release of inhibitory neurotransmitters, altering perception of and emotional response to pain. Hydrocodone/ibuprofen combination raises pain threshold by nonselectively inhibiting cyclooxygenase; prostaglandin synthesis then decreases and anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects occur.

Availability

hydrocodone bitartrate

Suspension: 5 mg/5 ml, 10 mg/5 ml

Syrup: 5 mg/ml

Tablets: 5 mg

hydrocodone and acetaminophen

Capsules: 5 mg hydrocodone (hyd.)/500 mg acetaminophen (acet.)

Elixir/oral solution: 2.5 mg hyd./167 mg acet./5 ml

Tablets: 2.5 mg hyd./500 mg acet.; 5 mg hyd./325 mg acet.; 5 mg hyd./400 mg acet.; 5 mg hyd./500 mg acet.; 7.5 mg hyd./325 mg acet.; 7.5 mg hyd./400 mg acet.; 7.5 mg hyd./500 mg acet.; 7.5 mg hyd./650 mg acet.; 7.5 mg hyd./750 mg acet.; 10 mg hyd./325 mg acet.; 10 mg hyd./400 mg acet.; 10 mg hyd./500 mg acet.; 10 mg hyd./650 mg acet.; 10 mg hyd./660 mg acet.; 10 mg hyd./750 mg acet.

hydrocodone and aspirin

Tablets: 5 mg hyd./500 mg aspirin

hydrocodone and ibuprofen

Tablets: 7.5 mg hyd./200 mg ibuprofen

⊘Indications and dosages

➣ Moderate to severe pain

Adults: 2.5 to 10 mg P.O. q 4 to 6 hours p.r.n. When giving hydrocodone/acetaminophen, don't exceed 60 mg/day; when giving hydrocodone/ibuprofen, don't exceed 37.5 mg/day.

Children: 0.15 to 0.2 mg/kg P.O. q 6 hours

➣ Cough

Adults: 5 to 10 mg P.O. q 4 to 6 hours p.r.n. as a single dose, not to exceed 15 mg (usually given with decongestants)

Children: 0.6 mg/kg/day or 20 mg/m² P.O. in three to four divided doses. As a single dose, don't exceed 10 mg in children ages 12 and older, 5 mg in children ages 2 to 12, or 1.25 mg in children ages 2 and younger.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to hydrocodone, acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen (for corresponding combination products) or to alcohol, aspartame, saccharine, sugar, or tartrazine (with some products)

Precautions

Use cautiously in:
• severe renal, hepatic, or pulmonary disease; increased intracranial pressure; hypothyroidism; adrenal insufficiency; prostatic hypertrophy; thrombocytopenia; alcoholism
• elderly patients
• pregnant or breastfeeding patients.

Administration

☞ In patients receiving concurrent MAO inhibitors, know that hydrocodone may produce severe, unpredictable reactions. Initial dosage may need to be 25% lower than usual dosage.

Route	Onset	Peak	Duration
P.O.	10-30 min	30-60 min	4-6 hr

Adverse reactions

CNS: confusion, drowsiness, sedation, dysphoria, euphoria, floating feeling, hallucinations, headache, anxiety, depression, fatigue, insomnia, lethargy, nervousness, slurred speech, tremor, asthenia, unusual dreams

CV: orthostatic hypotension, bradycardia, peripheral edema, palpitations, arrhythmias

EENT: blurred vision, vision changes, diplopia, miosis, tinnitus, pharyngitis, rhinitis, sinusitis

GI: nausea, vomiting, constipation, dysphagia, esophagitis, dyspepsia, flatulence, gastritis, gastroenteritis, mouth ulcers, dry mouth, anorexia

GU: urinary retention or frequency, erectile dysfunction

Respiratory: respiratory depression, bronchitis, dyspnea

Skin: pruritus, urticaria, diaphoresis, flushing

Other: physical or psychological drug dependence, drug tolerance

Interactions

Drug-drug. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors: decreased therapeutic effects of these drugs

Antihistamines, sedative-hypnotics: additive CNS depression

Buprenorphine, butorphanol, nalbuphine, pentazocine: precipitation of opioid withdrawal in physically dependent patients

Buprenorphine, pentazocine: decreased analgesia

Lithium: increased lithium blood level (with hydrocodone/ibuprofen only)

MAO inhibitors: severe, unpredictable reactions

Methotrexate: increased methotrexate blood level

Naloxone: withdrawal symptoms

Oral anticoagulants: increased risk of GI bleeding (with hydrocodone/ibuprofen only)

Drug-diagnostic tests. Amylase, lipase: increased levels

Drug-herbs. Chamomile, hops, kava, skullcaps, valerian: increased CNS depression

Drug-behaviors. Alcohol use: increased CNS depression

Patient monitoring

• In prolonged use, monitor for psychological and physical dependence.
• Watch closely for withdrawal symptoms when drug is discontinued.
• Assess elderly patients carefully for adverse reactions.
☞ Monitor for signs and symptoms of drug overdose, including nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, cool and clammy skin, dizziness, confusion, dyspnea, respiratory depression, bradycardia, hearing loss, tinnitus, headache, and mood or behavior changes.

Patient teaching

• Tell patient drug may cause drowsiness. Caution him to avoid driving and other hazardous activities until CNS effects are known.
• Inform patient that prolonged use may lead to physical or psychological dependence.
• Caution patient to avoid alcohol during therapy.
• Instruct patient to move slowly when sitting up or standing, to avoid dizziness from sudden blood pressure decrease.
• As appropriate, review all other significant and life-threatening adverse reactions and interactions, especially those related to the drugs, tests, herbs, and behaviors mentioned above.

---

Patient discussion about Vicodin.

Q. what about opiod use in anxiety and depression? vicodin, anxiety, depression

A. Opioids are chemicals that have a morphine-like action in the body. They are mainly used for pain relief. They work by binding to opioid receptors, which are found principally in the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract. They are not usually used for anxiety and depression.
Depression can occur from an unbalance of serotonin, norepinephrine or dopamine in the brain. Antidepressants improve the symptoms by bringing these chemicals back into balance. The major types of antidepressants are: NDRIs- Norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors, SSRIs -Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and SNRIs -Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors.
The medications most often used to treat anxiety are from a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. These medications are sometimes referred to as "tranquilizers," because they leave you feeling calm and relaxed. They work by decreasing the physical symptoms, such as muscle tension and restlessness.

Q. Does anyone have information on Bipolar "blackouts" or know what they're really called? My boyfriend is bipolar and experienced a blackout a few weeks ago during which he did something completely out of character. A crime was committed and he has since been arrested. He's having trouble coping as he has no memory of the crime. He was on Wellbuterin and a doctor prescribed steroids and vicodin for a crushed disc. The chemicals may have led him into this blackout. He is a wonderful loving person and is now facing a life sentence for this terrible thing that happened that he had no conscious control over. They will not continue his medications in jail and he is not receiving mental or medical treatment. Is there anyone out there that can help me find some answers?

A. AKToad I am so sorry to hear about this situation you and your partner are facing. I havent heard about blackouts as a result of bipolar disorder, however perhaps this situation happened due to the different types of medications he was on. Was he drinking or taking any illegal drugs during the time that this situation happened? Drinking or drug use while on medications can lead to blackouts. I would suggest now getting him a good lawyer and seek a mental health defence. All of us are essentially responsible for our actions well or not so unfortunately he is going to have to fight for his freedom and he is going to have to work with mental health specialists to come up with effective treatments that can convince the legal community and the public that he is safe to be a member of society again. I wish you both luck and i hope everything works out.