PHARMACEUTICAL USE OF VICODIN:
In addition to the millions of Americans who suffer from chronic, intractable pain (resulting from serious injuries or diseases like cancer and fibromyalgia), there are tens of millions who experience relatively short episodes of pain connected to minor injury, surgery or non-life threatening diseases. These people deal with symptoms ranging from constant discomfort to complete incapacitation, and the slightest movement can cause excruciating pain.
Tragically, many of these pain sufferers are under-treated for a variety of reasons. Some physicians worry about prescribing narcotics, fearing retribution by state medical boards or government officials involved in fighting the ongoing “War On Drugs.” Other medical professionals, concerned about the potential for addiction, are reluctant to prescribe anything stronger than aspirin or Tylenol.
Against this backdrop of fear and potential prosecution, some doctors attempt to convince pain sufferers they are overstating their pain levels, and should simply “tough it out” or even seek psychiatric help, as though the pain is all in their heads. This widespread fear among doctors leads many to assume that anyone requesting narcotic pain medication is already addicted.
Since pain is a subjective condition (it can’t be measured in any standardized, objective manner), physicians settle for avoiding the potential of trouble instead of treating real, serious and potentially life-threatening conditions—including suicide. Among chronic pain sufferers, the suicide rate may be as much as 900% higher than the national average.
Inroads are being made, including the adoption of the Wong-Baker scale to allow adults to gauge their pain levels on a 1–10 scale. Children can refer to a series of cartoon faces, beginning with the familiar “happy face” of the 1970s (indicating 1, or “no pain”) and progressing to a crying, distressed and frowning countenance (meaning 10, or “hurts worst”). This diagnostic tool, approved by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, is part of a recent directive that requires all patient’s pain levels to be assessed throughout treatment, and the results documented.
Vicodin is one of the most widely prescribed opiate medications for treatment of moderate to severe pain. It is effective, well tolerated and inexpensive, with a mild side effects profile. Allergic reactions are highly unlikely, as are serious complications, such as slow or irregular breathing or heartbeat, or decreased urination. Common side effects include confusion, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, dizziness, drowsiness, flushing (redness of the face), temporary changes in vision or mood, along with the previously mentioned constipation. To avoid this, doctors suggest patients drink at least six glasses of water per day and eat foods high in fiber.
Due to the potential for serious complications or drug interactions, doctors caution patients to avoid alcohol (which can increase drowsiness and dizziness, and may cause damage to the liver) and other medications containing acetaminophen (such as Tylenol or over-the-counter fever, cold and allergy medications).
While Vicodin does have the potential to cause addiction, appropriate monitoring of patients by doctors trained in chronic pain management can all but eliminate this possibility. Some studies have shown that, among patients being treated for chronic pain, less than 1% become addicted if both doctor and patient cooperate in managing the quantity and frequency of opiate use.