What painkiller does Dr. House commonly take in House, M.D.?

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Dr. House commonly takes Vicodin in House, M.D.

Vicodin is a brand name for a combination of hydrocodone and paracetamol, also called acetaminophen. In the series, House uses it to manage chronic pain associated with the infarction and muscle damage in his right leg.

His reliance on Vicodin is a recurring part of the character’s story rather than a minor prop detail. Colleagues repeatedly worry about his increasing use, and several plots examine addiction, withdrawal, impaired judgment, and the professional consequences of taking the medication.

The show’s fictional depiction should not be treated as medical guidance. Vicodin is an opioid-containing prescription medicine, and its risks include dependence and serious harm from excessive acetaminophen. The brand name is often remembered more readily than the two active ingredients.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Sept. 2026

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