Gregory House repeatedly misuses Vicodin in House M.D., using it to manage chronic pain from his damaged leg.
Vicodin is a brand name for a combination of hydrocodone and paracetamol, known as acetaminophen in the United States. Hydrocodone is an opioid pain reliever, while acetaminophen is a non-opioid analgesic.
House’s dependence on the drug is a continuing storyline rather than a minor character detail. The series shows how his pain, self-image, professional pressure, and addiction affect his judgment and relationships. Several story arcs focus on attempts to stop using Vicodin and the consequences of withdrawal or relapse.
The drug is sometimes confused with other prescription painkillers that appear in television dramas. In House M.D., Vicodin is specifically associated with House’s chronic leg pain and substance dependence. The brand’s formulation and availability have also changed over time, but the show consistently uses the name Vicodin.