House's fictional addiction to pain medication in House M.D. centers on Vicodin.
Vicodin is a brand-name combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen. In the series, House takes it to manage chronic leg pain caused by an infarction that damaged muscle in his thigh. His dependence becomes a central character and plot issue, affecting his judgment, relationships, employment, and treatment decisions.
The medication is not simply a prop: House's use of it is repeatedly examined as both a medical problem and a source of conflict. Several storylines portray attempts to stop, regulate, or conceal his use.
The show sometimes depicts other medications or rehabilitation settings, which can lead to confusion about the specific drug associated with House. The recurring prescription and addiction that define his early characterization are linked to Vicodin.