Nowadays, the majority of US people may depend on various medicines to get rid of Pain. Medications like Vicodin and Oxycodone to treat short-term pain caused due to an injury or surgery. They are effectively using treatment programs such as massage, therapies to reduce pain in their body.
Both these drugs are used to relieve severe and acute pain in a person’s body. However, they differ in their overview, use, dosage strength, efficacy and side effects, etc.
Comparison: Vicodin vs Oxycodone Drugs
Let us compare both drugs based on a few factors.
1) Overview:
Vicodin
Vicodin is a combination of other two drugs, namely, acetaminophen and hydrocodone. Hydrocodone is an opioid pain reliever drug.
Acetaminophen is less powerful than hydrocodone. It increases the effects over time. Vicodin oral tablets provide relief to severe pain in patients.
Oxycodone
Oxycodone is a generic medication that is sold under brand names such as Roxicodone and OxyContin drugs. It is a semisynthetic opioid that is medically used to treat moderate to severe pain in patients.
This drug belongs to the opioid analgesics family. It is an opioid pain medication that is used to relieve severe and acute pain in patients. It is helpful in relieving moderate to severe pain which is also approved by the Food and Drug Administration(FDA).
2) Use: Vicodin vs Oxycodone
Vicodin
The main use of Vicodin tablets is to get relief from moderate to severe pain. It contains hydrocodone as an opioid pain reliever and a non-opioid pain reliever (acetaminophen).
Acetaminophen may reduce fever in patients. It can be termed as a less potent pain reliever. It increases the effects of hydrocodone.
Oxycodone
It is an analgesic opioid medication that is used to relax from pain. It is much more strong than hydrocodone.
There are some branded versions of an opioid-based drug such as Oxyfast, Oxaydo, RoxyBand, Roxicodone etc. that are administered by doctors or health care professionals.
3) Dose & Dosage Strength:
Vicodin
Vicodin is available in oral tablet form. Some common strengths of this drug are as follows:
Oxycodone
Oxycodone is available in tablets, capsules, and oral solutions form. Some other common strengths of this medication are as follows:
- Oxycodone 5 mg
- Oxycodone 10 mg
- Oxycodone 15 mg
- Oxycodone 20 mg
- Oxycodone 30 mg
- Oxycodone 40 mg
- Oxycodone 60 mg
4) Efficacy:
Vicodin
For treating acute or severe pain in those patients who are taking this medication after the injury or surgery, then Vicodin drug is so effective in providing immediate relief to them. The efficacy of this drug may vary and is depending on a person’s pain condition, tolerance power and other psychological factors.
In managing chronic pain, the effectiveness of Vicodin drugs may reduce over time. Because of both tolerance and potential power, and are dependent on other factors.
Thus, Vicodin is very effective in relieving short-term pain.
Oxycodone
The effectiveness of this medicine may differ in patients and are dependent on some factors like an individual’s pain condition, dosage strength, tolerance power and how it is administered to them.
This drug can be highly effective for relieving pain in people. it can carry several risks if a person takes it on its own. So, people when taking them, they must be aware of their potential side effects and interactions with other drugs.
In addition, the efficacy of pain relief medicine can also be affected by other factors. The factors may include genetics, metabolism, and the presence of coexisting medical conditions.
Thus, Oxycodone can be considered as most effective for managing other types of pain. When it is used properly with other medications.
5) Side Effects:
Vicodin
The common side effects that may occur when taking overdose of Vicodin drug in individuals. These are as follows:
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Lightheadedness
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Dark Urine
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Headache
- Cough
- Itching
- Mood changes
There are some serious side effects that can also occur in individuals when addicted to this drug. These are as follows:
- Fainting
- Seizures
- Insomnia
- Slow heart rate
- Loss of consciousness
- Shallow breathing
- Weight loss
- Loss of Appetite
- Unusual tiredness
- Respiratory depression
- Hyperpigmentation (darkening of skin)
- Bleeding gums
- Anaphylaxis)
- Hepatotoxicity
Oxycodone
There are some common and serious side effects that may occur in patients. These are as follows:
- Dry mouth
- Flushing
- Headache
- Severe drowsiness
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Mood swings
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation
- Itching
- Diarrhea
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Somnolence (excess sleepiness)
- Chills and fever
Some Safety Measures as Precautions to be Taken When Taking Vicodin or Oxycodone Drugs:
While taking these drugs, a person must follow some safety measures to avoid any serious health complications.
- These safety measures as precautionary methods, which are as follows:
- Don’t take these drugs in larger quantities.
- If skin allergy occurs after taking them, then avoid to take these medicines.
- if an individual has use Mao inhibitor in the last 14 days, then do not take Vicodin or Oxycodone.
- Never crush, break or chew the oral tablets or capsules.
- Must swallow these drugs wholly with normal water.
- Never drink alcohol durinh the treatment.
- If a patient is experiencing any potential side effects, consult with the doctor as soon as possible.
- Do not leave these oral tablets or capsules in a cold and warm environment.
- Take the doses of these drugs as per age and doctor’s prescription.
- A person should take proper rest after consuming these medications.
- Do not increase or decrease the dosage strength of these drugs by itself until and unless recommended by a doctor.
- A person should take specifically the dosage strength of this drug as prescribed by doctors or pharmacists.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, we have seen the Vicodin vs Oxycodone comparison. Both are powerful opioid pain relief medicines. A person may face both advantages and disadvantages from these drugs. They must consult with the doctor if they face any harmful changes in their health after taking these drugs. Hope, this article may give you a proper information.
