Dr. Gregory House becomes dependent on Vicodin in House M.D.
Vicodin is a brand name for a combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen. In the series, House takes it to manage chronic pain caused by an infarction in the quadriceps muscle of his right leg. His reliance on the medication becomes one of the show’s most persistent personal and professional conflicts.
House’s pain and addiction are closely linked to his character development. He often argues that the drug allows him to function, while colleagues and friends worry about dependence, impaired judgment, and the consequences of withdrawal. Several storylines examine attempts to stop or control his use.
The drug is sometimes misidentified as OxyContin because both are prescription opioid medications. They are not the same product: Vicodin combines hydrocodone with acetaminophen, while OxyContin is an extended-release form of oxycodone. The show uses Vicodin as a recurring symbol of House’s physical and emotional isolation.