Vicodin Side Effects

All prescription drugs contain information that outlines possible side effects that could be quite common and others that are more serious. This information also includes warnings on use of the drug, possible interactions and the best way to avoid serious health complications. The use of Vicodin, the combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen, can prompt a host of varied side effects that differ from patient to patient. How someone reacts to Vicodin can depend on many factors such as the amount taken and how a person’s body metabolizes the drug. Some side effects with this opiate painkiller can be easily tolerated, while others may cause more serious internal distress.

Common Side Effects and More Serious Complications

Vicodin is used to treat moderate to severe pain. Constipation is a common problem for opiate users and can turn serious if left unchecked. An allergic reaction can include signs of rash, wheezing, difficult breathing, closing of the throat, hives or swelling of the lips, face, tongue or throat. Other more commonly reported side effects include headache,  mood changes, dry mouth, ringing in the ears, trouble sleeping, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach and blurred vision. Overdose is also a possibility with Vicodin use. Symptoms can include extreme drowsiness, fainting, nausea, sweating, muscle weakness, small pupils, vomiting, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), confusion, cold and clammy skin, weak pulse, depressed heart rate, coma, blue lips and shallow breathing.

Warnings on Vicodin Use

Vicodin should be taken exactly as prescribed by a doctor to avoid serious side effects. Altering the dose in any way can be dangerous. Taking Vicodin with alcohol can cause slowed breathing. Drowsiness can be magnified by patients who take Vicodin with alcohol, other narcotics, allergy medication and sleeping pills. Dizziness and drowsiness can also occur with Vicodin use, so patients are urged to take it cautiously when driving or performing other potentially dangerous tasks. Vicodin use can lead to dependence and addiction, two serious side effects that bring with it a withdrawal phase that can be difficult to manage without proper medical treatment.

Waismann Method Offers Opiate-Free Accelerated Treatment for Opiate Addiction

For more than 10 years, The Waismann Method of Accelerated Neuro-Regulation (ANR) has successfully treated Vicodin addiction without opiate substitutes. In the majority of our patients, addiction developed after legitimate pain prompted a prescription from a medical professional. Our program includes an in-hospital procedure that uses medication to cleanse Vicodin from patients’ opiate receptors. They sleep lightly under anesthesia for a short time and awake without the conscious awareness of the withdrawal symptoms that occurred while they were out. We manage the accelerated withdrawal phase so effectively that patients can recover more quickly and thoroughly. Vicodin addiction can be treated in a matter of days with our program, and patients can choose to move onto our Domus Retreat aftercare facility. Here, they can take advantage of therapeutic and spa services, continuing their recovery in a safe and supportive environment.