Pain relief medications are becoming common these days. People from all around the world suffer from different types of physical pain. Some may meet with a car accident, while others could feel pain after surgery. There are pharmaceutical drugs that are useful in treating such pain. These are known as pain relief medications. In order to treat patients with moderate to severe pain, the two most common medicines used are Vicodin and Percocet. And today we will be discussing all about Vicodin vs Percocet.
What are Percocet and Vicodin? How do they differ from each other? Let us learn with the help of this article.
What are Vicodin and Percocet?
Vicodin:
Vicodin is a pain relief medicine that helps patients with mild to severe pain. It works by regulating the central nervous system. This medication drug was discontinued in December 2021 by the FDA (Food & Drug Administration), however, it is available as a generic medicine. There are various pain-alleviating branded medicines that use Vicodin as an essential component.
Acetaminophen and Hydrocodone are the main ingredients that are used in manufacturing the Vicodin drug. However, they have conflicting properties. Since Acetaminophen is a pain reliever that helps raise the Hydrocodone effect, it is less powerful. Hydrocodone is an opioid (narcotic) pain-relieving medication.
Vicodin is available in the form of tablets. One should take these tablets as prescribed by qualified physicians/doctors or healthcare providers. For adults, one or two tablets are recommended by doctors. Health professionals generally do not recommend a daily dose of more than eight tablets.
Percocet:
Percocet is another pain-relieving medicine that is used for the treatment of severe and moderate pain. Specific chemicals that are responsible for fever and pain are blocked by this medication drug. Percocet is available in pharmacies across the globe and is approved by FDA.
It is a mixture of two drugs. The two components that are mixed in this pain reliever are Acetaminophen and Oxycodone. Acetaminophen provides comfort from fever. However, Oxycodone manages severe and moderate pain from which the individual is suffering. The combination of these two components makes Percocet quite effective.
Percocet is available in the form of tablets, pills, and liquid (tonic or syrup). It should be taken under a health professional’s prescription. Large amounts of this medication drug must be avoided. One or two tablets are generally recommended by health professionals to adults. The maximum daily dose must not be more than 12 tablets.
Uses of Vicodin and Percocet:
Now, we will have a look at the uses of Percocet and Vicodin. These uses can be similar or differ in some conditions.
Vicodin:
- Vicodin is particularly used during the treatment of moderate to severe pain caused by accidents and is used when performing surgeries.
- It helps to relieve back pain too.
- This medication drug also helps to relieve pain in patients who underwent surgeries, operations, etc.
- The Acetaminophen component present in Vicodin can help reduce fever.
- This medicine also acts as a remedy during extreme cough.
Percocet:
- Percocet also is used to relieve pain in individuals who are suffering from moderate to severe pain caused by accidents and when performing surgeries.
- Acetaminophen, which is also present in Percocet, can help bring down fever.
- The Oxycodone component found in this pain-relieving drug has the ability to alter the response to pain.
- By acting on the part of the body that causes cough, it can be useful in providing relief from cough.
- The formation of mucus as well as swelling is often treated with this medicational drug.
Difference Between Percocet and Vicodin:
Composition:
Vicodin and Percocet differ in terms of their constituents. Vicodin is a combinational substance of Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen. On the other hand, Percocet has a composition of Oxycodone and Acetaminophen.
Availability:
Vicodin is a discontinued drug that is now available only as a generic medicine. It comes in the form of tablets and pills. Percocet is available in liquid, tablet, and pill forms.
Function:
Percocet actively relieves pain in the person’s body during surgery or operation. This pain-alleviating drug starts working in 1 hour and its effect can last up to 6 hours.
Same as Percocet, Vicodin relieves pain in the patient’s body during operation and surgery. This drug starts to work in 1 hour and its effect can last up to 4 hours.
Dosage:
Doctors will generally suggest to their patients what foods to eat and avoid when administering Percocet and Vicodin medicines. This is to prevent the risk of complications that can have a negative impact on the patient. Doctors may increase or decrease the doses of these drugs after diagnosing the patients.
Health Complications:
The health complications that can occur in a person after taking Percocet or Vicodin medication drugs are dizziness, loss of consciousness, increased sleepiness, difficulty in breathing, cold and clammy skin, low blood pressure, etc.
Side Effects of Vicodin and Percocet:
Vicodin:
Taking Vicodin medication drug for a long time can cause side effects. Here is a list of a few common side effects.
- Lightheartedness
- Anxiety
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Drowsiness
- Constipation
- Blurred vision
- Mood swings
- Upset stomach
- Difficulty when urinating
- Dry mouth
- Ringing in your ears
Percocet:
- Lightheartedness
- Anxiety
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Ringing in your ears
- Blurred vision
- Nausea
- Drowsiness
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Upset stomach
- Difficulty when urinating
- Mood swings
Conclusion:
In this article, we have learned about Percocet and Vicodin. Both are pain-alleviating medication drugs that have many similarities as well as differences. These medicines must be used after a prescription from health professionals. Otherwise, individuals may suffer from different symptoms. Some symptoms are common, while others are rare. Do not ignore while taking these medications.
Vicodin and Percocet are also known to work best when initial symptoms of physical pain start occurring. High doses of both these medicines are not recommended. If a doctor directs them to stop taking them, the individuals must not continue with the medication. They must interact with the health professionals if symptoms are occurring after completing the course.
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