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Dangerous Effects of Vicodin and other Opioid Painkiller Abuse
Opioid analgesics are pharmaceutical medications used to relieve pain from injuries, surgery and other medical conditions. Because of their pain relieving properties, opioids are commonly prescribed medications but unfortunately their pleasurable and sedating side effects also make this class of drugs widely sought after and misused.
Vicodin contains hydrocodone which is an opiate and due to widespread use and misuse of prescription opioid medications in the United States, Vicodin is one of the most common forms of addiction in the nation. When Vicodin is misused and taken in high doses or administered in ways other than safely prescribed, users can experience a sense of strong euphoria but there are other dangerous side effects that need to be taken into consideration as well.
Respiratory depression is among the most serious and dangerous adverse effects of opioids especially when painkillers or other opiates are administered in high doses. Sadly even a single large dose of Vicodin can cause severe respiratory depression which could result in death. Excessive use of Vicodin or any other opioid painkiller can result in accidental overdose very easily and without immediate medical attention, breathing could stop altogether.
Opioids are very addictive and long term abuse of Vicodin or any other opiate can lead to a level of addiction that completely takes over a person's life. Abusers of Vicodin and other opiate painkillers typically abuse these powerful medications by ingesting high doses, crushing and snorting the powder or liquefying the drug and injecting the solution.
Other possible side effects of opioid medications include nausea, dizziness, lightheadedness, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, rash, headache, and euphoria.
