Vicodin for COUGH??

Updated on October 04, 2011
R.D. asks from Richmond, VA
25 answers

So I went to the doctor yesterday, I'm so awesome, I have bronchitis AND pneumonia. Only me ;)

ANYWAY, the doctor loaded me up with RXs for an antibiotic (yay! I've never been so happy about taking medicine before in my life!), recommended Mucinex D to take religiously over the next 4 days, and VICODIN to take before bed at night for the COUGH (that I'm already getting from the junk breaking up in my chest)...

Have you ever heard such a thing? Maybe I watch too much House... I thought Vicodin was for pain. Have you ever been prescribed Vicodin for a cough??

What can I do next?

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So What Happened?

Oh yeah, it's got hydrocodiene in it, I guess that makes sense, and YES Lisa, my chest doesn't hurt like crazy!! ;)

Karen H, last time I checked, you're not a doctor...

LOL GRANDMA T!! Your honesty is amazing :)

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M.M.

answers from Chicago on

Codeine in Vicodin is a cough suppressant. It will also help you sleep better it is a narcotic and a sedative. Sweet dreams!
Do not listen to people who are telling you to stop taking it because it is addictive. The doctor probably gave you a few days supply only. You will not get addicted after a few days, taking it at bedtime!

I do not want to put my credentials on here, but trust me - you doc gave you a good combo - get better soon!

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☆.A.

answers from Pittsburgh on

My coughs always get worse at night, so my bet is that it was given to help you sleep better--which is because Vicodin is antitussive (suppresses the cough reflex).

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M.M.

answers from Washington DC on

I was prescribed Vicodin once. I took one pill and it made me freaking crazy. Same thing happened with Tylenol 3. I'm extremely sensitive to codiene, so I found out. But I tell the doctors I am allergic.
I had hallucinations when I was awake and nightmares, I would be really woozy, then really spastic. It also made me nauseous. It was a bad trip, let me tell you.

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L.L.

answers from Rochester on

I have been prescribed Vicodin for a cough associated with pneumonia, which is what you have. The same pneumonia had me coughing so hard I tore cartilidge (wow, I've tried every combination I can think of, and apparently I cannot spell that word) on my ribs and cracked two of them as well. Even without that, the cough hurt so, SO bad.

9 moms found this helpful

T.N.

answers from Albany on

If you don't want it, I'll take it, tehehe.

Feel better soon, sista!

:)

8 moms found this helpful

G.T.

answers from Redding on

You did say your chest was hurting, maybe that's why the vicodin? I've never had a doc prescribe it to me before for anything cept for when I had my wisdom teeth removed. Taking vicodin at night seems weird to me tho, that stuff makes me hyper and unable to sleep.
Also, I think it's a much over prescribed drug, one that half of America seems to be hooked on. I'd use it sparingly and just keep it on hand for times when you "really" need it. I used to like it when I was on my period when it was a more painful one than normal. The "recreational" vicodin with a beer (which I know is a no no pretty much) was also a nice buzz... in my younger, more crazy years..

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C.J.

answers from Dallas on

R. - my 2 cents. drink a ton of water! they gave me vicodin for pain after my first son was born and the side effect I had was it stopped my BMs. I talk to my midwife at the time and she explained that some of these pain meds (tylenol 3, vocodin) can cause that to happen if you don't drink, drink, drink.
hope you feel better!

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S.B.

answers from Redding on

I just had pneumonia a month ago. The doctor gave me vicodin to take at night because I was coughing my head off.
They want you coughing during the day so you can get the junk out of your lungs, but you need to sleep at night so you can get better.
In the past, I've been given codeine cough syrup to take at bedtime. It serves the same purpose.
I hope you're better soon.

6 moms found this helpful

L.C.

answers from Houston on

Vicodin works awesome for cough. Look it up online. For me, its better for cough than pain. If you start getting loopy, back off on the dose. Just take as prescribed and stop when your doc says. I've used it a few times and was never addicted. Also its not codeine. Its hydrocodone. Drug info says its a narcotic analgesic (pain reliever) and antitussive (cough suppressant). There is nothing shady with this advice from your doctor. Hope you feel better soon.

5 moms found this helpful

J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

If Vicodin is so addictive in all cases, all you people who watch too much House, then why am I always prescribed it for my knee surgeries, I have had five of them, and I have never become addicted to it.

Hum.....

Since I hadn't fully recovered from my ACL surgery when I married this summer everyone was worried about my knee. I assured everyone I was properly pickled with vicodin and motrin but no worries I timed the vicodin to wear off before the reception so I could drink like a proper bride. :p

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J.S.

answers from Chicago on

My husband was prescribed vicodin in syrup form for his cough. It was so he could sleep at night and not wake up with those terrible coughing spasms.

Feel better soon, R.!

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N.N.

answers from Detroit on

I pray you feel better soon Ray!

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C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

Vicodin is used for pain - so since you have been sick for a while and probably hurting from coughing so much - they probably Rxed that so that you can cough "more pain free"! Especially if you have bronchitis and your chest probably hurts like the dickens!!

Please keep in mind that Vicodin is a narcotic and is highly addictive. So use it sparingly, please.

I'm glad you are on the road to recovery!!! YAY!!!

4 moms found this helpful

ღ..

answers from Detroit on

No, but maybe its to make you feel more comfortable since you feel like hell on fire. I know for sure it will help you sleep better, but wasnt aware it could help a cough. I prefer percosets anyways. ;)

True that Theresa, true that!

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L.C.

answers from Dover on

Acutally, yes, they gave codine to my daughter and my nephew for a cough and that's what's in vicodin. When I asked, he told me it was to relax your throat so you wouldn't get reflexive coughing from the irritation in the back of your throat. It worked too.

And just think, your chest won't hurt so dadgum much!

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J.C.

answers from New York on

I think I feel a little itchy and scratchy in my throat. Better go get me some Vicodin. :)

3 moms found this helpful

H.V.

answers from Cleveland on

Vicodin is for pain, but it is a muscle relaxer hehe

So it will stop your chest from hurting and also help those muscle chill :)

Sad for me..I am allergic to Vicodin...haha It makes me VERY VERY ill.
Damnit!! ahha

3 moms found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

A few years ago I had a cough that would not quit for something like 8 weeks.
My ribs were getting sore from coughing so much.
It's not like there was a lot of phlegm but once a cough started it just went on and on.
I never had a fever.
Finally I went to the Dr and I was relieved to find it was not whooping cough or TB or pneumonia or bronchitis but just one heck of a lingering cough.
He gave me some cough medicine with codine in it - just enough to last 3 days.
(I didn't need any antibiotics.)
And that helped me SO MUCH.
I could sleep without waking up through the night with bouts of coughing and that quality rest was enough to finally finish off that cough.

2 moms found this helpful

✤.J.

answers from Dover on

I was going to say the same thing as the majority, the codiene is a cough suppressant, but I wanted to add that your note to Karen in your SWH cracked me up. ;)

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S.W.

answers from Amarillo on

Yes vicodin for a cough. I took some about a year back because I could not stop coughing and need to rest. Go to the web and it will state that it is for coughing. However, I had side affects and vomited but I had enough in my system that it helped immensely. My doctor prescribed me a little clear tablet that helps me so that I don't get headaches from coughing and other issues using muscles so much.

I am prone to getting pneumonia and I have to watch my colds and coughing. Sometimes we as adults don't realize that we have a weak spot in our system - sometimes heart, sometimes lungs - and we have problems over and over again.

Many doctors offices will state that they WILL NOT prescribe drugs after 3pm on Friday until Monday morning. So this is why the clinic gave you the steroid pack. I cannot imagine the pain that you had for that amount of time but I do sympathize with you.

Please get some much needed rest so that you can take care of your family.

The other S.

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D.B.

answers from Charlotte on

.

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K.D.

answers from New York on

Never heard of that. VicOdin is not indicated for cough, it is a pain reliever and is for pain. It is a narcotic and it is habit-forming, and there are withdrawal symptoms after stopping taking it. Why would someone prescribe that when there are plenty of cough medicines he could prescribe? I would beware. Tylenol with codeine will do the same things without the risk.

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L.M.

answers from Kansas City on

Careful, Vicodin is addictive. Can you ask for an alternative?

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J.L.

answers from Chicago on

hmmmm...codein (sp) yes...vicodin no....What does the prescription bottle say?

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A.S.

answers from Boca Raton on

I would be very careful with the Vicodin . . .

Hope you feel better soon!

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