What is the difference between ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE and OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE?

ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE and OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE are both Opioid Analgesics, so they work through the same broad mechanism. They differ in dosing, half-life, side-effect frequency, and how individual patients tolerate them. See the head-to-head sections below for the specifics.

Can ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE and OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE be used for the same conditions?

Both medications are prescribed for overlapping indications including INDICATIONS AND USAGE Acetaminophen and codeine phosphate tablets are indicated for the management of mild to moderate pain and where treatment with an opioid is appropriate and for which alternative treatments are inadequate. Limitations of Use Because of the risks of addiction. Always verify with your prescriber and the current FDA label before switching.

Is Acetaminophen and Codeine Phosphate the same as Oxycodone Hydrochloride?

No. Acetaminophen and Codeine Phosphate (ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE) and Oxycodone Hydrochloride (OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE) are distinct medications. They are sometimes confused because of similar branding or because they treat overlapping conditions, but they have different active ingredients and different safety profiles.

Which has fewer side effects, ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE or OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE?

Side-effect frequency varies by individual. The side-effect comparison section on this page shows FAERS-reported events for each drug side by side. FAERS is voluntary reporting, so it reflects what patients and clinicians chose to report, not absolute population risk.

Can I switch from ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE to OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE?

Switching medications should always be done under prescriber supervision. The "patient stories" section on this page includes accounts from people who have made the switch and what their transition felt like, but those are individual experiences, not protocols.

ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE vs OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE

Compare ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE (Acetaminophen and Codeine Phosphate) and OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE (Oxycodone Hydrochloride) — clinical data, side effects, and patient experiences.

ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE

Acetaminophen and Codeine Phosphate, Codeine Linctus · Opioid Analgesic

How it works

Other agent

Approved for

INDICATIONS AND USAGE Acetaminophen and codeine phosphate tablets are indicated for the management of mild to moderate pain

where treatment with an opioid is appropriate and for which alternative treatments are inadequate. Limitations of Use Because of the risks of addiction

abuse

misuse

OralTablet

OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE

Oxycodone Hydrochloride · Opioid Analgesic

How it works

Other agent

Approved for

abuse

misuse

overdose

and death

OralTablet

Quick Comparison

ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATEOXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE

Drug Class

Opioid Analgesic

Route

Oral

Half-Life

—

FDA Approved

—

Side Effect Frequency Comparison

Estimated frequency (%) based on clinical trial data

Side Effects

ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE

Drug Not Working

1-10%

Fatigue

1-10%

Nausea

1-10%

Headache

1-10%

Diarrhea

1-10%

Shortness of Breath

1-10%

Joint Pain

1-10%

Vomiting

0.1-1%

OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE

Nausea

0.1-1%

Drug Not Working

0.1-1%

Fatigue

0.1-1%

Diarrhea

0.1-1%

Vomiting

0.1-1%

Anxiety

0.1-1%

Depression

0.1-1%

FDA Warnings

ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE

Assess each patient’s risk prior to prescribing acetaminophen and codeine phosphate tablets and monitor all patients regularly for the development of these behaviors and conditions [see WARNINGS]
Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur with use of acetaminophen and codeine phosphate tablets, especially during initiation or following a dosage increase
To reduce the risk of respiratory depression, proper dosing and titration of Acetaminophen and codeine phosphate are essential [see Warnings]
Accidental Ingestion Accidental ingestion of even one dose of Acetaminophen and codeine phosphate tablets, especially by children, can result in a fatal overdose of acetaminophen and codeine phosphate [see WARNINGS]

OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Opioid-Induced Hyperalgesia and Allodynia : Opioid-Induced Hyperalgesia (OIH) occurs when opioid analgesic paradoxically causes an increase in pain, or an increase in sensitivity to pain
10) Risks of Use in Patients with Increased Intracranial Pressure, Brain Tumors, Head Injury, or Impaired Consciousness : Monitor for sedation and respiratory depression
As an opioid, oxycodone hydrochloride exposes users to the risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse [see Drug Abuse and Dependence (9)]
Although the risk of addiction in any individual is unknown, it can occur in patients appropriately prescribed oxycodone hydrochloride

Clinical Trial Data

No head-to-head clinical studies found for ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE vs OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE.

ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE vs OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE: What You Should Know

Key Differences

Both ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE and OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE belong to the Opioid Analgesic class. While they share a similar mechanism of action, differences in pharmacokinetics, dosing, and side effect profiles may make one more suitable than the other for individual patients.

Shared Indications

Both medications are approved for abuse, misuse, overdose, and death. When two drugs treat the same condition, the choice between them often depends on the patient's medical history, other medications, tolerability, and prescriber preference.

Safety Considerations

ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE carries 4 FDA warnings. OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE carries 4 FDA warnings. Patients should discuss all warnings and contraindications with their healthcare provider before starting or switching medications..

This comparison is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making medication decisions.

Related Comparisons

OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE vs TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE→CODEINE SULFATE vs OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE→OXYCODONE AND ACETAMINOPHEN vs OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE→BUPRENORPHINE vs OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE→BENZHYDROCODONE AND ACETAMINOPHEN vs OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE→BUPRENORPHINE AND NALOXONE vs OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE→

Primary sources

Every figure on this comparison links back to its primary source. See data sources and methodology for the full provenance trail.

ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE: DailyMed label · FAERS adverse events · ClinicalTrials.gov
OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE: DailyMed label · FAERS adverse events · ClinicalTrials.gov

Loading comparison data...

ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE vs OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE

Compare ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE (Acetaminophen and Codeine Phosphate) and OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE (Oxycodone Hydrochloride) — clinical data, side effects, and patient experiences.

ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE

Acetaminophen and Codeine Phosphate, Codeine Linctus · Opioid Analgesic

How it works

Other agent

Approved for

INDICATIONS AND USAGE Acetaminophen and codeine phosphate tablets are indicated for the management of mild to moderate pain

where treatment with an opioid is appropriate and for which alternative treatments are inadequate. Limitations of Use Because of the risks of addiction

abuse

misuse

OralTablet

OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE

Oxycodone Hydrochloride · Opioid Analgesic

How it works

Other agent

Approved for

abuse

misuse

overdose

and death

OralTablet

Quick Comparison

ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATEOXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE

Drug Class

Opioid Analgesic

Route

Oral

Half-Life

—

FDA Approved

—

Side Effect Frequency Comparison

Estimated frequency (%) based on clinical trial data

Side Effects

ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE

Drug Not Working

1-10%

Fatigue

1-10%

Nausea

1-10%

Headache

1-10%

Diarrhea

1-10%

Shortness of Breath

1-10%

Joint Pain

1-10%

Vomiting

0.1-1%

OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE

Nausea

0.1-1%

Drug Not Working

0.1-1%

Fatigue

0.1-1%

Diarrhea

0.1-1%

Vomiting

0.1-1%

Anxiety

0.1-1%

Depression

0.1-1%

FDA Warnings

ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE

Assess each patient’s risk prior to prescribing acetaminophen and codeine phosphate tablets and monitor all patients regularly for the development of these behaviors and conditions [see WARNINGS]
Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur with use of acetaminophen and codeine phosphate tablets, especially during initiation or following a dosage increase
To reduce the risk of respiratory depression, proper dosing and titration of Acetaminophen and codeine phosphate are essential [see Warnings]
Accidental Ingestion Accidental ingestion of even one dose of Acetaminophen and codeine phosphate tablets, especially by children, can result in a fatal overdose of acetaminophen and codeine phosphate [see WARNINGS]

OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Opioid-Induced Hyperalgesia and Allodynia : Opioid-Induced Hyperalgesia (OIH) occurs when opioid analgesic paradoxically causes an increase in pain, or an increase in sensitivity to pain
10) Risks of Use in Patients with Increased Intracranial Pressure, Brain Tumors, Head Injury, or Impaired Consciousness : Monitor for sedation and respiratory depression
As an opioid, oxycodone hydrochloride exposes users to the risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse [see Drug Abuse and Dependence (9)]
Although the risk of addiction in any individual is unknown, it can occur in patients appropriately prescribed oxycodone hydrochloride

Clinical Trial Data

No head-to-head clinical studies found for ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE vs OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE.

ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE vs OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE: What You Should Know

Key Differences

Shared Indications

Safety Considerations

This comparison is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making medication decisions.

Primary sources

Every figure on this comparison links back to its primary source. See data sources and methodology for the full provenance trail.

ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE: DailyMed label · FAERS adverse events · ClinicalTrials.gov
OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE: DailyMed label · FAERS adverse events · ClinicalTrials.gov