Hydrocodone is a potent opioid used to manage severe and persistent pain that requires an extended treatment period with a daily opioid pain medicine, when other non-opioid pain medicines do not treat your pain well enough, or you cannot tolerate them. Hydrocodone and oxycodone are both opioid pain relievers. Learn how they’re different and how to safely use them. Hydrocodone is used to relieve severe pain. Hydrocodone is in a class of medications called opiate (narcotic) analgesics. It works by changing the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain. This monograph only includes information about the use of hydrocodone alone. Hydrocodone is a prescription narcotic indicated for the management of severe pain. Learn about side effects, drug interactions, dosages, warnings, and more. Hydrocodone belongs to the group of medicines called opioid analgesics (pain medicines). It acts on the central nervous system (CNS) to relieve pain. When hydrocodone is used for a long time, it may become habit-forming, causing mental or physical dependence. This article describes the dosages of hydrocodone, its strengths, and how to take it. For a detailed overview of this drug, check out this in-depth hydrocodone article. It is a therapeutic opioid that is less harmful than morphine and codeine but has a lot of similar effects. It is basically a semi-synthetic prescription opioid that is made from codeine and is used most frequently in the treatment of pain after surgery, severe arthritis, and cancer pain. Norco and Vicodin are prescription medications composed of hydrocodone and acetaminophen, a non-opioid pain reliever, in different dosage forms. Although commonly known by their brand names, they are now only prescribed as generic versions. Hydrocodone is used to treat moderate to severe pain. In liquid formulations, it is used to treat coughing. [11]. In one study comparing the potency of hydrocodone to that of oxycodone, it was found that it took 50% more hydrocodone to achieve the same degree of miosis (pupillary contraction). [27]. This article describes the dosages of hydrocodone, as well as its strengths and how to take it. To learn more about hydrocodone, including its uses and side effects, see this hydrocodone.