Vicodin and Oxycodone are the two painkiller medicines that help to treat chronic and temporary pain in patients. Both of them are considered semi-synthetic opioids and contain acetaminophen. Similar chemical compositions are shared by both medicines. They are often combined with other painkiller medicines such as Ibuprofen etc. It is highly recommended that to not use any of the medicines when you recently used alcohol and other narcotic medications. Also not take an overdose, it can damage your liver or may cause death. So, always use it after the prescription of the doctors who determine your whole medical history and then recommend it accordingly. This article is all about Vicodin Vs Oxycodone their similarities, uses, and side effects, so if you want to know more details about all these then read the full article.
Comparison between Vicodin and Oxycodone
There are several comparisons between Vicodin and Oxycodone but before getting the difference between Vicodin vs Oxycodone you must know some basic details about Vicodin and Oxycodone.
Oxycodone
Oxycodone is a medication drug that belongs to the opioid analgesics class of drugs that helps to relieve pain and reduce cough. It is similar to codeine, morphine, and hydrocodone. This stimulates opioid receptors in the brain. The gain of tolerance reduces the discomfort to the pain.
Vicodin
Vicodin is a combination of acetaminophen and hydrocodone where acetaminophen is a less potent pain reliever. Hydrocodone is also used to relieve pain and reduce cough similar to Oxycodone. The receptors on the nerve cells are blocked by hydrocodone inside the brain. Acetaminophen is responsible to reduce fever and relieve pain.
Differences: Is Vicodin stronger than Oxycodone
Brand names
The brand names of Vicodin include Zydone, Norco, Zolvit, Xodol, Hycet, Zydone, Stagesic, Lorcet, Lortab, Zamicet, Maxidone, Vedrocet, Lorcet Plus and Anexsia.
The brand names of Oxycodone are Oxycet, Percocet, Oxecta, Endocet, Percodan, Roxicondan, and OxyContin.
Uses
Doctors administer Vicodin for the treatment of pain and backache in individuals. They used this medicine for chronic pain instead of acute pain. Acute pain is short-term pain whereas chronic pain is long-term pain. This medicine is also used to treat backache with other medicines.
Oxycodone is used to treat pain and fever in individuals. Nominal dosages were administered for the treatment of patients. Doctors examine the health conditions before giving this medicine to the patients.
Dosages
Vicodin: Vicodin ES and Vicodin HP tablets are some dosages available in Vicodin.
- Vicodin consists of 5 mg capsules. It is taken every 4 to 6 hours as a pain reliever. This dosage contains 8 tablets.
- Vicodin ES consists of 7.5 mg capsules. It is taken every 4 to 6 hours as a pain reliever. This dosage contains 6 tablets.
- Vicodin ES consists of 10 mg capsules. It is taken every 4 to 6 hours as a pain reliever. This dosage contains 6 tablets.
Oxycodone: The dosages included in Oxycodone are immediate-release tablets, extended-release tablets, and abuse-deterrant tablets.
- Immediate-release tablets consist of 5mg, 10mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, and 30 mg capsules. Patients not suffering from opioids take 5-15 mg capsules every 4 to 6 hours. 5mg oral concentrate is taken every 6 hours, whereas 10-30 mg oral solution is taken every 4 hours.
- Extended-release tablets contain 10 mg, 15 mg, 20mg, 30 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg, and 80 mg capsules. For better results, you should take this medicine in a gap of 12 hours.
- 5 mg, 13.5mg, 18 mg, 27 mg, and 36 mg capsules are abuse-deterrant tablets.
Drug Interactions
Vicodin: It interacts with 619 drugs, of which 211 are major, 11 are minor and 397 are moderate.
The several major interaction drugs used with Vicodin are as follows:
- Tylenol (acetaminophen)
- Neurontin (gabapentin)
- Lyrica (pregabalin)
- Tramadol
- Xanax (alprazolam)
- Ambien (zolpidem)
- Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine)
- Clonazepam
- Ziprasidone
- Telotristat
- Amiodarone
- Baclofen
- Bosentan
- Chloremazanone
Several minor interaction drugs used with Vicodin include the following:
- Ranitidine
- Sodium salicylate
- Diflunisal
- Niraparib
- Probenecid
- Zidovudine
- Cholestyramine
- Ethinyl estradiol
- Liraglutide
Several moderate interaction drugs used with Vicodin are:
- Alfuzosin
- Atenolol
- Amlodipine
- Benzthiazide
- Charcoal
- Carteolol
- Carvedilol
- Desmopressin
- Diazoxide
- Duloxetine
- Glofitamab
- Hydrochlorothiazide
- Indapamide
- Kaolin
- Losartan
Oxycodone: Oxycodone interacts with 578 drugs of which 208 are major, 1 is minor and 369 are moderate.
The several major interaction drugs used with Oxycodone are as follows:
- Abiraterone
- Diltiazem
- Ceritinib
- Dronedarone
- Triazolam
- Zaleplon
- Zolpidem
- Ramelton
Several moderate interaction drugs used with Oxycodone include the following:
- Biperiden
- Bisoprolol
- Bumetanide
- Alfetanil
- Probenecid
- Ziconotide
- Valproic Acid
- Ethinyl estradiol
- Enalapril
There is only 1 minor interaction drug used with Oxycodone evening primrose.
Side Effects
The Side Effects of Oxycodone include the following:
- Nausea
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Sore throat
- Sweating
The Side Effects of Vicodin are as follows:
- Chills
- Cough
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Sunken Eyes
Precautions
- Do not use the medicine if a person uses monoamine oxidase (MAO) Inhibitors.
- Do not use more than the prescribed dose.
- Visit a doctor before taking any medicine.
- Do not drive or do anything else which requires attentiveness.
- Keep the rest of the medicine in a safe and secure place.
- Patients must check the progress within 24 to 72 hours before taking the medicine.
- Call the doctor for instructions.
- Tell the doctor about pregnancy while taking medicine.
- If a person is suffering from diarrhea, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, or any kind of disease then he or she must talk to the doctor.
- The Doctor must know that a patient is taking the medicine.
- Do not take any other medicine without discussion with the doctor.
Conclusion
Vicodin and Oxycodone both contain acetaminophen and an opioid-type ingredient in which acetaminophen improves pain-relieving capabilities. But if you have to take precautions and only take after the prescription of the doctors. If you have any side effects after getting these medications then contact your doctor urgently otherwise it may cause serious health conditions. You should also tell your medical history to your doctors or if you are breastfeeding or pregnant. So hope this article helped you to know the difference between Vicodin vs Oxycodone and their side effects.