Nowadays, physical pain is one of the most common health problems. Many individuals are suffering from pain. Vicodin and Percocet are the most common medicines used to treat patients with moderate to severe pain. These drugs are known as pain-alleviating medications. This article is all about ‘Vicodin Vs Percocet’.
These medications are used to treat pain relief caused by various injuries and other health-related conditions. Sometimes, pain occurs due to several health conditions such as swelling, back pain, and physical pain, etc, These pains can be treated by various medications such as Paracetamol, Aspirin, etc., including Percocet medicine.
What is Percocet?
Percocet medication is a prescription-only drug. This medication is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is used to treat moderate to severe pain caused by various injuries, accidents, and other medical conditions. This medicine also has the potential to reduce swelling and can also restrict the formation of mucus.
Percocet is a brand name of a medicine that contains oxycodone and acetaminophen. Oxycodone is an opioid. Opioids prevent some pain signals by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord. Opioids can trigger sleepiness in some cases.
What is Vicodin?
Vicodin is a pain relief medicine that is used to treat moderate to severe pain caused by accidents and pain occurring during surgery. It can also help to relieve severe back pain. The main ingredients used in the manufacturing of Vicodin drugs are Acetaminophen and Hydrocodone which are also generic drugs for this brand name medicine.
This drug is prescribed by a healthcare professional to the patients. This medicine is generally used by doctors or physicians when a particular type of treatment is required and is known as short-term pain relieving treatment. This medication functions on the Central Nervous System (CNS) mainly in the brain to stimulate the brain chemicals that are responsible for any kind of pain whether it is mild, moderate, or severe.
Comparison Between Vicodin Vs Percocet
Based on the parameters, Vicodin and Percocet may differ from each other. Here are the differences between these two medications:
- Composition – Both are these medication drugs differ from each other. Vicodin is a combinable substance of Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen while Percocet has a composition of Oxycodone and Acetaminophen.
- Function – Both Vicodin and Percocet are used to treat physical pain in the patient’s body during operation and surgery etc.
- Percocet is a pain-alleviating medication. It starts working in 1 hour and its effect can last up to 6 hours long in the patient. Whether Vicodin medicine starts to work in 1 hour and its effect can last up to 4 hours.
- Dosages – Healthcare professionals usually recommend what foods to eat and avoid when prescribing Percocet and Vicodin medicines. This is to prevent health problems that can harm the patient. Healthcare experts may increase or decrease the doses of these two drugs after diagnosing the patients.
- Health Problems – When People take Vicodin and Percocet medication drugs it may cause Several health problems such as dizziness, loss of consciousness, increased sleepiness, difficulty in breathing, cold and clammy skin, low blood pressure, etc.
Vicodin dosage are available in Schedule II controlled substance drugs. It is available in the form of oral tablets. Its dosage strengths start from 5 mg to 300 mg. While Percocet dosage is available in the form of oral tablets it is an extended-release tablet. Its dosage strengths starts from 2.5 mg to 325 mg.
Side Effects of Vicodin and Percocet
While taking Percocet and Vicodin medication drug, it may cause some side effects as follows.
Vicodin Side Effects
Some common side effects of Vicodin are given below:
- Light-headedness
- Anxiety
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Drowsiness
- Constipation
- Blurred vision
- Mood swings
- Upset stomach
- Difficulty when urinating
- Dry mouth
- Ringing in your ears
- Fast heartbeat
- Nervousness
Percocet Side Effects
Some common side effects of Percocet which include:
- Mood swings
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Anxiety
- Ringing in your ears
- Blurred vision
- Nausea
- Drowsiness
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Upset stomach
- Difficulty when urinating
- Mild headache
Precautions To Take Before Using Percocet & Vicodin
Before taking any drug take a prescription from a doctor
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding then inform your consulted doctor.
- Consume an adequate amount of water while taking these drugs.
- Keep the medicine out of children’s reach.
- After taking the drug secure the rest of the medication in a safe place.
- Take medication as per your age and health condition.
- If you have other health complications, inform your doctor about it.