Hydrocodone and Codeine are the two commonly prescribed medicines, which are used to treat severe pain in patients. They are made of different dosages and ingredients for the treatment. Both medicines also cause several side effects in individuals.
Now, we are going to compare two medicines, which include Hydrocodone and Codeine.
What Is Hydrocodone?
Hydrocodone is widely used to treat severe chronic pain. People use this medicine for the treatment of cough and other problems. It contains an active ingredient called Dihydrocodeine. Its molar mass is 299.368 g/mol.
Properties of Hydrocodone Medicine
Hydrocodone drug consists of several physical properties. These include the following:
- It is a white color medicine.
- It is soluble in chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and water but insoluble in ether.
- The melting point of Hydrocodone drug is 198 degrees Celsius.
- Its density is 1.29 g/ml and its refractive index is 1.633.
What Is Codeine?
Codeine is a medicine, which is used to treat severe pain in patients. It also reduces cough, when combined with other medicines. The active ingredient of Codeine medicine is Codeine Phosphate Hemihydrate. Its molar mass is 299.368 g/mol.
Properties of Codeine Medicine
There are different physical properties of Codeine medicine. These are as follows:
- It is soluble in water, benzene, toluene, chloroform, and alcohol, but insoluble in petroleum ether.
- The melting and boiling points of Codeine drug are 157.5 degrees Celsius and 250 degrees Celsius.
- The density of the Codeine drug is 1.32 g/ml.
Comparison Between Hydrocodone and Codeine Medicines
Below are several comparisons between Hydrocodone and Codeine medicines. These are the following:
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval
The approval of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) applies only to Codeine medicine. Read the following information about the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of Hydrocodone and Codeine medicine.
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval is not applicable for Hydrocodone medicine.
- Codeine medicine was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the year 2009.
Brand Names
Both medicines consist of different brand names.
- The brand names of Hydrocodone are Hysingla ER, Zohydro ER, Vantrela ER, etc.
- Codeine Contin is the only brand name of Codeine medicine.
Function
- The function of Hydrocodone medicine is to protect the central part of the nervous system from severe pain.
- Codeine medicine blocks the pain signals in the central part of the nervous system. This reduces stress and anxiety in individuals.
Dosages
Both medicines consist of several dosage strengths and forms. Read the following information in detail:
Hydrocodone
The dosages of Hydrocodone medicine are used for the treatment of severe pain in adults and children. They are available in the form of extended-release oral capsules and tablets.
The dosage strength of the extended-release capsule of Hydrocodone drug is 10mg. The dosage strength of an extended-release tablet is 20mg.
Codeine
The dosages of Codeine medicine are used to treat severe pain in adults and children. They are available in the form of tablets.
The dosage strengths of tablets are Codeine 60mg, 15 mg, and 30mg.
Half-Life
- The half-life of Hydrocodone medicine is 8 hours.
- The half-life of Codeine medicine is 3.5 hours.
Interaction with Other Medicinal Drugs
Both Hydrocodone and Codeine medicines also interact with other medicinal drugs.
Hydrocodone
Hydrocodone medicine can interact with different medicinal drugs. These include Bromazepam, Amitriptyline, Amineptine, Cannabidiol, Carisoprodol, Cocaine, Oxymorphone, Oxycarbazepine etc.
Codeine
Several medicinal drugs can interact with Codeine medicine. These are Fluoxetine, Frovatriptan, Hyoscyamine, Ketazolam, Loxapine, Metolazone, Olanzapine etc.
Side Effects
Each medicine cause different side effects. Read the following information about the side effects of Hydrocodone and Codeine.
Hydrocodone
The side effects of Hydrocodone medicine are as follows:
- Bladder pain
- Sore throat
- Body pain
- Chest pain
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Skin darkness
- Mental depression
- Swallowing problem
- Vomiting
Codeine
There are different side effects of Codeine medicine. These include the following:
- Breathing problem
- Stomach pain
- Red or yellow skin and eyes
- Sleeping problem
- Dryness in mouth
- Light-headedness
- Blurred vision
- Sweating
- Shivering
- Tightness in chest
- Indigestion
Conclusion
This blog explains the comparison between Hydrocodone and Codeine medicines. Both medicines consist of different dosages for the treatment of severe pain in patients.
However, Hydrocodone and Codeine medicines also cause side effects. Avoid using these medicines without consulting a doctor.