Hydrocodone diversion and recreational use have escalated due to its opioid effects. [12] In 2009 and 2010, hydrocodone was the second most frequently encountered opioid in the pharmaceutical industry. In-drug evidence was submitted to U.S. federal state and local forensic laboratories as reported by the Drug Enforcement Administration 's National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS. Find patient medical information for Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen (Norco, Vicodin, others) on WebMD including its uses, side effects and safety, interactions, pictures. Vicodin is a prescription opioid medication used to treat the symptoms of moderate to severe pain. Learn about uses, dosage, side effects, drug interactions, warnings, overdose, and more. Vicodin is a pain medicine that combines the opioid narcotic hydrocodone and non-narcotic pain reliever acetaminophen. Get a detailed overview of Vicodin, including recommended Vicodin dosages, whether Vicodin is an opioid, and potential interactions for Vicodin and alcohol. Vicodin (hydrocodone / acetaminophen) is a controlled substance because there's a risk for misuse and addiction. Take the medication exactly as prescribed. Don't change the dose or how often you take it without talking to your prescriber first. Misusing Vicodin (hydrocodone / acetaminophen) might cause the medication to work less well. Vicodin is a prescription medicine best for relieving medium- to extreme pain. When other painkiller medicines fail to work, Vicodin dosage appears as a hero. It stops hitting the pain message to the brain and does this work with the help of hydrocodone, which is an opioid. Hydrocodone gets control over the brain’s opioid receptors. Vicodin was a strong prescription combination pain medicine containing an opioid, hydrocodone, in addition to acetaminophen, which was used to manage moderate to moderately severe pain, when other pain treatments such as non-opioid pain medicines did not relieve pain well enough, or were not tolerated. It has been discontinued, but generics are available. Vicodin relieves moderate to severe pain, but it carries real risks including dependence, liver damage, and serious side effects worth knowing about. Vicodin and Norco are two brand-name drugs now only prescribed as generic versions, which are different dosage forms of hydrocodone and acetaminophen. Learn more about their similarities and differences. Detailed dosage guidelines and administration information for Vicodin (hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen). Includes dose adjustments, warnings and precautions.