whats the difference b/w vicodin and tylenol w/ codeine? is one any more addictive than the other??

Answer 1

Although both vicodin (hydrocodone) and codeine are derivatives of morphine, they are structurally different. Vicodin is essentially codeine with an extra hydrogen molecule (hence the "hydro") and two extra oxygen molecules (hence the "one" at the end).

What this means to you, the consumer, is that the government has categorized some preparations containing codeine, such as Robitussin AC, as a Schedule IV drug, while ALL preparations containing hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab, Norco, Lorcet) are classified as Schedule III substances. This means that the FDA and the medical community generally agree that products containing hydrocodone (Vicodin) have a much higher potential for abuse, psychological dependence, and Addiction.

In a nutshell, Vicodin is considered to be ten times stronger than Tylenol w/ Codeine, and it carries twice the potential for addiction.

I know this is probably WAY more than you wanted, but there you have it :)

Answer 2

Vicodin is the stronger of the two and is also opiate based and extremely addictive. Codeine can also be addictive but is a mild pain killer compared to Vicodin.

Answer 3

The codeine is not as strong as the hydrocodone (vicodin) and therefore, probably less likely to develop dependency.