The grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.”
-Allan K. Chalmers
The drug taken in large doses by radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh. The drug that nearly killed “Friends” star Matthew Perry. Vicodin is the brand name of an opioid analgesic similar to heroin and morphine. Vicodin is one of the most frequently prescribed medications for moderate to severe pain such as migraines, bak pain and cancer.
Vicodin’s active ingredients are hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen, which work on pain receptors in the brain. It can become physically addictive after only a few weeks of use. It is one of the most abused controlled substances in the United States, according to drug addiction researchers. It is an older drug than OxyContin and is effective for only a 3-4 hour period. Chronic use of opioids can result in tolerance, which means that users must take higher doses to achieve the same effects.
The side effects of Vicodin can include dizziness, drowsiness, lightheadedness, constipation, nausea, vomiting and hearing loss.