Vicodin was House’s prescription painkiller of choice in House M.D.
Vicodin is a brand-name combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen, used to treat pain. In the series, House takes it for chronic leg pain caused by an infarction in his quadriceps muscle. His reliance on the drug develops into a central part of his character arc and repeatedly threatens his medical career, relationships, and judgment.
The show treats House’s addiction as both a medical problem and a source of dramatic conflict. He seeks treatment at different points, experiences withdrawal, and faces restrictions from colleagues and hospital administrators. His pain and drug use are related, but they are not the same issue: pain management does not eliminate the risks of dependence.
Vicodin is often confused with other prescription opioids such as OxyContin, Percocet, or codeine. The exact formulation and availability of hydrocodone products have changed over time, but Vicodin is the medication consistently associated with House in the series.