Hydrocodone bitartrate, 7. 5 mg; acetaminophen, 750 mg Indicated to treat moderate to severe pain, this combination contains hydrocodone, an opioid analgesic, and acetaminophen, a nonopioid analgesic. But hydrocodone and other vicodin ingredient prescription medicines can be as harmful as illicit street drugs when abused or combined with alcohol or other medications. Unfortunately, there’s some bad news too: Abuse of prescription drugs remains at vicodin ingredient high levels. PRESCRIPTION FOR DISASTER A prescription is a doctor’s instructions to a particular patient: Only this person can take this medication, in this amount, for this length of time. Tell her to use sunscreen to prevent severe sunburn. Another well-known opioid is oxycodone, the generic name for the drugs Oxycontin[R], Percodan[R], and Percocet[R]. Hydrocodone is formulated under a number vicodin ingredient of different brand names, such as Vicodin[R], Anexsia[R], Lorcet[R], and Norco[R]. Available by prescription only, hydrocodone is similar in potency to oral morphine (an analgesic derived from poppies) and is in the same opioid drug class as heroin. It may cause dizziness, drowsiness, and constipation. When the medication is taken on purpose for any other reason, by any other person, including the patient, vicodin ingredient that is called abuse. Pseudoephedrine relieves nasal congestion; chlorpheniramine, an antihistamine, relieves sneezing and itchy eyes, nose, and throat; codeine is an opioid antitussive. Volkow, M. , Director of NIDA, points out: "Hydrocodone is a powerful pain medication, but when abused–used without vicodin ingredient a prescription, from someone else’s prescription, or in a different form or dosage than what a doctor would prescribe–it can lead to serious health consequences, even death, especially when combined with alcohol or other drugs. " SO, WHAT IS HYDROCODONE? Hydrocodone is a powerful opioid (a pain reliever acting on the central nervous system) for the relief of moderate to severe pain. Available by prescription only, hydrocodone is similar in potency to oral morphine (an analgesic derived from poppies) and is in the same opioid drug class as heroin. PRESCRIPTION FOR DISASTER A prescription is a doctor’s instructions to a particular patient: Only, this person can take this medication, in this amount, for this length of time. Tell your Vicodin ingredient patient to take the tablets in the correct order to correspond with her menstrual phases. Dangers when abused: Vicodin ingredient * Addictive * Can slow breathing and heartbeat, especially if combined with prescription pain medicines, certain over-the-counter cold and allergy medications, or alcohol * Can lead to withdrawal and possible seizures when discontinued after prolonged use or high doses Stimulants, like Ritalin[R] and Adderall[R], are prescribed mainly for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Dangers when abused: * Vicodin ingredient addictive * Can create extremely high body temperature * Can cause seizures/irregular heartbeat For additional information on prescription drug abuse and addiction, see: www. Drugabuse. Gov/researchreports /prescription/prescription. Html www. Scholastic. Com/headsup HEADS UP: WHAT DO YOU vicodin ingredient know? Answer the questions below to test yourself on vocabulary and facts you learned in the article "The Lowdown on Hydrocodone. " VOCABULARY Match each word in Column A to its meaning in Column B. (B) vicodin ingredient able to slow down one’s breathing.