WE are from the US but currently in France where my husband is being treated for throat cancer. The doctor here gave him Dicodin 60 mg when we asked for Vicodin 10. Is this the same? If not how many Dicodin 60 should I give to equal Vicodin 10? thanks
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6/27/09 3:45pm
They are similar in that they are both narcotic pain relievers but different in that they contain different narcotics. The type of narcotic in Dicodin, dihydrocodeine, interestingly enough, is a precursor to several other narcotics. The narcotic drug in Vicodin is called oxycodone.
There's really no need to attempt to figure out how much Dicodin 60 = Vicodin 10. Your doctor should be well aware of Dicodin's effects (its commonly used in Europe) and figured out your husband's dosage by assessing his condition. Simply follow your doctor's instruction on how to take the drug and contact your doctor if its not working. Good luck with your husband's treatment.
http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/find-drug-25443-25.html
6/27/09 7:23pm
I'd like to correct an error in the previous answer. Vicodin is a combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen – not oxycodone. The rest of the answer is correct.
Besides being a different type of opioid medication, Dicodin is extended-release and Vicodin is immediate-release, which makes it more difficult to figure out a dose-by-dose comparison. Also, I haven't been able to find an equivalency chart, so I can't really tell you how they compare dosage-wise. But I agree with Cort, the doctor should know the appropriate dosage so it's best and safest to administer them exactly as prescribed.
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By CURDMOR— Last Modified: 03/05/13, First Published: 06/27/09
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