Review of Vicodin, Prescription Painkiller

Vicodin is a narcotic pain reliever made up of acetaminophen and hydrocodone. It is typically prescribed for people suffering moderate to severe pain caused by fractured or dislocated bones, or for patients recovering from surgery, including oral surgery. This is a review of Vicodin, prescription painkiller.

In addition to relieving pain, Vicodin has the added benefit of causing euphoria, by increasing the activity of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Since hydrocodone is an opioid, its effects are similar to heroin, though not quite as strong. For this reason, Vicodin is highly addictive.

In fact, many people who take Vicodin as a prescribed medication for short-term pain relief become addicted to the drug, and continue taking it for an extended period of time. Count me among those that embraced the habit-forming quality of the prescription pain reliever Vicodin.

Once an individual is addicted to Vicodin, it is very difficult to stop taking the drug. Withdrawal symptoms include depression, nausea, diarrhea, extreme sensitivity to light and sound, restlessness, insomnia, fever, muscle pain, bone pain, chills, sneezing, loss of appetite, panic, runny nose and watery eyes, sweating, persistent headache, and involuntary leg movements. Therefore, it is always best to gradually decrease your dosage, as opposed to stopping cold turkey.

Vicodin has in recent years played a major role in pop culture. The lead character in the hit television show House is addicted to Vicodin. Rapper Eminem has sung the praises of the prescription painkiller in many of his songs, and an angry Vicodin pill even graces the top of one of his CDs. Many stars have admitted addictions to Vicodin, including superstar comedian George Carlin, who is now clean.