Percocet and hydrocodone are opioid medications that mainly differ in terms of composition and formulation: Percocet is an immediate-release combination drug, whereas hydrocodone products come in an extended- or immediate-release formulation. Despite the differences in the chemical structure of Percocet and hydrocodone, these drugs share a major similarity: they are both highly addictive.
Keep reading to learn about the key differences and similarities between Percocet and hydrocodone and the risks associated with their use.
What Is Percocet, and How Does It Work?
Percocet is an opioid medication prescribed to treat moderate-to-severe pain, usually when non-opioid pain relievers are ineffective or cannot be used.
As a combination drug, Percocet contains two active ingredients: oxycodone, a semi-synthetic opioid derived from an opium alkaloid thebaine, and acetaminophen, an over-the-counter medication used to relieve pain and reduce fever.
Percocet is also sold under Roxicet®, Endocet®, and other brand names, as well as in its generic form. It also has several street names—Percs, Kickers, and Blue Dynamite, to name a few.
While generic oxycodone/acetaminophen is available in oral solution and tablet forms, brand-name Percocet comes as a tablet containing 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, or 10 mg of oxycodone and 300 or 325 mg of acetaminophen.
Percocet works by attaching to the opioid receptors in the central nervous system (CNS), thereby disrupting the transmission of pain signals, which alters the perception of pain.
As effective as it is in relieving pain, the opioid ingredient in Percocet—oxycodone—has a high potential for abuse, opioid dependence, and addiction. More than 13 million Americans abuse oxycodone every year, leading to half a million emergency room visits yearly.
Given how dangerous they can be, all oxycodone products, including Percocet, are treated as Schedule II controlled substances and should only be taken as prescribed.
What Is Hydrocodone, and How Does It Work?
Hydrocodone is a prescription opioid used to control moderate-to-severe pain that cannot be managed with weaker painkillers. It is also sometimes prescribed to reduce cough.
Hydrocodone, a semi-synthetic opioid, is synthesized from thebaine or codeine. It works in the same way as Percocet—by binding to opioid receptors and stopping pain signals from reaching the brain.
As a single-entity drug, hydrocodone is only available in the extended-release formulation, with Zohydro® ER and Hysingla® ER being some of its most common brand names. However, it is more often prescribed as an immediate-release combination drug containing acetaminophen (Vicodin®, Lortab®, Norco®) or ibuprofen (Vicoprofen®, Ibudone®).
Hydrocodone/acetaminophen comes as tablets or capsules. The dosage of Percocet vs. hydrocodone products tends to be similar, as these also usually contain 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, or 10 mg of hydrocodone and 300 or 325 mg of acetaminophen.
In 2021, nearly 26.6 million hydrocodone/acetaminophen prescriptions were issued to more than 8.6 million Americans, making this combination drug the most commonly prescribed opioid.
Hydrocodone was also the most commonly abused prescription painkiller in the United States that year. A staggering 46.9% of all prescription painkiller misusers—or 4 million people—misused hydrocodone in 2021.
Like Percocet, hydrocodone is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance and should be taken strictly as prescribed to reduce the risk of opioid abuse, dependence, and addiction.
Now that you know more about these potent opioids, let’s discuss the key Percocet vs. hydrocodone differences.
Percocet vs. Hydrocodone: 4 Key Differences
The main difference between Percocet and hydrocodone is that Percocet is a short-acting combination drug, whereas hydrocodone is a long-acting single-entity or a short-acting combination drug.
Here’s an in-depth comparison of Percocet vs. hydrocodone:
Percocet vs. Hydrocodone Effectiveness
When it comes to Percocet vs. hydrocodone strength and effectiveness, there’s not much difference between the two medications. Both drugs are highly effective in relieving moderate-to-severe acute pain.
Researchers from St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center found no difference in pain between patients who received oxycodone and those who were treated with hydrocodone.
Similarly, a study by David Slawson from the University of Virginia Health System found no significant difference between the effectiveness of oxycodone and hydrocodone products containing acetaminophen.
However, depending on the formulation, Percocet and hydrocodone may demonstrate different durations of action. While both immediate-release hydrocodone products and Percocet relieve pain for up to six hours, the effects of extended-release hydrocodone last for at least 12 hours.
Extended-release oxycodone formulations, such as OxyContin®, may be more effective for patients who require around-the-clock pain relief.
Nonetheless, neither hydrocodone nor oxycodone products are recommended for long-term pain treatment due to the increased risk of opioid dependence and addiction.
Percocet vs. Hydrocodone Chemical Composition
The most significant difference between the chemical compositions of Percocet and hydrocodone is that the former contains a non-opioid ingredient—acetaminophen.
Other than that, they have relatively similar chemical structures, as both hydrocodone and oxycodone are semi-synthetic full opioid agonists resembling morphine. Although these opioids are both phenanthrene derivatives, hydrocodone lacks one oxygen atom.
Percocet vs. Hydrocodone Addictiveness
Percocet and hydrocodone are very similar in terms of addictiveness. Their high potential for abuse and opioid addiction placed them under Schedule II controlled substances. Anyone taking them for a prolonged time, including those who carefully follow their doctor’s instructions, risks developing opioid use disorder (OUD).
Researchers from the University of Kentucky found that hydrocodone and oxycodone have a very similar potency and abuse liability profile. Since opioid abuse often precedes or co-occurs with OUD, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that both substances are equally addictive.
Percocet vs. Hydrocodone Cost
Compared to hydrocodone, Percocet tends to be more expensive, as brand-name drugs typically cost more than generic ones. However, generic acetaminophen/oxycodone is much cheaper than generic hydrocodone. That said, pain medication prices depend on the prescription strength, insurance coverage, and multiple other factors.
Generic Percocet (325 mg/5 mg) costs around $0.34 per tablet, whereas the cost of a brand-name tablet can go up to $28 and even more. Meanwhile, a tablet of 20 mg of hydrocodone costs around $9, while a 20 mg Hysingla® ER tablet may cost you around $13.
Besides being cheaper, generic drugs are covered by insurance.
Next, let’s compare Percocet vs. hydrocodone side effects.
Percocet vs. Hydrocodone Side Effects
Percocet and hydrocodone may cause the following side effects, most of which are typical of all opioids:
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sedation
- Itchy skin
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Blurry vision
- Abdominal pain
Moreover, these opioids may cause constipation, though it is more commonly seen in hydrocodone users. Stomach ache is another side effect that more often occurs due to hydrocodone use; meanwhile, oxycodone products like Percocet are more commonly associated with fatigue, drowsiness, and dizziness.
Prolonged Percocet or hydrocodone use and abuse can also increase the likelihood of:
- Tolerance
- Opioid dependence
- Opioid addiction
- Respiratory depression
- Trouble urinating
- Fertility problems
- Opioid overdose
- Death
Due to containing acetaminophen, Percocet can also cause liver damage, especially if taken for an extended time or mixed with alcohol, acetaminophen, or other drugs that affect the liver.
On that note, let’s look into Percocet vs. hydrocodone drug interactions.
Percocet and Hydrocodone Drug Interactions
Some common Percocet and hydrocodone drug interactions include:
- Alcohol
- Opioids
- Antibiotics
- Antidepressants
- Antipsychotics
- Antihistamines
- Muscle relaxers
- Benzodiazepines
- Anxiety medications
- Seizure medications
- Antifungal medications
Mixing either Percocet or hydrocodone with any other drugs without the doctor’s approval constitutes opioid abuse and may lead to severe withdrawal symptoms, overdose, and even death. If you take any medications, herbal supplements, etc., inform your doctor to ensure they don’t interact with opioids.
Furthermore, do not mix Percocet with drugs containing acetaminophen. Besides liver injury, it can also cause acetaminophen toxicity.
Other Risk Factors of Percocet and Hydrocodone
Here are some factors that may increase the risk of adverse effects associated with Percocet and hydrocodone:
- Constipation
- Liver disease
- Opioid allergy
- Brain disorders
- Kidney disease
- Urinary problems
- Respiratory disease
- Gallbladder disease
- Acetaminophen allergy
- Alcohol use disorder (AUD)
Moreover, opioid use during pregnancy poses many risks to the mother and the baby, including:
- Stillbirth
- Miscarriage
- Congenital disabilities
- Maternal death
- Impaired fetal growth
- Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS)
If you’re struggling with Percocet or hydrocodone addiction and are thinking of having a baby, talk to your doctor to determine the best course of action.
Physical Dependence and Addiction to Opioids
Physical dependence and addiction to opioids are two of the greatest risks anyone taking Percocet or hydrocodone faces. While the terms opioid dependence and opioid addiction are often used interchangeably, these conditions are distinct but may co-occur.
Opioid dependence refers to the physical dependence on opioids. It stems from the chemical imbalance induced by repeated opioid exposure. Since opioids alter the brain, you can develop hydrocodone or Percocet dependence even if you take these medications as prescribed.
If left untreated, physical dependence can turn into an opioid addiction, which is predominantly psychological. Those addicted lose control over impulses and cannot stop taking opioids, even if it brings them harm. For this reason, it is imperative to seek professional help as soon as you notice the signs of opioid dependence.
Signs and Symptoms of Opioid Dependence
Opioid dependence is characterized by two signs:
- Tolerance. Repeated exposure to opioids hinders the production of endorphins and causes the brain to produce more opioid receptors, leading to tolerance. Once you develop tolerance, your body will need larger amounts of the drug to achieve the same effects as before. If this happens, consult with your doctor; do not increase the dosage without their knowledge, as this can have fatal consequences.
- Opioid withdrawal symptoms. Besides tolerance, opioid-dependent people struggle with uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms after quitting their medication or reducing their dosage. Those dependent on opioids rely on them to function and feel normal; sadly, the fear of opioid withdrawal often causes people to keep using drugs, even when they no longer need them.
If this sounds familiar, worry not—it’s never too late to seek help and overcome opioid dependence.
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Key Takeaways
When evaluating Percocet vs. hydrocodone for pain management, keep in mind that these drugs may be prescribed in different cases, mainly because of their differing formulations.
For example, hydrocodone is more commonly prescribed for patients suffering from cancer-related pain, as they often require continuous pain relief.
If you have to take either of these drugs, keep the treatment duration to a minimum to reduce the risk of opioid dependence and addiction.
Let’s sum up what we’ve covered today:
- Percocet and hydrocodone are opioid drugs that can effectively relieve moderate-to-severe pain but have a high potential for abuse and addiction.
- While hydrocodone causes gastrointestinal issues more often than Percocet, the latter is more likely to cause liver injury, lightheadedness, fatigue, and drowsiness.
- ANR is the most effective treatment for Percocet and hydrocodone dependence, as it targets the root of opioid dependence by rebalancing the endorphin-receptor system.
Percocet vs. Hydrocodone FAQ
You should never take Percocet with hydrocodone. Mixing opioids significantly increases the risk of severe side effects, respiratory depression, opioid overdose, and other potentially life-threatening events.
Percocet isn’t stronger than hydrocodone—both oxycodone (the opioid ingredient in Percocet) and hydrocodone are very similar in terms of potency and effectiveness. However, while immediate-release hydrocodone and Percocet relieve pain for 4–6 hours, extended-release hydrocodone works for 12 hours and longer.
Both Percocet and hydrocodone are highly addictive; studies show there’s little difference between them in terms of abuse liability and addictiveness. Since prolonged opioid use enhances the risk of addiction, they are generally not recommended for long-term pain treatment.
Hydrocodone is not the same as Vicodin. The main difference between hydrocodone and Vicodin is that the latter is a combination drug; besides hydrocodone, Vicodin also contains acetaminophen.
Additional Information:
How Long Does Hydrocodone Stay in Your System?
