Vicodin (hydrocodone)

Street names/slang terms:
Vike, vics, hydrocondone bitartrate, Watson-387

Drug Type:
Vicodin is a prescription pain reliever that contains hydrocodone (an opiod) and acetaminophen (more commonly known by the brand name Tylenol).

What does it look like?
Vicodin comes in pill form.

How is it used?
Vicodin is consumed orally.

Why is it abused?

It is abused to feel pleasure of sensations of well-being.

Short-term Effects:
• dizziness
• nausea, vomiting
• mood changes
• anxiety, fear
• drowsiness
• skin rash
• decreased mental and physical abilities
• hearing loss
• slowed breathing

Vicodin is dangerous because:

It is highly addictive. Over time, tolerance develops requiring the abuser to take more and more to get the same pleasant feelings. Withdrawal symptoms include horrible physical experience of intense restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting and cold flashes. Vicodin taken in combination with other prescription or over-the-counter drugs or alcohol increases the risk of life-threatening respiratory depression (breathing slows down and eventually stops).

Source: NIDA, DEA