Is Vicodin an Opiate?

Opiates refer to natural substances derived from the Opium Poppy (Papaver somniferum), which contains chemical compounds including codeine and morphine. These compounds are extracted for use in prescription medications.

Opioids are synthetic or semi-synthetic products. Synthetic opioids are entirely man-made while semi-synthetic opioids are a hybrid, resulting from chemical modifications of natural opiates that are then blended with synthetic opioids. Synthetic opioids include drugs like methadone and fentanyl, while semi-synthetic opioids include hydrocodone and oxycodone.

Both opiates and opioids work to modify a person’s perception of pain and their emotional reactions to that pain. Both attach to opioid receptors, which are molecules on nerve cells in the brain. When the drugs are attached, the nerve cells transmit altered messages to the pain that show inaccurate levels of pain severity, thereby reducing the severity of pain signals. It’s important to note that some opioids work by binding to the same receptors as opiates, but since they have synthetic components they are not considered to be opiates.

Since Vicodin is a synthetic, man-made product, it is not an opiate. However, since it does contain a semi-synthetic substance that was derived by modifying an opiate, it is an opioid. Vicodin is an opioid painkiller that contains a combination of hydrocodone (the semi-synthetic opioid) and acetaminophen (a pain reliever and fever reducer).

Pain is relieved when the hydrocodone acts on the central nervous system while acetaminophen further decreases pain and reduces fever. It is most commonly prescribed for relieving pain that stems from injuries or surgery.

Vicodin is manufactured in various formula strengths:

• 5 milligrams of hydrocodone with 300 milligrams of acetaminophen
• 7.5 milligrams of hydrocodone with 300 milligrams of acetaminophen
• 10 milligrams of hydrocodone with 300 milligrams of acetaminophen

Vicodin is most commonly prescribed for relieving pain due to injury or surgery. Vicodin addiction and dependence can occur after using it to manage pain over long lengths of time. Additionally, some people misuse Vicodin in an attempt to elicit effects like those felt when using other opioids, such as morphine, heroin or codeine.