How much stronger is Vicodin than Naproxen?!


Question: How much stronger is Vicodin than Naproxen?
Naproxen didn't seem to do much for my pain, 500 mg. The same amount of Vicodin seemed better. Does Vicodin have that much more of a narcotic in it, or what?

Answers:

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Firstly, that was 5 mg of hydrocodone, and 500 of tylenol. Think of the tylenol as a filler, and that should tell you something right away.

Vicodin is an opiad(a weak one, but an opiod at that) and naproxen is an nsaid. Vicodin blocks pain, its a bandaid. Naproxen(which is prescription and otc, just like ibuprofen) makes swelling go down, like a bag of ice.

Alright, those were bad examples because it makes vicodin look pretty weak. ;)

Since they're two totally different kinds of medicine, it isn't easy to say vicodin is x times stronger. It depends on what your treating.

Vicodin is stronger, but I can't tell you exactly how much, let's say 100, shall we?



Vicodin (brand name for Hydrocone / Tylenol combination) is an opiate analgesic; Naproxen (generic name for Naprosyn) is an NSAID (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug), and one of the few left that are considered safe.

Vicodin dosages are read as Hydrocodone in milligrams, then Tylenol in milligrams. For example, if your pills are marked 5/500, it would be 5mg of Hydrocodone, and 500mg of Tylenol.

500mg is the typical prescription for Naproxen, and I still use it now a I have for many years, along with opiates a lot stronger than Vicodin.

It's important to understand the nature of each med. Hydrocodone, like all opiates, alter the brain's perception of the pain, and the Tylenol component adds in an anti-inflammatory as well. In your case, the reason the Vicodin seemed better is that the Hydrocodone was masking the pain better, in addition to relieving any inflammation. Usually I use both, but my problems are more severe than most. With either med, you should also make sure you drink a lot of water or cranberry juice to keep your kidneys flushed. If you ever take Naproxen or Vicodin and your kidneys start aching (you can feel it in the middle of your back under the shoulder blades) you'll know you're dehydrated and your kidneys are being strained. You should drink a lot anyway just to deal with stomach irritation. I typically either chew or crush (usually chew up) Naproxen, Percocet, or any other pain med I use to ease the constipation.

Naproxen and Vicodin are typically meant to be used together, but check first with your doctor. If you are supposed to be taking them together, try to overlap the dosages so you're not taking them at the same time. Your stomach will be grateful.

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Vicodin is a Schedule 3 narcotic. It contains Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen (aka Tylenol). It is used for moderately severe pain. It does not resolve inflammation-swelling-it is only used for pain. Naproxen is a NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug). It is useful for pain and/or pain associated with inflammation such as bursitis, tendonitis, arthritis. Hope this helps.

I'm a pharmacist



Naproxen is over-the-counter, Vicodin is prescription. That should tell you something.

Naproxen is just Aleve and you can get that OTC...Your prescription ones just contain more active ingredient...the OTC ones you just take more...You know like how they have prescription tylenol they are just 500mg instead of 250mg...I don't understand why they do it like that but they do...and I don't think there are any narcotics in the naproxen...




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