Xodol

Xodol is a pain reliever commonly used in the treatment of short-term, moderately severe pain. It has two primary ingredients: acetaminophen and hydrocodone. The hydrocodone component is a narcotic, so strict rules regulate how Xodol is dispensed. The medication comes in tablet form and is typically taken every four to six hours or as needed for pain.

 

What Is Xodol?

Xodol™ (hydrocodone/APAP) is a prescription pain medication. As a narcotic, it is classified as a controlled substance, which means that special regulations and laws control its sale and use.
 
(Click Xodol Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
 

How Does Xodol Work?

Xodol contains two different medications: acetaminophen and hydrocodone bitartrate. Hydrocodone is a semi-synthetic 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 with other medications; it is not available alone.
 
Acetaminophen ("APAP") is a pain reliever and fever reducer commonly found in non-prescription medications such as Tylenol®. APAP is an acronym for one of the chemical names for acetaminophen. Combining hydrocodone with acetaminophen helps improve Xodol's effectiveness at relieving pain.
 
Xodol contains less acetaminophen, compared to most other hydrocodone/APAP products. Although it may be counterintuitive, this makes Xodol "stronger" than other hydrocodone/APAP products, because you can take more of the hydrocodone without exceeding the maximum dosage of acetaminophen.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;