In House M.D., Gregory House is addicted to the painkiller Vicodin.
Vicodin is a prescription combination of hydrocodone and paracetamol, also called acetaminophen. In the series, House uses it to manage chronic leg pain caused by an infarction in his thigh muscle, but his use develops into dependence and repeatedly threatens his career and relationships.
House’s Vicodin use is not merely a character detail. It drives hospital conflicts, treatment attempts, relapses, and legal problems across multiple seasons. Colleagues often debate whether the drug helps him function or worsens his judgment.
The show sometimes uses “Vicodin” as shorthand for House’s addiction, although the real medication has known risks including dependence and liver injury from excessive acetaminophen. The fictional storyline simplifies some medical complexities.