What Is Xodol Used For? -- An Overview
Xodol™ (
hydrocodone/APAP) is a prescription medication approved to treat moderate to moderately severe pain. It is not appropriate for severe pain, since stronger medications are usually necessary, or for mild pain, since non-narcotic medications are usually sufficient. Xodol is one of many different
hydrocodone/APAP medications currently available. Compared to most hydrocodone/APAP products, Xodol contains less
acetaminophen. Counterintuitively, this means that Xodol is stronger, since you can take more hydrocodone (the narcotic) without exceeding the maximum
acetaminophen dosage.
Xodol is typically used to treat short-term pain due to an injury, surgery, or dental procedure. Occasionally, it is used to treat chronic pain,
migraines, or other types of recurring, long-term conditions that cause pain. It is often used (or rather, abused) inappropriately, as it contains a narcotic medication.
Xodol contains two different medications:
hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen. Hydrocodone is a narcotic, opioid pain reliever. It is similar to codeine. Hydrocodone is effective at decreasing pain and relieving coughing, but also causes drowsiness, mood changes, and mental "clouding." In the United States, hydrocodone is only available in combination medications; it is not available alone (as a single-ingredient medication).
Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer commonly found in non-prescription medications, such as
Tylenol®. Combining hydrocodone with acetaminophen helps improve the effectiveness of Xodol. Make sure to carefully monitor your acetaminophen intake, including acetaminophen from other sources, while taking Xodol in order to avoid toxicity
(see Xodol Drug Interactions and Xodol Dosage for more information).
