Two medicines, side by side
Acetaminophen/hydrocodone vs amphetamine/dextroamphetamine
Acetaminophen/hydrocodone is labeled for pain; amphetamine/dextroamphetamine for adhd. Their labels share no use, so they are not alternatives to each other. Pharmacies paid $0.152 per hydrocodone-acetaminophen 10-325 mg tablet and $0.233 per dextroamp-amphetamin 10 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, acetaminophen/hydrocodone is an opioid agonist and amphetamine/dextroamphetamine a central nervous system stimulant.
Check it at the source: the acetaminophen/hydrocodone FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 23, 2025); the amphetamine/dextroamphetamine FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 4, 2026).
Highlights of the acetaminophen and hydrocodone record
Acetaminophen and hydrocodone (Norco) · label of October 23, 2025
SERIOUS AND LIFE-THREATENING RISKS FROM USE OF HYDROCODONE BITARTRATE AND ACETAMINOPHEN TABLETS. Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse Because the use of hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen tablets exposes patients and other users to the risks of opioid addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death, assess each patient’s risk prior to prescribing and reassess all patients regularly for the development of these behaviors and conditions [see WARNINGS ].
Used for
From the label: indicationsHydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen tablets are indicated for the management of pain severe enough to require an opioid analgesic and for which alternative treatments are inadequate. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- n/a
- Generic labelers
- 36 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.152 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 14
Highlights of the amphetamine and dextroamphetamine record
Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall) · label of August 4, 2026
ABUSE, MISUSE, AND ADDICTION DEXTROAMPHETAMINE SACCHARATE, AMPHETAMINE ASPARTATE, DEXTROAMPHETAMINE SULFATE AND AMPHETAMINE SULFATE TABLETS has a high potential for abuse and misuse, which can lead to the development of a substance use disorder, including addiction.
Used for
From the label: indicationsDextroamphetamine Saccharate, Amphetamine Aspartate, Dextroamphetamine Sulfate and Amphetamine Sulfate Tablets (Mixed Salts of a Single Amphetamine Product) are indicated for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Narcolepsy. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) A diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD; […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 19, 1960
- Generic labelers
- 25 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.233 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- In shortage
- Recalls
- 23
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Acetaminophen/hydrocodone label of October 23, 2025, Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine label of August 4, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do acetaminophen/hydrocodone and amphetamine/dextroamphetamine differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, acetaminophen/hydrocodone is an opioid agonist and amphetamine/dextroamphetamine a central nervous system stimulant.
Half-life, in each label's words: Acetaminophen/hydrocodone, “Maximum serum levels were achieved at 1.3 ± 0.3 hours and the half-life was determined to be 3.8 ± 0.3 hours.”; Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine, “The mean elimination half-life (t 1/2 ) for d-amphetamine was shorter than the t 1/2 of the l-isomer (9.77 to 11 hours …”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: acetaminophen/hydrocodone since 1982; amphetamine/dextroamphetamine since 2002 (Drugs@FDA).
| Acetaminophen/hydrocodone | Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Pain | ADHD |
| Pharmacologic class | Opioid Agonist | Central Nervous System Stimulant |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | Maximum serum levels were achieved at 1.3 ± 0.3 hours and the half-life was determined to be 3.8 ± 0.3 hours. | The mean elimination half-life (t 1/2 ) for d-amphetamine was shorter than the t 1/2 of the l-isomer (9.77 to 11 hours vs. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | n/a | January 19, 1960 |
| First generic approved | May 3, 1982 | February 11, 2002 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 36 labelers | 25 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.152 per tablet (Hydrocodone-acetaminophen 10-325 mg tablet) | $0.233 per tablet (Dextroamp-amphetamin 10 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -4% | -0.5% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 14 | 23 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 56,022 | 41,250 |
| DEA schedule | CII | CII |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Acetaminophen/hydrocodone label, drug interactionsBenzodiazepines and Other Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants Due to additive pharmacologic effect, the concomitant use of benzodiazepines and other CNS depressants, such as benzodiazepines and other sedative/hypnotics, anxiolytics, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, general anesthetics, antipsychotics, gabapentinoids (gabapentin or pregabalin), and other opioids, including alcohol, can increase the risk of …
Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine label, warningsIf concomitant use of dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine aspartate, dextroamphetamine sulfate and amphetamine sulfate tablets with other serotonergic drugs or CYP2D6 inhibitors is clinically warranted, initiate dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine aspartate, dextroamphetamine sulfate and amphetamine sulfate tablets with lower doses, monitor patients for the emergence of serotonin syndrome during drug …
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to acetaminophen/hydrocodone
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions