What is the difference between butalbital and hydrocodone?

Answer 1

It's a pain killer and cough suppressant used in medications like Vicodin.

"Hydrocodone" is a "semi-synthetic" or partially man-made opiod analgesic (pain killer) and antitussive (cough suppressant) made from codeine and thebaine.

"Bitartrate" is a salt of tartaric acid. Tartaric acid is a muscle toxin but in medications that include Hydrocodone Bitartrate, it is used to alter the water-solubility of Hydrocodone to make it more readily absorbed b the body. Hydrocodone Bitartrate is the generic name/active ingredient (alongside acetaminophen) in Vicodin, Vicodin ES, Lortab, and Norco. It is a mild to moderate pain reliever and is a Schedule III drug in the United States. It is only available with a prescription from a doctor.

-Syrich, Pharmacy Technician

Answer 2

Butalbital is a barbiturate, wheras hydrocodone is a derivitive of the naturally occurring opiate compound thebaine. Hydrocodone is a semi-synthetic opioid.

By medical means, hydrocodone is a narcotic used in medium-severe levels of pain management. Hydrocodone is often in pill form as a acetaminophen (Tylenol)/low dose hydrocodone preperation. Do not drink after having taken even small doses of acetaminophen (tylonel) (found in almost all hydrocodone drug preperations) because it can cause moderate, severe or fatal liver damage. Hydrocodone causes respiratory depression so don't take other depressant drugs such as alcohol, benzodiazapines, opioid pain killers, barbiturates or any other drug that causes respiratory failure without knowing the possibly fatal reactions amongst drugs.

By medical means, butalbital is used in combination with acetominophen (a legal yet toxic painkiller) to treat migraines. Because butalbital is prepared in a acetaminophen (Tylenol)/ butalbital preperation & because Tylenol can cause fatal liver damage especially when combined with alcohol, butalbital should not be taken with alcohol. Butalbital is a barbiturate meaning it causes respiratory depression; high doses can lead to respiratory failure (seizing breathing, causing death)

Answer 3

The hydrocodne HCl is a lighter molecule, with a hydrogen ion and a chlorine ion bound to each hydrocodone molecule. The bitartrate version is a hydrogen ion and a tartaric acid molecule. Both of these serve to ensure the bioavailablity of the hydrocodne.

Answer 4

Answer#1

There is no difference.

Answer 5

Hydrocodone Bitartrate is merely a longer name of the Hydrocodone that is in the Hydrocodone/APAP preparation.

Answer 6

Hydrocodone Polistirex is a time release formulation of hydrocodone bitartrate, used in the cough medicine Tussionex. Hydrocodone Bitartrate is simply an immediate release form. (ie Lortab)

Answer 7

what is the difference between Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Hydrocodone/acetaminophen

Answer 8

They are the same.