Gregory House famously depends on Vicodin in House M.D.
Vicodin is a brand name for a prescription combination containing hydrocodone and acetaminophen. In the series, House uses it to manage chronic leg pain caused by an infarction in his quadriceps muscle. His reliance on the drug becomes a continuing medical, professional, and personal conflict.
The medication is not simply a character prop. House's use affects his judgment, relationships, employment, and interactions with hospital administrators. Several storylines examine dependence, withdrawal, concealment, and the question of whether his diagnostic brilliance is connected to his suffering.
The show often uses “Vicodin” as the familiar brand reference, although real-world formulations and prescribing rules can vary by country and over time. Vicodin should not be confused with oxycodone-based medicines such as OxyContin or Percocet.