You were switched from percocet to Lortab Lortab doesn't work as well or as long why?

Answer 1

Percocet is Oxycodone and Tylenol - Lortab (another brand name for Vicodin) is Hydrocodone and Tylenol.

Percocet is a Schedule II narcotic, and requires a prescription for each fill. It cannot be called in or refilled.

Lortab is a Schedule III narcotic, and can be called in, refilled, etc.

The primary difference is in the strength of the opiate in the drug - Percocet is controlled more because the opiate content is much higher than Schedule III drugs. Other Schedule II drugs are Dilaudid, Morphine, MSContin (time release Morphine), Oxycodone, Methadone, Codeine (pure form, not combo) etc.

The reason that Lortab is not working as well or as long is that it's a step down on the opiate schedule - it's just not as strong to begin with. It's likely you're doctor switched you because:

1. He's an idiot and doesn't know anything about pain medications and pain

2. He figured your pain was reduced and switched you thinking you wouldn't notice the difference, and

3. He thought he'd "save" you from becoming dependent. Forget that you're still in pain.

Advice? First thing, start tracking your pain with a Pain Diary - you can get them at painfoundation.org (American Pain Foundation). If you ask for stronger meds without documented evidence of increased pain you'll be labled a drug seeker by idiots who are looking to cover their asses, and not help you ease your pain.

Second - find another doctor. Anyone who changes your medication without explaining why or telling you that it's less potent isn't being honest, and you can't trust them. Doctors are like Barbers - they provide a service. If you get a bad haircut, do you keep going back? Try to find a pain specialist.