A side-by-side comparison of Vicodin vs. oxycodone shows that even though these medications both belong to the same class of opioids, they have different potencies and chemical compositions. Despite their differences, both are highly effective in relieving pain but have a high potential for abuse, dependence, and addiction.
Keep reading to learn more about the similarities and differences between Vicodin and oxycodone and better understand the risks of using opioids for pain management.
What Is Vicodin, and How Does It Work?
Vicodin is a combination pain medication prescribed for moderate-to-severe pain that cannot be controlled with non-opioid painkillers. Its active ingredients are:
- Hydrocodone, a semi-synthetic opioid
- Acetaminophen, an over-the-counter pain reliever also used to treat fever
Available in generic form (hydrocodone/acetaminophen) and sold under other brand names, such as Lortab® and Norco®, Vicodin is an oral tablet containing 300 mg or 325 mg of acetaminophen and 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, or 10 mg of hydrocodone. Generic formulations also come as oral solutions.
Vicodin works by attaching to the opioid receptors located throughout the central nervous system (CNS), thereby preventing pain signals from reaching the brain. It also causes a sudden release of dopamine, inducing feelings of euphoria and deep relaxation that enhance the drug’s potential for misuse. A popular street drug, Vicodin, is also known as Vike, Vic, and Watson-387.
What Is Oxycodone, and How Does It Work?
Oxycodone is a prescription opioid used to manage moderate-to-severe pain resistant to weaker pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or aspirin.
Marketed under OxyContin®, Roxicodone®, and other brands, oxycodone comes as an oral solution and immediate- or extended-release tablets and capsules. It is also available as a combination medication containing acetaminophen, with Percocet® being its most popular brand name. Oxy and Kicker are among the most common street names for oxycodone.
Although oxycodone is not the same as Vicodin, it works comparably by binding to opioid receptors and triggering a rush of dopamine. Therefore, like Vicodin, it has both pain-relieving and rewarding effects.
With this in mind, let’s get to the bottom of the question “What’s the difference between Vicodin and oxycodone?” with a comparison of these medications.
5 Major Differences Between Vicodin vs. Oxycodone
One of the differences between Vicodin vs. oxycodone is strength, as oxycodone is generally more potent than Vicodin. Compared to morphine, hydrocodone is about 1.5 times more potent, whereas oxycodone is up to two times more powerful.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of Vicodin vs. oxycodone differences:
Vicodin vs. Oxycodone Effectiveness
Despite the difference in Vicodin vs. oxycodone potencies, both medications are equally effective in terms of pain relief.
Researchers from St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center found that hydrocodone, the opioid ingredient in Vicodin, and oxycodone provide similar pain relief for patients with acute fractures.
Similarly, a study done by researchers from Montefiore Medical Center shows no significant difference in the effectiveness of oxycodone/acetaminophen and hydrocodone/acetaminophen. Both medications reduced acute musculoskeletal extremity pain scores by around 50%.
Vicodin vs. Oxycodone Chemical Composition
The chemical composition of Vicodin vs. oxycodone differs significantly. The main difference between these opioid pain relievers is that Vicodin has an opioid (hydrocodone) and a non-opioid (acetaminophen) ingredient. Meanwhile, oxycodone is a single-entity drug, but it is also found in combination products.
Furthermore, hydrocodone and oxycodone are both semi-synthetic opioids derived from thebaine, an alkaloid found in the opium poppy plant. However, hydrocodone can also be derived from codeine.
Vicodin vs. Oxycodone Addictiveness
In terms of potential for addiction, Vicodin vs. oxycodone are virtually the same. Both drugs have a high potential for misuse, dependence, and addiction. Therefore, they are treated as Schedule II controlled substances.
In the past, hydrocodone combination products were thought to have a lower potential for abuse and addiction than oxycodone. They were only moved from Schedule III to Schedule II in 2014.
Drug misuse statistics reveal that hydrocodone and oxycodone products are the most commonly misused types of prescription pain relievers in the United States. In 2023, 42.8% of Americans misusing prescription painkillers abused hydrocodone products, and another 31.3% misused oxycodone products.
Vicodin vs. Oxycodone Cost
Brand-name Vicodin® is more expensive than generic oxycodone. However, generic formulations of both drugs don’t differ much in price, and your insurance may cover them. The cost of Vicodin and oxycodone primarily depends on the strength of your prescription, drug formulation, and similar factors.
For example, a generic 300 mg/5 mg acetaminophen/hydrocodone tablet costs around $0.53–$0.61, but you may have to pay around $1.42 for Vicodin® of the same composition.
Meanwhile, a 5 mg generic oxycodone tablet costs $0.19–0.64. 5 mg of Oxaydo®, on the other hand, can cost upwards of $11 per tablet.
Vicodin vs. Oxycodone Overdose
Vicodin and oxycodone have a similar overdose potential. Both drugs can cause respiratory depression and opioid overdose, especially if abused (i.e., taken in other ways than prescribed, such as in higher doses or mixed with other substances).
In 2023 alone, natural and semi-synthetic opioids like Vicodin and oxycodone have claimed the lives of more than 10,000 Americans. For this reason, it is vitally important to take opioid analgesics exactly as prescribed.
Now that you know what is stronger—Vicodin or oxycodone—and how these medications compare in terms of effectiveness, cost, and more, let’s discuss their side effects.
Vicodin vs. Oxycodone Side Effects
The side effects of Vicodin and oxycodone are similar to those of other opioids and commonly include:
- Itching
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
- Constipation
- Stomach ache
The St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center study mentioned above found that hydrocodone and oxycodone have similar side effect profiles, but constipation is more common with hydrocodone.
Inform your doctor about any unwanted effects you experience after taking either of these drugs, including the ones not listed above.
Prolonged use of Vicodin or oxycodone may lead to:
- Tolerance and physical dependence
- Vicodin or oxycodone addiction
- Weakened immune system
- Hormonal issues
- Reduced fertility
- Organ damage
- Overdose
- Coma
- Death
Opioid abuse, including mixing these drugs with other substances, significantly increases the risk of adverse effects, including oxycodone and Vicodin addiction.
On this note, let’s compare Vicodin vs. oxycodone drug interactions.
Drug Interactions of Vicodin and Oxycodone
Some common Vicodin and oxycodone drug interactions include:
- Alcohol
- Barbiturates
- Other opioids
- Antipsychotics
- Antihistamines
- Muscle relaxers
- Antidepressants
- Benzodiazepines
Inform your doctor about any drugs you’re taking before initiating opioid therapy. Mixing Vicodin or oxycodone with other substances without your doctor’s approval amplifies the risk of overdose, organ damage, and other potentially life-threatening adverse effects.
Other Risk Factors of Vicodin and Oxycodone
Other risk factors that may increase the likelihood of Vicodin and oxycodone adverse effects include:
- Liver disease
- Lung disease
- Brain disorders
- Kidney problems
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Cardiovascular disease
- Allergy to opioids or acetaminophen
- Substance use disorders, including alcohol use disorder
Discuss your medical history with your healthcare provider before using Vicodin or oxycodone.
Importantly, prenatal opioid use can lead to stillbirth, premature labor, neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), and other complications. If you are pregnant or planning to have a baby, consult your doctor.
Physical Dependence and Addiction to Opioids
Anyone taking Vicodin or oxycodone risks developing physical dependence and addiction to opioids. Since opioid medications gradually alter brain chemistry, even those who carefully follow the doctor’s instructions can fall victim to these conditions.
Opioid dependence refers to a physical reliance on drugs. In other words, in people who take opioids for a prolonged time, their bodies will eventually become so accustomed to them that they won’t be able to function normally without them.
Getting professional treatment for opioid dependence is critical to your well-being. If left untreated, it can evolve into an addiction, which is predominantly psychological.
Those addicted to opioids like Vicodin and oxycodone cannot quit these drugs, even when opioid use ruins their health, career, relationships with family and friends, and so forth.
Signs and Symptoms of Opioid Dependence
There are two main signs and symptoms of opioid dependence:
- Opioid tolerance. If you take opioids for a prolonged time, your brain will stop producing endorphins and instead will create more opioid receptors, leading to tolerance. Tolerance reduces drug effectiveness, which is why opioid-dependent people need to take increasingly larger doses to achieve the same effects as before.
- Opioid withdrawal symptoms. People who stop taking opioids after becoming dependent experience uncomfortable physical and psychological effects. These may include flu-like symptoms, vomiting, depression, and cravings, among others. Opioid withdrawal can be downright unbearable, increasing the risk of relapse and subsequent overdose. For this reason, it is paramount to seek professional help for opioid dependence.
Achieve Lasting Recovery from Opioid Dependence With ANR Treatment
Accelerated Neuro-Regulation (ANR) is a revolutionary treatment developed by Dr. Andre Waismann that has helped close to 25,000 people worldwide in making a long-lasting recovery from opioid dependence.
ANR treatment re-balances the endorphin-receptor system, thereby addressing the neurochemical causes of opioid dependence. Since the procedure is carried out while the patient is sedated, you can rest assured you won’t experience the discomfort of actively going through opioid withdrawals.
The treatment plan is tailored to each patient’s unique medical history and needs, making it suitable for virtually everyone—even those with co-occurring health conditions.
Benefits of Undergoing ANR Treatment
Some of the greatest benefits of undergoing ANR treatment include:
- Lasting results. ANR is the only opioid dependence treatment that treats the root of the problem instead of its symptoms through the modulation of the endorphin-receptor system. By reversing opioid-induced damage to the nervous system, this groundbreaking treatment eliminates cravings and other withdrawal symptoms. As such, it negates the risk of relapse, facilitating long-term recovery.
- Short treatment duration. While other treatments take weeks or even years and still don’t guarantee lifelong recovery, ANR can help you overcome opioid dependence within a matter of days. The procedure takes around 4–6 hours, whereas the hospital stay for ANR patients lasts only 36 hours on average.
- Highest safety standards. ANR prioritizes patient safety above all else. Therefore, it is performed in an ICU setting of accredited hospitals by a team of highly trained and experienced healthcare professionals, including board-certified anesthesiologists.
To learn more about ANR, contact us today for a free, 100% confidential consultation!
Key Takeaways
Let’s reiterate the key points we covered today:
- Vicodin and oxycodone are opioid medications that can be prescribed to treat moderate-to-severe pain when non-opioid painkillers aren’t effective enough.
- Even though oxycodone is more potent than Vicodin, both drugs have comparable analgesic effects.
- Vicodin and oxycodone share a similar side effect profile. However, Vicodin is more likely to cause constipation and liver damage, especially if abused.
- ANR is an ultra-modern treatment for opioid dependence that can help you return to an opioid-free life within days by re-regulating your endorphin system.
Vicodin vs. Oxycodone FAQ
Yes, oxycodone can make you sleepy. Drowsiness and fatigue are common side effects of oxycodone. For this reason, you should avoid driving or operating heavy machinery while taking this drug.
Vicodin is not stronger than oxycodone. Oxycodone is slightly more potent than Vicodin, but both of these drugs are highly effective in relieving pain. However, they also have a high potential for abuse, dependence, and addiction.
Oxycodone is stronger than hydrocodone. A study by researchers from the University of Chicago found that oxycodone products are about 1.5 times more potent than hydrocodone products.
Many drugs are stronger than Vicodin, including oxycodone and hydromorphone (Dilaudid®). Fentanyl is among the most potent prescription pain relievers; it can be as many as 100 times more powerful than morphine.
ANR treatment can help you with Vicodin or oxycodone dependence by restoring your brain to its pre-dependence state. Since this treatment treats the root of opioid dependence, it eliminates withdrawal symptoms and the risk of relapse.
