What are the repercussions of taking vicodin long-term? I am currently taking 10/500 and my doctor said he's going to scale down my next dose so that it has less tylenol in it. Will it still work as well if it has less tylenol? Isn't it mostly the narcotic element that is giving me the pain relief? And again, what problems will arise from taking vicodin long-term? Thanks!
2007-03-20 10:42:38 · 20 answers · asked by BreadCollision 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
Side effects for Vicodin include an allergic reaction, weak breathing, seizures, clammy skin, severe weakness, dizziness, unconsciousness, yellowing of eyes or skin, unusual fatigue, bleeding, or bruising, constipation, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, muscle twitches, sweating, itching, tinnitus, hearing loss, decreased urination, and decreased sex drive. [4] Vicodin (in terms of hydrocodone) also has depressant effects on the central nervous system. [5] However, some of the less mundane effects can be desirable effects that are sought after by some. Those effects include euphoria and drowsiness, as well as slowing the pulse.[6] Vicodin has also been linked to causing stomach ulcers.
2007-03-20 10:47:13 · answer #1 · answered by gaia_fanatic 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Believe it or not, tylenol is one of the most toxic drugs around. Long term use of high doses of tylenol can cause major disfunctions in the liver, thus your doctor's concern. Vicodin contains both tylenol and oxycodone, that's what the 10/500 is all about. It contains both drugs because tylenol works on the actual pain, and the narcotic works on the brain's perception of pain. In other words, it keeps you from feeling it, it doesn't get rid of it. Long term use of any narcotic can be a problem because your body gets used to having it, just sort of incorporates it into it's regular chemical mix. You can tell that that has happened when the usual dose doesn't work on your pain like it used to. so to kill the pain, you need a higher dose. if you're treating a pain that will eventually resolve, like after you have surgery on your knee, it's not much of a problem, but if you're treating a long term pain, eventually the narcotic will impact your life unfavorably, causing sickness on its own. Listen to your doctor. He'll be surprised that you are so well informed!
2007-03-20 10:54:15 · answer #2 · answered by Jean O 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The problem with taking it long term is the Tylenol. It will cause liver damage if taken every day for a long period of time. Long term use of a narcotic causes DEPENDANCE not addiction. Addiction is a pattern of behavior and it is characterized by spending significant time pursuing, obtaining, or using a drug, even when doing so causes detrimental consequences. If you take the medication as prescribed by your doctr, there is a less than one percent chance that you will become addicted. needing long-term narcotics does not make you a junky or an addict. It is exactly the same thing as a diabetic taking insulin for their diabetes: you have a medical condition and you take medication for it. No one calls a diabetic an insulin addict. Narcotics are extremely appropriate for chronic pain management, in fact, they are the oldest and safest form of pain medication available. As long as you are following your doctor's orders explicitly, you are not a junky or a drug addict and you're not going to become one. It's when people self-adjust their meds that problems arise. Don't let the opiophobes scare you. If God hadn't meant for us to take narcotics for pain relief, he wouldn't have put receptors in our brain for them to attach to.
2007-03-20 18:02:34 · answer #3 · answered by Mandy VZ 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can get poisoned from too much acetaminophen - it;s called acetaminophen poisoning, in which it destroys liver function. Long term use of high doses can ruin your liver. The narcotic is very addictive and can make you dependent upon it, so much so in fact that your brain thinks it needs it to regulate your mood. The problem with pain management is that the drugs you take to manage the pain are not for real long term use. Seeking alternative therapies for your pain might be the better course to take. There is hypnosis or mediation. Try it and see if you can somehow stop putting drugs into your system.
Good luck to you!!
2007-03-20 10:56:15 · answer #4 · answered by lanibear55 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Vicodin is a narcotic anagelsic. It is very addicting. Not just physically, but mentally as well. Just trying to get off is can result in severe headaches, as well as mood changes. It's better to start cutting down now, before it goes too far.
2007-03-23 23:56:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Taking Vicodin long term can cause you to get addicted, and it won't work as well because of your tolerance. I take Methadone for pain management, I had taken Vicodin and about everything else in the book prior to it.
2007-03-20 10:56:06 · answer #6 · answered by fisherwoman 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I am not a doctor but my brother in law takes about 10 /1000mg pills a day( he's addicted and has severe back pain) and he has to periodically go in to have liver function tests done so my guess is it can mess up your liver and I'm sure a lot more!
Good Luck!
2007-03-20 10:52:19 · answer #7 · answered by Jenifer B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
addiction can occur due to the narcotic aspect of it. I have a friend who has to be on pain killers for something & he most definitely has an addiction now...he ends up taking one even when he's not in pain just cause he feels good on it.
2007-03-20 10:47:21 · answer #8 · answered by §uper ®ose 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Long term, vicodin is seriously addictive, and as your body adjusts to that, it will stop helping the pain. Neither is good!!
2007-03-20 10:48:26 · answer #9 · answered by Dust in the wind 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Vicodin is a very seductive and addictive drug. You can become dependent on it and find it hard to kick.
It also has serious side effects like seizures and erratic behavior.
Getting hooked on the Vike is not a good idea.
2007-03-20 10:46:45 · answer #10 · answered by united9198 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋