Vicoprofen (Hydrocodone and Ibuprofen) Addiction

Vicoprofen is a prescription, brand-name combination drug. Vicoprofen is a combination of an opioid component, which is hydrocodone, and ibuprofen, which is another pain reliever. Both active ingredients deliver pain relief, but they work in different ways. Vicoprofen can be prescribed to patients suffering from moderate to severe pain, although it’s intended to be a short-term treatment. Vicoprofen shouldn’t be prescribed for more than ten days in most cases. While hydrocodone is an opioid, ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, also called an NSAID. Hydrocodone is only available by prescription, while ibuprofen is available over the counter as well as in prescription combination drugs. Hydrocodone works in the brain and central nervous system to change the way the body senses and responds to pain signals. Vicoprofen isn’t supposed to be used for the treatment of long-term pain, such as pain stemming from arthritis, and it’s not supposed to be used in children younger than six. When someone is prescribed Vicoprofen, they’re usually instructed to take it as-needed every four to six hours, and common side effects include nausea and vomiting.

Vicoprofen has the potential to be addictive, and that’s why it’s supposed only to be used as a short-term medication. The ibuprofen in this drug isn’t addictive, but the hydrocodone is. Hydrocodone is an opioid, also called a narcotic. Opioids provide powerful pain relief, but in doing so, they interact with the central nervous system and brain in a way that can lead to the development of an addiction. When someone uses hydrocodone, it binds to opioid receptor sites not only in the central nervous system but throughout the body. The brain may have a euphoric response and may be flooded with feel-good chemicals like dopamine. This euphoria or positive feeling can cause a reward response in the brain, which is how opioids can lead to addiction. The longer someone uses Vicoprofen, the more likely they are to become addicted. Once someone is addicted to Vicoprofen, their use of the drug is no longer under their control. Because of changes in the brain’s functionality and wiring, someone with an addiction to any substance displays behaviors of compulsive, out-of-control use.

Hydrocodone is one of the most commonly prescribed opioid pain relievers in the United States. It’s also included in well-known prescription drugs like Vicodin. Hydrocodone is a semi-synthetic opioid, manufactured from the natural opiate, codeine. Hydrocodone is classified as a Schedule II drug by the DEA in the U.S. This scheduling classification indicates hydrocodone has a high potential for misuse leading to severe psychological and physical dependence, despite its medical applications. Anytime someone is prescribed opioid pain medications, their doctor should go over all the risks with them first and explain to them the addictive nature of these drugs.

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