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Narcotic: acetaminophen
and hydrocodone
History
Hydrocodone dates back to the 1920's when
Knoll, a German pharmaceutical company,
believed hydrogenizing codeine could make it
less toxic, making it easier on the stomach.
Hydrocodone is the codeine molecule with a
hydrogen atom attached.
During this time in the U.S., a disturbing
percentage of middle class Americans were
hooked on opium derivatives. The government,
anxious for a non-addictive painkiller, gave
extensive funding to research new compounds
like hydrocodone.
Entering The Body
Acetaminophen and hydrocodone is available in
tablet/capsule form, as well as liquid, to be taken
by mouth.
It’s generally taken every 4-6 hours as needed. The
usual dose of Vicodin is 1 or 2 tablets, up to a
maximum of 8 tablets per day. The usual dose of
Vicodin HP® is 1 tablet, up to a maximum of 6
tablets per day. For Vicodin ES®, the usual dose is
1 tablet, up to a maximum of 5 tablets per day.
Vicodin can be habit forming or addictive, and it is
imperative that patients take the medication
precisely as prescribed by their physician.
Abuse Effects
Vicodin is a semisynthetic narcotic.
Most of these involve the central nervous system
and smooth muscle.
The precise mechanism of action of hydrocodone
and other opiates is not known, although it is
believed to relate to the existence of opiate
receptors in the central nervous system.
Narcotics may produce euphoria, drowsiness,
laziness, relaxation, difficulty in concentrating,
decreased physical activity in some users and
increased physical activity in others, mild anxiety
or fear, and pupillary constriction.
Abuse Effects (CONTINUED)
If a regular Vicodin user abruptly stops taking
Vicodin, withdrawal should begin within six to
twelve hours.
The intensity of withdrawal depends on the degree
of the addiction, and symptoms are usually not life-
threatening.
Withdrawal symptoms may intensify for 24 to 72
hours and then gradually decline over a period of 7
to 14 days.
Symptoms of Vicodin withdrawal include but are
not limited to: restlessness, muscle pain, bone
pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes,
Legal Information
Vicodin is under legal restriction by the CSA (Controlled
Substances Act): Schedule III
Ø Schedule III.—
c) The drug or other substance has a potential for abuse
less than the drugs or other substances in schedules I
and II.
d) The drug or other substance has a currently accepted
medical use in treatment in the United States.
e) Abuse of the drug or other substance may lead to
moderate or low physical dependence or high
psychological dependence.
Treatment Centers:
http://www.valleyhope.com
http://www.hazelden.org
http://www.soberforever.org/gb.html
http://www.jamaicarehab.com/
http://www.windsorstuff.com/addiction.html
http://www.usnodrugs.com
http://www.mountainside.org/
http://www.promises.com/assess.html
Interesting Facts
Eminem and Courtney Love were addicted to
Vicodin
Anyone can become addicted to Vicodin in as
little as 7 days
The most common appearance is a white,
scored, oblong, tablet with the word “Vicodin”
imprinted on it.
Street Names: Vike and Watson-387
If taken when in severe pain, Vicodin does not
get a person "high," but it does if it's taken
when NOT in pain.
Resources
http://www.drugabusehelp.com/drugs/Vicodin/
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Addiction-Substance-Abu
http://www.drugs.com/Vicodin.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicodin