Author: Alex Thompson

Codeine vs Hydrocodone: Two Ways to Treat Pain

As a less potent opioid, codeine may work effectively and more safely for moderate pain and cough. Long-term use of codeine and hydrocodone can lead to dependence. You may experience temporary symptoms of withdrawal when you stop taking either medication, especially if you’ve used them for a long time.

Does hydrocodone interact with my other drugs?

A person caring for you can give the naloxone if you stop breathing or don’t wake up. Your caregiver must still get emergency medical help and may need to perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) on you while waiting for help to arrive. 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. Both hydrocodone and codeine are classified as opioid medications. In fact, they are structurally similar and both are known as phenanthrenes.

Medical Professionals

Skip any missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not stop using this medicine suddenly after long-term use, or you could have serious withdrawal symptoms. Hydrocodone may cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in a newborn if the mother has taken this medicine during pregnancy. These may be symptoms of a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. Your risk may be higher if you also take certain other medicines that affect serotonin levels in your body.

Codeine is typically used for mild to moderately severe pain. Hydrocodone is stronger, so it’s used for moderate to moderately severe pain. Depending on your needs, your doctor may prescribe either of these medications alone or in combination with something else.

Comparing Acetaminophen / Codeine vs Hydrocodone

Hydrocodone is also addictive, and the development of physical dependence isn’t uncommon with this drug. When someone takes larger doses of hydrocodone, they may feel euphoric sensations and then become very tired and relaxed. Codeine is often combined with other medications such as Tylenol to create combination formulations that more effectively relieve pain or cough. These are both prescription medications, so your doctor will decide which one would be best for you based on your symptoms and the cause of your pain. You can find a more detailed list of interactions for both drugs at the interactions for codeine and hydrocodone. Acetaminophen/hydrocodone is used in the treatment of pain; back pain; cough; rheumatoid arthritis and belongs to the drug class narcotic analgesic combinations.

Read this next

  1. Mild pain doesn’t always require treatment, but most people seek relief for moderate to severe or unremitting pain.
  2. Hydrocodone is stronger, so it’s used for moderate to moderately severe pain.
  3. Hydrocodone is also available in immediate-release oral tablets, but only when it is combined with acetaminophen.
  4. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.

Hydrocodone can cause serious unwanted effects or fatal overdose if taken by children, pets, or adults who are not used to strong opioid pain medicines. Make sure you store the medicine in a safe and secure place to prevent others from getting it. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. This is especially important for elderly patients, who may be more sensitive to the effects of pain medicines.

It is very important that your doctor check your progress while you are using this medicine, especially within the first 24 to 72 hours of treatment. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Health Products

Contact your doctor right away if you have any changes to your heart rhythm. You might feel dizzy or faint, or you might have a fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat. Make sure your doctor knows if you or anyone in your family has ever had a heart rhythm problem including QT prolongation.

However, severe withdrawal symptoms can usually be prevented by gradually reducing the dose over a period of time before treatment is stopped completely. 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. Doctors usually prescribe codeine for mild to moderate pain and hydrocodone for moderate to severe pain. Codeine and hydrocodone are opioid pain relief medications.