Lortab Versus Percocet

When it comes to pain relief, particularly for chronic pain that has been experienced for a long period of time, two of the more popular pain relievers are Lortab and Percocet. Each pain reliever is somewhat similar in makeup, but there are differences that you will need to be aware of before choosing with drug is right for your needs.

Facts About Percocet

Percocet is the older drug having first been approved in 1976 by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). By the turn of the 21st century, Percocet was available in six different types of dosages that could be taken orally for the relief of chronic pain. It was recommended by an FDA advisory panel that Percocet be limited in its sales due to the number of deaths attributed to acetaminophen in the US every year. While the annual number was around 400 which is a fairly small percentage, it was deemed dangerous enough to invoke a limitation of the drug itself.

Understanding Lortab

Lortab also contains acetaminophen, but was not produced in the US until well after Percocet hit the market. Still, it does contain many of the same ingredients and does fall under the same limitations in terms of dosages and uses just like Percocet. Side effects include nausea, constipation, vomiting and dry mouth. Vicodin is another name for Lortab and it does have well known addictive qualities, particular for those who have taken it over a long period of time for relief of their chronic pain.

The Differences Between Lortab and Percocet

On the surface there is actually very little difference between each drug as they have somewhat similar properties. However, Percocet is a combination of acetaminophen and oxycodone while Lortab is a combination of acetaminophen and hydrocodone. While they may sound similar, oxycodone is actually a little stronger than hydrocodone so technically speaking Percocet should be a stronger painkiller than Lortab.

However, the difference in terms of overall strength is not all that much and everyone reacts differently to pain killing drugs. In essence, this means that some people will react better to the hydrocodone than the oxycodone despite the overall differences in strength. So, choosing the better one for you will require a little experimenting with your doctor to see what effects the chemicals will have on the body.

If you have had bad experiences with oxycodone in the past, then you do not want to take Percocet at all. In fact, you may want to try neurostimulators instead of painkilling prescriptions if you do not want to take drugs at all. However, for those who are looking at chronic pain relief in particular, both Lortab and Percocet are well suited for the task.

Overall, the differences between Lortab and Percocet are actually rather minimal by comparison, but Percocet is somewhat stronger which may make it a more effective drug. However, both prescriptions should be taken with care as they do contain addiction causing properties. So, be sure to speak to your doctor about which one is right for your needs.