Author: John Carter

Opioid Potency Comparison: Get the Chart

Seeking help for addiction may feel daunting or even scary, but several organizations can provide support. This means it does not contain natural opium — instead, manufacturers produce its components in a laboratory. To view a report comparing 3 (or more) medications, please sign in or create an account.

Our physician-led, evidence-based rehab programs include medical detox, inpatient and outpatient rehab and a full continuum of care in between. Our compassionate team will help you start life fresh with the tools, coping strategies and resources you need to succeed. Don’t wait — contact a Recovery Advocate today to see how we can help. Hydrocodone is often used when pain is not adequately managed by non-opioid alternatives or less potent opioids.

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The route chosen depends on the opioid medicine used, the patient’s condition, the length of treatment and the level of pain. Both also come in extended-release (ER) capsules and tablets. They slowly release the drug into your body so it lasts longer. ER versions are not meant to treat short-term pain, like the kind you have after surgery. Opioids are some of the most commonly abused prescription drugs. Talk with your doctor about how to safely take them to lower your risk for addiction and abuse.

1. Codeine and hydrocodone are opioid pain relief medications.
2. It is also available in combination with acetaminophen or NSAIDs.
3. You only need to take the extended-release versions once or twice a day.
4. As part of a similar drug class, they share key characteristics.

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Codeine is an opioid pain reliever, similar to morphine, indicated for the relief of mild to moderately severe pain where the use of an opioid analgesic is appropriate. The precise mechanism of the pain relieving action of codeine is unknown, but it binds to receptors in the brain and can increase tolerance to pain, which decreases discomfort. Codeine and hydrocodone are opioid pain relief medications that doctors prescribe to treat pain in certain situations. Hydrocodone is stronger than codeine and comes with an increased potential for addiction. Both drugs are classified as controlled substances due to their potential for misuse and addiction. Codeine is an opioid pain reliever and cough suppressant.

If eligible, we will create a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. If The Recovery Village is not the right fit for you or your loved one, we will help refer you to a facility that is. Drugs that block the action of acetylcholine (anticholinergic drugs) increase the occurrence of urinary retention and constipation when combined with codeine or Vicodin. Alcohol and other sedatives such as alprazolam (Xanax) can produce further brain impairment and even confusion when combined with codeine or Vicodin.

Side Effects of Codeine vs Hydrocodone

Therefore, alcohol and other sedatives should not be used when taking either drug. Our science-backed approach boasts 95% of patients reporting no withdrawal symptoms at 7 days. We can help you achieve easier days and a happier future. While codeine comes from poppy sap and hydrocodone is partially synthetic, they work in the same way.

What Is Opioid Potency Comparison Chart?

You may experience temporary symptoms of withdrawal when you stop taking either medication, especially if you’ve used them for a long time. Tell your doctor right away if you have withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking either of these drugs. The Drug Enforcement Administration classifies codeine and hydrocodone in their pure forms as Schedule II drugs. This means they have a high potential for misuse and can lead to severe physical or psychological dependence.

Those that release the dosage over 24 hours might provide 20, 30, 40, 60, 80, 100, or 120 mg of hydrocodone. You might take these painkillers for a short period of time after surgery or an injury like a broken bone. Or you might take them longer term to manage chronic pain from illnesses like cancer or arthritis. They’re very similar, but there are some differences in side effects. If you or a loved one struggles with drug or alcohol addiction, Orlando Recovery Center is here to help.

Codeine vs. Hydrocodone: Two Ways to Treat Pain

Doctors prescribe different opioids in different circumstances. You can take either drug on its own or with another pain reliever like acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen. As a prescription medication, hydrocodone is legally available to patients with a valid prescription, ensuring its use is monitored and controlled. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) plays a significant role in regulating the production and distribution of hydrocodone by setting aggregate production quotas (APQs) annually. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Acetaminophen can cause severe liver failure if excessive amounts are used and when combined with chronic alcohol use or other drugs that also impair liver function.

Medical uses of codeine span various treatments, including managing mild to moderate pain, particularly post-surgical dental pain and alleviating coughs. While there is weak evidence supporting its use in cancer pain management, it is commonly prescribed for its analgesic effects. Vicodin contains a combination of a non-narcotic pain reliever (acetaminophen) and an opioid analgesic (hydrocodone). Vicodin is used for the relief of moderate to moderately severe pain. In reality, both codeine and hydrocodone are dangerous drugs, and repeated misuse of these drugs is capable of causing physical dependence, withdrawal symptoms, opioid use disorder and overdose. When comparing codeine and hydrocodone directly, it’s crucial to consider the variability in individual responses to these drugs, such as their response to opioid therapy and their risk for addiction.

Doctors prescribe codeine for mild to moderate acute and chronic pain, often during cancer treatment or as part of supportive care for people with serious health conditions. Dosages vary, but many forms of hydrocodone are slow-releasing to prevent addiction, and doctors often prescribe either drug in combination with other drugs, depending on the condition. Codeine and hydrocodone are highly effective pain relief medications, but they come with severe risks. Codeine and hydrocodone are opioid receptor agonist medications. They are some of the most effective pain relief drugs currently available. This changing perception underscores the need for balanced policies that address both the medical needs of patients and the potential for misuse and addiction.

Vicodin is a different type of opioid pain reliever and cough suppressant combined with the non-opioid pain reliever acetaminophen. These drugs are prescribed for conditions that cause acute pain and for some kinds of severe coughs. Both can be addictive and neither should be taken with alcohol. Read more about drug interactions, dosage and side effects of codeine vs. Vicodin. Codeine and hydrocodone are opioid pain relief medications. As part of a similar drug class, they share key characteristics.