Signs, Symptoms And Side Effects Of Vicoprofen (Hydrocodone/Ibuprofen) Abuse

What Is Vicoprofen (Hydrocodone/Ibuprofen)?

Vicoprofen is a potent pain-relieving combination medication. This brand-name drug includes hydrocodone, which is an opioid, and ibuprofen, which is an NSAID. Vicoprofen can be given to patients who experience temporary moderate to severe pain. The medication shouldn’t be prescribed for more than about ten days, however. The reason Vicoprofen is a short-term pain medication is that hydrocodone has misuse and addiction potential. The longer someone uses Vicoprofen, the higher the risk of addiction as well as physical dependence. Due to the inclusion of hydrocodone, a derivative of codeine, Vicoprofen changes the way the body senses and responds to pain signals. Opioids are highly addictive because of the way they interact with the brain and neurotransmitters. Opioids like hydrocodone can create a reward response in the brain and can ultimately change how the brain functions. Those factors can cause addiction.

Symptoms Of Vicoprofen Abuse

Anytime someone is using Vicoprofen outside of prescription guidelines and instructions, it’s considered misuse. Prescription drug misuse can include using Vicoprofen more often than instructed or using higher doses. If someone uses Vicoprofen without a prescription, by stealing it or buying it illicitly, this is also a symptom of misuse. Crushing the tablets to snort them or dissolve and inject them is a symptom of Vicoprofen misuse. Outward signs of Vicoprofen misuse may include euphoria followed by drowsiness, withdrawing from social activities and responsibilities, tiny pupils, and nausea, vomiting or itching.

Side Effects Of Vicoprofen Abuse

Misusing prescription drugs can lead to serious and sometimes deadly side effects. This is particularly true of opioids. Two of the most concerning side effects of Vicoprofen misuse are addiction and dependence. The longer or more heavily someone misuses Vicoprofen, the more likely they are to become addicted. Dependence is a scenario where someone’s body depends on the presence of the drug after using it for a period of time. Dependence causes withdrawal symptoms if someone tries to stop using the drug suddenly. Along with addiction and dependence, other side effects of Vicoprofen misuse can include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Constipation
• Confusion
• Slow breathing
• Slow heartbeat
• Concentration problems
• Changes in mood or behavior
• Changes in vision
• Dry mouth
• Impaired cognition, memory and motor skills

Vicoprofen Addiction

The above are symptoms and side effects of Vicoprofen misuse, but this is different from addiction. Misuse is likely to lead to addiction, but addiction is a diagnosable disease of the brain that also effects behavior and physical health. A substance addiction disorder can be diagnosed based on how many symptoms a person displays, and it can also be characterized as mild, moderate or severe. First, when someone has a Vicoprofen addiction, their use of the drug is no longer under their control. Someone who is addicted to a substance compulsively uses it because changes in their brain are driving them to do so. The 5^th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) describes addiction as “Substance Use Disorder.” Other Vicoprofen addiction signs can include:

• Using Vicoprofen even when there are negative side effects or consequences
• Trying to stop using Vicoprofen unsuccessfully
• The development of a physical dependence
• Failing to meet responsibilities because of Vicoprofen use
• Vicoprofen is a top priority in the person’s life
• Intense focus on maintaining a supply of the drug
• Risk-taking either while on Vicoprofen or to obtain more of it
• An obsession with Vicoprofen
• Withdrawing from life or a sense of secrecy
• Legal, financial and relationship problems

Vicoprofen Long-Term Effects

The long-term effects of Vicoprofen can be severe. For example, people who have been using this drug for a long time may experience liver damage, depression and other psychological symptoms and disorders, and damage to the brain and respiratory system. Damage to the cardiac system and other organs is possible as well because these systems may not be able to get adequate oxygen when someone is using large doses of Vicoprofen. Psychosis, hallucinations and mood swings may occur. The longer someone uses Vicoprofen, the more likely they are to overdose as well. When someone overdoses on Vicoprofen, their breathing slows so much that they have brain damage, go into a coma or die. Since Vicoprofen is a combination drug, there can be long-term effects from the ibuprofen as well as the hydrocodone. First, ibuprofen can increase the risk of heart problems, and it’s been linked to an increased risk of heart attacks, blood clots and strokes. Ibuprofen can also damage stomach lining, increasing the risk of ulcers and heartburn.

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