Vicodin is a drug used for controlling moderate to severe pain. It is actually a combination of two other medications called hydrocodone and acetaminophen. Hydrocodone is a narcotic and has the potential for abuse, dependence and addiction. When an individual has been taking Vicodin for more than four or five days, a sudden stopping of the medication can result in withdrawal symptoms--headache, tiredness and fatigue. The severity of the symptoms is proportional to the length of time the individual has been taking Vicodin and to the dose.
Headache
Since Vicodin's primary effect is pain control, when the drug is removed, the body's nervous system swings into reverse mode. So a main component of the withdrawal is pain and headache. This can typically be managed with increased water intake and over-the-counter pain medications and by keeping the patient in a quiet environment free from audio or visual stimuli. Generally speaking, slowly tapering will help to reduce the severity of the withdrawal symptoms.
Tiredness
For some people, using Vicodin results in euphoria, a sense of well-being and increased levels of energy. A sudden cessation of Vicodin results in an unusual feeling of tiredness. Tiredness can also be attributed to poor eating and sleeping habits while taking Vicodin. One can imagine that the body's true condition is "unmasked" once the effects of the Vicodin are removed.
Fatigue
One of the most common symptoms of Vicodin withdrawal is generalized fatigue. This is a feeling that is not alleviated by rest, relaxation or sleep. In general, symptoms of Vicodin withdrawal peak in three to five days and slowly resolve after that. Physical symptoms typically resolve sooner than psychological or emotional ones.
