Hydrocodone commonly called "Vicodin"

Hydrocodone is one of the most prescribed painkillers and is often commonly prescribed after dental surgury such as a tooth extraction.

Hydrocodone was invented in Germany in 1920 and is a powerful opioid derived from codeine and thebaine. It is taken orally and can act as a pain reliever and as a cough medicine. As a narcotic Hydrocodone binds to pain receptors in the brain and spinal cord. This powerful narcotic effect makes this a potentially addictive medication.

The drug is often combined with other, less powerful drugs like ibuprofin to help limit the dosage while providing powerful analgesic relief to the patient.

Hydrocodone is marketed using many brand names including: Anexsia, Dicodid, Hycodan, Hydromet, Hycomine, Lorcet, Lortab, Norco, Novahistex, Hydroco, Tussionex, Vicoprofen, Xodol. Bekadid, Calmodid, Codinovo, Duodin, Kolikodol,Orthoxycol, Mercodinone, Synkonin, Norgan,Hydrokon, Vicodin.

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Wikipedia on Hydrocodone