What painkiller is Gregory House dependent on in House M.D.?

Gregory House is dependent on Vicodin in House M.D. Vicodin is a brand name for a prescription combination of hydrocodone and paracetamol, also called acetaminophen.

House uses the drug to manage severe chronic pain in his right leg. The pain resulted from an infarction that damaged muscle tissue, and the condition contributes to his limp and reliance on a cane. His treatment becomes a continuing medical, ethical, and personal problem throughout the series.

Vicodin also affects House’s relationships and professional life. Colleagues worry about his escalating use, while House often conceals the extent of his dependence or rationalizes it as necessary for his work. Several storylines examine withdrawal, rehabilitation, forged prescriptions, and the consequences of impaired judgment.

The show sometimes uses “Vicodin” as shorthand for House’s addiction, but the real medication contains two active ingredients. It is not the same drug as OxyContin, Percocet, or tramadol, which are separate prescription pain medicines.