Pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care, and many want fast relief—especially when discomfort interferes with daily life. This often leads to questions about strong pain medications like Vicodin, including whether it can be purchased Vicodin over the counter (OTC). The short answer is no, but the reasons why are important to understand. This article explains what Vicodin is, why it isn’t sold OTC, how pain medications are regulated, and what alternatives exist.