Hydrocodone, sold under brand names such as Vicodin and Norco among many others, is a semisynthetic opioid derived from codeine, one of the opioid alkaloids found in the opium poppy. It is a narcotic analgesic used orally for relief of moderate to severe pain, but also commonly taken in liquid form as an antitussive/ cough suppressant. Vicodin Description. Hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen is supplied in tablet form for oral administration. WARNING: May be habit-forming (see PRECAUTIONS, Information for Patients/Caregivers, and DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE). Vicodin is one of a several brand names for the combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen. Previously listed as a schedule III drug, it will move in early October to schedule II by order of the Drug Enforcement Administration. Patients will be limited to one prescription at a time for a 90-day supply of the drug. For many years physicians have been able to freely prescribe hydrocodone products, the most popular of which is Vicodin, as Schedule III medications. by Ronald W. Chapman, II. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has published its final rule that places a more restrictive classification on hydrocodone combination products (HCPs) (Vicodin, Lortab, Lorcet, Norco, etc.). Drug Schedules. Drugs, substances, and certain chemicals used to make drugs are classified into five (5) distinct categories or schedules depending upon the drug’s acceptable medical use and the drug’s abuse or dependency potential. Schedule 2 (II) Drugs. The drug has a high potential for abuse. The drug has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. DEA today published a final rule moving hydrocodone combination products (HCPs) from Schedule III to Schedule II, effective October 6, 2014. APhA and most pharmacy groups strongly opposed the move. A controlled substance analogue is a substance which is intended for human consumption, is structurally substantially similar to a schedule I or schedule II substance, is pharmacologically substantially similar to a schedule I or schedule II substance, or is represented as being similar to a schedule I or schedule II substance and is not an approved medication in the United States. See 21 U.S. On June 30, 2009, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel voted by a narrow margin to advise the FDA to remove Vicodin and another opioid, Percocet, from the market because of a high likelihood of overdose from prescription narcotics and acetaminophen products.