Vicodin is a prescription pain medication used to alleviate moderate to moderately severe pain. It is a combination drug, meaning it contains two active ingredients: hydrocodone bitartrate, an opioid pain reliever, and acetaminophen, a non-opioid pain reliever. This combination works to change how the body perceives and responds to pain signals.
Understanding Vicodin’s Strengths
The strength of Vicodin refers to the specific amounts of hydrocodone and acetaminophen in each tablet. While brand-name Vicodin formulations were discontinued, generic versions are widely available. These generics come in specific dosage combinations.
Common strengths include 5 mg hydrocodone with 300 mg acetaminophen, 7.5 mg hydrocodone with 300 mg acetaminophen, and 10 mg hydrocodone with 300 mg acetaminophen. In these designations, the first number indicates milligrams of hydrocodone bitartrate, and the second represents milligrams of acetaminophen.
Identifying Tablets by Appearance
Their exact appearance can vary by manufacturer and strength, but generic Vicodin tablets are typically white and often oblong or oval-shaped, frequently featuring a scoreline to facilitate splitting. Distinguishing imprints or markings are present on the tablets for identification and correct dosage.
For instance, 5 mg/300 mg tablets may be white and oblong with imprints such as “A41,” “C114,” or “N351,” or may be marked “VICODIN 5 300.” The 7.5 mg/300 mg strength often appears as a white, oblong tablet imprinted with “A42,” “C115,” or “N352.” Similarly, 10 mg/300 mg tablets are typically white and oblong, bearing imprints like “A43,” “C116,” or “N353,” or “VICODIN HP 10 300.” These cues help differentiate strengths and ensure proper use.
Packaging and Safe Storage
Vicodin tablets are supplied for oral administration, typically dispensed in child-resistant containers. Proper storage is important to maintain the medication’s effectiveness and prevent accidental exposure. It should be stored at room temperature, ideally between 68 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 25 degrees Celsius), away from excessive heat, moisture, and direct light.
Keeping the medication in its original container protects it from environmental factors and ensures that important dosage and warning information remains accessible. As a controlled substance, store Vicodin in a secure location, such as a locked cabinet or drawer, out of reach of children and pets. When no longer needed or expired, proper disposal is recommended. Options include drug take-back programs, mail-back programs, or mixing tablets with an unpalatable substance like coffee grounds or cat litter before discarding in household trash. Vicodin is also on the FDA’s “flush list,” meaning it can be flushed down the toilet if other disposal options are not readily available, to quickly remove it from the home and prevent accidental ingestion.