Vicodin Detox
Vicodin detox is the process in which individuals eliminate all traces of this opioid from the system. This process can be extremely difficult and highlighted by multiple negative withdrawal side-effects.
Significant risks associated with opioid abuse disorder and detox are present in Vicodin. However, because of the ingredients contained in Vicodin, the risks with this drug specifically may be more severe.
What is Vicodin, and what ingredients in this drug make it so dangerous? In this article, we’ll answer both of these questions and more.
What Is Vicodin?
Vicodin is a brand-name prescription drug containing a combination of the opioid hydrocodone and acetaminophen (Tylenol). This drug is typically prescribed for breakthrough pain, providing quick, short-term relief for patients after surgery and other minor injuries.
Vicodin is normally effective in relieving pain for about six hours. This medication is also prescribed in patients with long-term issues like cancer and other ailments in combination with long-acting pain relievers like morphine.
Acetaminophen, one of the primary ingredients in Vicodin, could potentially be more dangerous than the opioid portion of the formula. Taken as prescribed, there is no significant risk involved. However, when Vicodin is abused and taken in large quantities, there is a marked risk of liver damage.
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Acetaminophen and Liver Damage Risk
It’s possible to experience acetaminophen poisoning that leads to liver damage when large amounts of the medication are consumed. There is a significant risk of this poisoning when individuals abuse Vicodin because of the levels of the ingredients.
In most formulations of Vicodin, the content is 5 mg of hydrocodone with 325 mg of acetaminophen. There are other specific combinations, but the fact remains the same with each of them. Levels of acetaminophen are always much higher than those of hydrocodone.
Because of the lopsided ratios, users commonly ingest large amounts of Vicodin to achieve the desired effect from the hydrocodone. For example, someone consuming ten Vicodin may only ingest 50 mg of hydrocodone while simultaneously ingesting 5,000 mg of acetaminophen.
This isn’t an uncommon scenario among individuals who consume Vicodin. The problem with this is the recommended safe daily maximum dose of acetaminophen is 4,000 mg, with overdose reaching somewhere around 4,500.
Acetaminophen overdose is a serious health event. Some of the most common signs and symptoms of this poisoning include the following:
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Heavy sweating
- Dark urine and stools
- Pale skin color
- Bruising
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms following ingestion of acetaminophen, it’s crucial to get emergency medical assistance immediately. Because of the risks associated with this form of poisoning, Vicodin detox is necessary to lower these risks.