Is Vicodin a Safe Drug For Children?

Is Vicodin a Safe Drug For Children?

Pain is a feeling associated with a lot of discomfort. When you are in pain your brain can’t think of anything beyond getting relief from the pain. A number of OTC drugs are popular as far as resolving symptoms of pain are concerned.

However, on certain kinds of pains even these drugs fail to show any impact and that when you have no choice but to see a doctor. A doctor may prescribe other additional painkillers to treat your pain and discomfort. These drugs send out signal through the Central Nervous system to the brain which helps in easing out the pain making movement and everyday activities more manageable.

What is Vicodin?

Vicodin is a combination drug that helps to relieve symptoms of pain that could be both mild and severe in intensity. It contains a combination of an opioid (narcotic) pain reliever (hydrocodone) and a non-opioid pain reliever (acetaminophen). Hydrocodone which is a narcotic pain reliever acts upon the brain to change the way the body feels and acts to signals of pain.

Acetaminophen component of this drug helps in providing relief from fever if any associated with the pain.

The hydrocodone component of the drug could have certain side effects including slow breathing and hence Vicodin is normally not prescribed for children below 6 years of age.

Using the Vicodin Drug?

Before using this drug it is advisable to read the patient information leaflet that is available at the chemist about this drug. In case you have any questions about the dosage or possible reactions that you may face from this drug, speak to your doctor about the same.

This medicine should be consumed orally or as per the directions of your treating doctor. You can consume this medicine either before or after food or as advised by the doctor. In case you experience symptoms like nausea due to this drug you may consume this medicine with food. Speak to your doctor in case your symptoms of nausea worsen with this drug and try out some simple remedies like ginger ale or lying down after the drug. Your doctor may be able to help you with the same.

In case you are using the liquid form of this medicine, measure the liquid carefully to stick to the prescribed dosage and avoid overdose or consuming lesser than the prescribed dosage. Avoid using a regular household spoon to dispense the medicine as it may lead to incorrect dosage being administered.

The dosage of the medication that is being prescribed is completely based on your health condition and how you are responding to the medication. In case of children the dosage may be recommended on the basis of the weight of the

child. Avoid increasing the dosage or increasing the frequency of the dosage based on your own discretion. Increasing the dose or taking it more frequently not likely to improve your condition faster, but is more likely to subject you to the side effects of the medicine. When asked to stop the medicine by the doctor does so immediately and do not stop the medicine based on your own discretion.

Pain medicines are most effective when started as soon as the first symptoms of the pain are experienced. Do not wait for the pain to worsen before starting out on this medicine as it is only likely to worsen your condition. If you are experience continued pain due to other medical condition like cancer, your treating doctor may also suggest you to consume certain longer acting opioid medicines. In such a scenario this medicine may be used only as and when needed. Other pain relieving medications like ibuprofen, naproxen could also be suggested. Speak to your doctor about the usage of these medications with other drugs that you may be consuming so as to prevent the risk of counter interactions.

This medicine can cause some withdrawal reactions particularly when the same is being consumed for longer periods of time or in higher dosages. Withdrawal symptoms like restlessness, watering of eyes, running nose, nausea, sweating or pain in the muscles may be caused when the medicine is stopped all of a sudden. To prevent these withdrawal reactions, the doctor may suggest a gradual decrease in the dosage. Immediately inform your doctor when you feel such severe symptoms or withdrawal reactions.

Sometimes a long term usage of this medication may reduce the efficacy with which it should be functioning. In case you feel that the medicine is not working with the same efficacy as it should, inform your doctor immediately.

Along with the benefits, this medicine is also likely to cause an addiction for some people. The risk of addiction to this medicine becomes higher if you have been indulging in alcohol or drug abuse in the past. This medicine should be only taken as prescribed to reduce the associated risks of addiction and other side effects.

Inform your doctor if after continued use also the pain continues or begins to worsen.

When Should Vicodin be avoided?

You should refrain from using Vicodin in case you are allergic to acetaminophen or hydrocodone or in case you have been recently using alcohol, sedatives, or other forms of narcotic drugs. This medication should be strictly avoided if you have taken MAO inhibitors in the last 14 days as it could cause a serious interaction. Common MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.

Certain medications can cause certain interactions with hydrocodone which can result in a serious condition known as serotonin syndrome. Ensure you discuss

with your doctor your entire medical history along with the list of medications that you are currently on, especially if you are taking drugs for medical conditions like depression, Parkinson’s disease, migraines, nausea or vomiting.

Speak to your doctor about the various changes you are experiencing after you have started taking these medications. Vicodin is likely to cause certain reactions like breathing problems in older adults who are already undergoing other medical conditions or with other medications.