Vicodin side effects?

Unfortunately, as with all opiate medications, there are side effects associated with Vicodin use. The opiate hydrocodone contained in Vicodin causes hormonal deficiencies, prolonged constipation, impaired brain blood flow distribution and chemical dependency. Many Vicodin dependent patients also receive dangerous, potentially fatal acetaminophen doses. Acetaminophen,the pain reliever combined with hydrocodone to create Vicodin, is metabolized by the liver. Patients may present liver damage when large doses, or chronic use of acetaminophen are reported.

Vicodin can cause liver toxicity

The Harvard Women’s Health Watch reports Acetaminophen overdose causes 56,000 emergency room visits and 458 deaths from acute liver failure annually, in the United States. An overdose is considered to be over 4,000 mg daily. Vicodin tablets contain 500, 660 or 750 milligrams of acetaminophen per tablet. Six Vicodin ES tablets contain a total of 4,500 milligrams of acetaminophen, which is considered an acetaminophen overdose. Acetaminophen doses exceeding 12,000 milligrams per day, frequently increase the alanine transaminase (AST) liver enzyme, which is released into the blood stream when the liver or heart is damaged.

Vicodin can cause hormonal imbalances

Opiate use severely decreases testosterone, while prolactin and cortisol are often increased. Thyroxine (T4) thyroid hormone often decreases, during opiate withdrawal. We have also found deficient DHEA sulfate levels in some patients we have treated for opiates. We frequently prescribe testosterone and thyroid hormone to depleted patients. Depression has decreased when we recommended DHEA for patients who tested with lowered levels. Opiate patients who gained excessive weight, due to opiate induced hypothyroidism, often look ten to twenty years younger, when they return for follow-up, after adequate hormonal treatment. Since dopamine is the inhibitory hormone for prolactin release, elevated prolactin levels, frequently indicate dopamine deficiency. Dopamine deficiency also requires correction to produce a successful recovery from opiate dependence.

Vicodin abuse can cause hearing loss

Hydrocodone overuse or abuse can be associated with a rapidly progressive sensorineural hearing loss. Friedman R, House J, Luxford W, Gherini S, Mills D. Profound hearing loss associated with hydrocodone/acetaminophen abuse. Am JOtol. 2000 Mar;21(2):188-91.

There is controversy concerning whether hearing loss experienced by radio talk show commentator, Rush Limbaugh, was caused by Vicodin or Oxycontin abuse. By August 2001, Limbaugh's listeners had noted changes in his voice and diction, changes that Limbaugh at first emphatically denied on the air. However, on October 8, 2001, Limbaugh acknowledged that the changes in his voice were due to complete deafness in his left ear and substantial hearing loss in his right ear. He also revealed that his radio staff was helping him receive calls on his show by setting up a system where he could appear to hear his callers. The system worked remarkably well, but did not convince all listeners, some of whom noted a long delay between a caller ending his point and Limbaugh responding and occasionally speaking over a caller. At times Limbaugh asked callers to hold on momentarily, while the caller's comments were typed and shown on Limbaugh's computer monitor.In December 2001, Limbaugh underwent cochlear implant surgery, which restored a measure of hearing in his left ear. His voice and enunciation returned to normal after the implant. According to his doctors, the deafness was caused by an autoimmune disease. Some medical experts pointed out that chronic use of opioids, such as OxyContin and particularly hydrocodone, both of which Limbaugh later admitted abusing, can compromise the function of the immune system and cause deafness, speculating that his use of these drugs could have caused or contributed to his problem. Limbaugh's doctors stated that "they were unsure of the exact cause of Limbaugh's hearing loss," but said that "overuse of medication was not a factor."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rush_Limbaugh#Hearing_problems.