VICODIN Farreya Khan Period 3

Common Names  Acetaminophen and hydrocodone  Street names:  Vikes  Hydros  Watson387  Structural formula:  4, 5 α -epoxy-3-methoxy-17-methylmorphinan-6-one tartrate (1:1) hydrate (2:5)

Vicodin Classification  Opiate  a drug with morphine-like effects, derived from opium  Opioid  a type of narcotic pain reliever  bind to opioid receptors in brain and spinal cord  Reduce sending of pain messages to brain  Schedule III  Potential for abuse, less than substances in Schedule I or II  Abuse may lead to moderate/low physical dependence  Abuse may lead to high psychological dependence

History  first medical use of acetaminophen  Knoll, German pharmaceutical company discovers hydrocodone  researcher in US Bureau of Social Hygiene finds reports that hydrocodone can cause addiction  acetaminophen brought into US  pure hydrocodone added to Schedule II drugs  Knoll brings vicodin(5 mg of hydrocodone and 500 mg of acetaminophen) into US  FDA warns acetaminophen can cause liver damage  federal advisory panel votes to recommend FDA to ban Vicodin

Production  Vicodin is made from hydrocodone and paracetamol (acetaminophen)  Hydrocodone is made by adding a hydrogen atom to codeine  Acetaminophen is made in a reaction between p- aminophenol and acetic anhydride  Vicodin is pretty widespread since it is a legal drug and used commonly for pain relief

The User  There are no “common” users of this drug  Anyone can become addicted  Teens are more susceptible More easily influenced by environment  Generally, people who have been using vicodin as a prescription begin to depend on the drug more and more  Low-Moderate physical dependence  High psychological dependence  Abuse happens for many reasons  The drug produces a sensation of relaxation and serenity  The drug is obtained mainly by  Prescriptions  Robbery  Dealers

Effects  Vicodin is usually taken orally  It can cause low- moderate physical addiction  It can cause high psychological addiction  Medicinally, it is used as a pain reliever and cough suppressant

Risks  The LD 50 is about 75 tablets  Emotionally, vicodin gives you a sense of well-being, relaxation, and euphoria  It can also cause dizziness, paranoia, altered sex drive, irritability, and drowsiness  It impairs motor skills  Long-term use can result in liver damage or liver failure  Overdose symptoms include confusion, slowed breathing, and unconsciousness

Detection  Detection depends on an individual’s metabolic rate, body mass, age, overall health, drug tolerance, and urine sample  Saliva: opiates can be detected in saliva for 12 hours-5 days after taking them  Urine: opiates can be detected 2-4 days  Hair: opiates can be detected up to 90 days  One dose of hydrocodone can be detected in urine for 6-24 hours after consumption  It goes undetected by the Coat-A-Count (CAC) test  It is detected by tests such as TDx opiates, abuscreen radioimmunoassay (ABUS), and EMIT opiate assay

Consequences  There is counseling available for those who have addiction problems:  Support groups  Individual counseling  Therapy  Various 12-step programs  Medical care and support  Some that I came across:  Project Know  Michael’s House  Rehab International  Legal consequences:  5 or less pills = fines, loss of drivers license, up to 18 months in jail  More than 5 pills = up to 5 years in jail  Selling vicodin = 5-10 years in jail or years in jail

Sources  medications medications         up-on-drug-tests/ up-on-drug-tests/  Vicodin-Possession-IntentToDistribute-PrescriptionForgery.asp Vicodin-Possession-IntentToDistribute-PrescriptionForgery.asp  