Hydrocodone vs Diclofenac: An Overview of Pain Relief Medications

Also pain is viewed negatively, it is not possible to get rid of it totally but those people who manage chronic pain effectively lead a happy life. Nowadays, doctors often prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to get rid of discomfort and inflammation. Both the drugs hydrocodone and diclofenac decrease inflammation and block the enzymes that cause pain and swelling. They differ in their formulations, class of family, clinical applications, and potency levels.

Here in this blog post, we will compare hydrocodone and diclofenac in detail, including their working mechanism, medicinal uses, dosages, adverse effects, and precautions. Knowing how these two pain relieving drugs can help you make a better and wise decision in either case of a patient trying to be familiar with the prescription or a caregiver looking for treatment options.

Hydrocodone and Diclofenac: A Detailed Comparison of Painkillers

These are both pain relieving drugs that treat pain, but some important differences in their mechanism, uses, and overall effects make them differ from one another. In this section, we will discuss the differences between both drugs on the basis of:

Definitions: What Are Hydrocodone and Diclofenac Used For?

Hydrocodone – It is a member of opioid analgesics and is a derivative of codeine. This is a strong painkiller and the medicine’s prospectiveness of dependency and addiction restricts its uses. By combining it with other palliative drugs like acetaminophen or ibuprofen doctors enhance it to make it more potent.

Diclofenac – It is a medicine approved by the FDA and used in acute and chronic pain management, such as arthritis etc. Voltaren is the brand version of this medicine that is an NSAID and provides relief from inflammation and high temperature. This medicine blocks the generation of prostaglandins, which are chemicals involved in pain and inflammation.

Available in a number of forms that include:

• Ophthalmic solutions
• Topical gels and
• Oral tablets.

How Do These Pain Relief Drugs Work?

Hydrocodone – Hydrocodone changes the brain and nervous system’s perception to pain. It holds together and activates the mu-opioid receptor in the CNS. This changes the pain effect by obstructing the pain messages from the brain to different parts of the body.

Diclofenac – This medicine is a cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, mainly COX-2 enzymes that are known to synthesize prostaglandins, compounds that promote inflammation, pain, and fever. By diminishing prostaglandin production, diclofenac effectively cuts down inflammation and associated pain.

When to Use Hydrocodone and Diclofenac?

Hydrocodone – A powerful painkiller that is used for:

• Acute pain following surgery or injury
• Chronic pain conditions, such as prolonged back ache, and cancer pain
• Cough suppression in combination formulations

Diclofenac – It treats:

• Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
• Acute musculoskeletal pain
• Headache,
• Sprains and strains
• A discomfort menstruation
• Gout attacks
• Postoperative pain
• Acute migraine attacks

Dosages: How Are These Pain Medications Taken?

Hydrocodone – A few dosages of this drug are mentioned below:

• Oral forms of ER capsules in strengths of: 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, and 50 mg.
• ER tablets in strengths of: 20, 30, 40, 60, 80, 100, and 120 mg.

You may increase the ER dosages of hydrocodone by 10 mg on each dose. You can take this dose every 12 hour or every 3 to 7 days.

Diclofenac – The drug comes in many dosage forms, which include:

• Oral tablets
• Capsules
• Eye drops
• Injectable solutions

The usual dosage strengths of this medication include 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg and so on.

Side Effects of Hydrocodone and Diclofenac

These two painkillers also have potential effects like all medicines. Some of them are provided here.

Hydrocodone

Some adverse effects of the drug include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Constipation
• Drowsiness and dizziness
• Withdrawal symptoms
• Headache
• Mood changes
• Problems with bowel movement
• Sore throat
• Tightness in the chest
• tingling of the hands or feet
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Unaccountable weight gain or loss
• Potential for misuse and addiction

Diclofenac

More prominent indications include:

• Upset stomach
• Belching
• Gums that bleed
• Blood in the urine or stools
• Bloody or black, tarry stools
• A sensation of burning while urinating
• Pain in the chest
• Cough
• Clay-colored stools
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Dark urine
• Dizziness
• Indigestion
• High temperature
• Headache
• Frequent urge to urinate
• Heartburn

Precautions

A list of some safety measures that will aid you in managing the potential effects of the above medicines is as below:

• The risk of opioid addiction, abuse, and misuse is high with hydrocodone. Overdose and death are likely to occur in rare cases.
• Individuals who are sensitive to NSAIDs should keep away from diclofenac.
• Individuals with heart conditions should take the advice of a doctor before using these drugs.
• Individuals with a history of ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding should exercise caution.
• Do not take these medicines without any prescription, if you have other severe medical illnesses or if you have a history of substance use disorder.
• Pregnant ladies, especially during the trimester, labor and delivery should avoid these medicines as it can adversely harm the newborn.
• If you are taking the above two medicines in excess amounts, then it can cause serious side effects.
• Taking alcohol with these drugs increases the risk for life-threatening diseases.
• People who smoke or drink alcohol frequently and who are over 60 years of age in poor health conditions or use certain medicines like steroid medicine, blood thinner may experience bleeding in their stomach.

Which Is More Effective: Hydrocodone and Diclofenac?

Nature of the pain is the deciding factor for the 2 drugs that decides which is more effective. Below are some features that highlight the efficacy of each medicine.

• Hydrocodone is an opioid drug preferable for 24/7 pain. Situations for acute pain and a requirement for rapid relief such as after surgery or injury mandate the need for this drug.
• Diclofenac is more suitable for persistent inflammatory conditions that offer long-term pain relief with a lower risk of dependence.

Conclusion

Your specific medical condition, length of treatment and type of pain is what decides the intake of the above two drugs. Hydrocodone extended-release capsules or extended-release tablets should be used only by opioid-tolerant patients.

With the topical use of diclofenac it provides flexibility and low risk for lasting inflammation that include arthritis. It’s easy to get comfort and control over your pain with the help of these two medications if you take them as prescribed.