Vicodin and Percocet are both brand names for prescription painkillers. Both drugs contain combinations of opioid ingredients and acetaminophen. Both are considered highly habit-forming narcotics. These drugs should only be prescribed for the relief of short-term pain. Taking either drug long-term can lead to a substance use disorder. If you or a loved one has developed a dependency to Vicodin or Percocet, Crestview Recovery, a Percocet addiction treatment center in Portland, Oregon can help. In the consideration of Vicodin vs Percocet, here’s what you need to know.
The Ingredients in Vicodin
Vicodin contains hydrocodone and acetaminophen. It is the hydrocodone that contains opium. This drug is a respiratory depressant that slows heart rate and can become fatal if taken other than prescribed. It’s recommended for severe pain, but should never be taken long term, unless indicated by your prescriber. You should also tell your doctor whether you have risk factors in your background before taking hydrocodone. Risk factors make you more susceptible to dependency on the drug. They include:
- Being raised in a household where drug use was normal
- Living in a neighborhood where drug use is prevalent
- Suffering from depression or another mental illness
- Misusing alcohol or being around people who do
The second ingredient in Vicodin is acetaminophen. It’s an analgesic that relieves pain and reduces fever. Taken alone, it is not habit-forming. Acetominophen, alone, is readily available without a prescription and is a common household drug in many homes.
The Ingredients in Percocet
Percoset combines acetaminophen with oxycodone, another opioid drug. Percoset is typically prescribed for the relief of moderate to moderately severe pain, where other non-narcotic medications have failed. This drug is a highly habit-forming narcotic that must be taken only as directed and only for short periods of time, unless otherwise indicated by your physician.
Oxycodone works by changing the way your brain reacts to pain. If taken consistently over time, it can become less effective. People who abuse oxycodone, or drugs that contain oxycodone, often do so for this reason.
Vicodin vs Percocet: Which Is Better?
From a physician’s standpoint, neither drug is a good choice. Both have a high risk of dependency. Percoset, however, seems to be the worse option. Oxycodone, the opioid element in Percocet, is slightly more addictive than hydrocodone. This makes Vicodin the safer choice of drug.
Opioid drugs such as Vicodin and Percocet should be last-resort options, only after non-narcotic drugs have been tried and proven noneffective. So, when it comes to Vicodin vs Percocet, there really is no good option. Between the two, however, Vicodin is better.
Substance Use Disorder and Opioid Drugs
If you know someone who’s abusing Percocet or Vicodin, or if you’re having problems with these or other opioid pain relievers, Crestview Recovery in Portland, Oregon can help. We offer a full range of drug and alcohol treatment programs, including those for opioid dependencies, such as:
- Partial hospitalization program
- Intensive outpatient treatment
- Transitional care program
- Extended care program
Treatment for opioid-use disorder is typically long-term and may or may not involve the use of replacement drugs. This treatment is most effective when it weans the client off the drug gradually. Stopping the use of opioids all at once is never recommended.
Symptoms of Dependency on Vicodin or Percocet
Opioid dependency includes symptoms such as sleep disruption, including nodding off at inappropriate times, increase in anxiety, euphoric mood, poor focus and concentration, and slowed respiration.
If you notice these symptoms in yourself or in a family member, it’s time to seek help. If you live in the Pacific Northwest, Crestview Recovery has the resources you need to feel better. Call us today at 866.262.0531 for a consultation.
