VICODIN®TRANSCRIPT (page 1 of 2)If you have moderate to severe pain, you may be prescribed Vicodin. Vicodin is a highalert medication, which means if you do not take it exactly as prescribed it may causeillness or injury.To understand how Vicodin works, let’s look at how pain affects your body. Thousandsof tiny nerve cells in your body sense many feelings, like cold, heat, pressure, andpain. When your body is injured, the tiny nerve cells send a message to your brainthat says, “I’m in pain here!”Vicodin is a combination of two different pain relief medications – hydrocodone andacetaminophen, and comes in a tablet. It works in two ways to help relieve pain. Onepart of Vicodin blocks pain signals to the brain. The other part changes the way yourbody thinks of pain.When you are prescribed Vicodin, the medication label will show two dosagenumbers. The first is the amount of hydrocodone and the second is the amount ofAcetaminophen prescribed to you. Your healthcare provider will decide how much ofeach ingredient you need to take.Vicodin is a powerful medication. Some people should not take it. Do not take Vicodinif you are allergic to acetaminophen, commonly called Tylenol®, codeine or morphine.If you have asthma or COPD, tell your healthcare provider. If you are pregnant,planning to get pregnant or are breastfeeding, talk to your healthcare provider beforetaking Vicodin. Before taking Vicodin, tell your healthcare provider if you have ahistory of head injury and stroke, liver, kidney or thyroid problems, and pancreasproblems.Vicodin can be highly addictive. If you have a history of abuse of street drugs orprescription medications, tell your healthcare provider. If you drink more than 3alcoholic drinks per day, or have a history of alcohol abuse, you may not be ableto20% gradient meshtake Vicodin.Some side effects of Vicodin include: constipation, nausea, headache, dizziness,andhealthclipssleepiness. If you do notice any of these side effects, contact your healthcare providerhealthclipsabout how to manage them.Be aware that you are at an increased risk of falling while taking Vicodin. Get healthclipsup froma sitting or lying position slowly. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery, includinghealthclipsyour car, until you know how Vicodin affects you.(cont’d next page)4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_md_10004_98_en_t00002.pdf healthclips© Milner-Fenwick, Inc.5% gradient meshVICODIN®TRANSCRIPT (page 2 of 2)Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist before taking any other product withacetaminophen in it, or any cold, sleep, pain or allergy medication. If you have troublebreathing, shortness of breath, fast heartbeat, chest pain, swelling in your face orthroat, or extreme tiredness, call 911 and get help immediately.This is not the complete list of side effects. Make sure you discuss all possible sideeffects with your healthcare provider.Take Vicodin exactly as prescribed. Do not change your dose.Always swallow the pill whole with plenty of water. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water a dayto avoid constipation.Vicodin is taken when needed, so you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you dotake it regularly and skip a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost timefor your next dose, skip your missed dose and return to your normal medicationschedule.Do not double dose. If you think you have taken too much Vicodin, call 911. Anoverdose of Vicodin can cause serious breathing problems that can lead to death.Store Vicodin away from moisture and direct sunlight. Your bathroom medicinecabinet is not the best place because of moisture. Do not leave your pills where theycan get too hot or too cold.Always store your medication out of sight and out of reach of children to preventaccidents. Because Vicodin is a narcotic that can cause dependency, it can be a verydesirable drug to addicts. Lock this medication up to prevent stealing and abuse.When you are done taking Vicodin, crush all of your remaining tablets and mix themwith undesirable trash, like kitty litter or coffee grounds. Do not sell or give your20% gradient meshVicodin to anyone else. It is against the law and can seriously harm anyone else takingit. Contact your local police station for more information on proper disposal directions.healthclipsVicodin can help relieve your pain, but it is a powerful medication that should onlyhealthclipsbe taken exactly as prescribed. If you have any questions about Vicodin, ask yourhealthcare provider and pharmacist for more information.healthclipshealthclips4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_md_10004_98_en_t00002.pdf healthclips© Milner-Fenwick, Inc.5% gradient mesh
