Two medicines, side by side
Acetaminophen vs hydrocodone
Acetaminophen and hydrocodone are both labeled for pain. Drugs@FDA records approvals of acetaminophen since 1968 and of hydrocodone since 2013. Pharmacies paid $0.0339 per unit (Acetaminophen 500 mg caplet) and $7.95 per hydrocodone ER 15 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Hydrocodone's other strengths are brand-only: $13.31 per Hysingla ER 20 mg tablet.
Check it at the source: the acetaminophen FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 13, 2024); the hydrocodone FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 29, 2026).
Highlights of the acetaminophen record
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) · label of November 13, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationstemporarily relieves minor aches and pains due to: minor pain of arthritis muscular aches backache premenstrual and menstrual cramps the common cold headache toothache temporarily reduces fever
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 7, 1968
- Generic labelers
- 89 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0339 per unit
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 19
Highlights of the hydrocodone record
Hydrocodone (Hysingla) · label of May 29, 2026
SERIOUS AND LIFE-THREATENING RISKS FROM USE OF HYSINGLA ER Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse Because the use of HYSINGLA ER 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 and Precautions (5.1) ].
Used for
From the label: indicationsHYSINGLA ER is indicated for the management of severe and persistent pain that requires an opioid analgesic and that cannot be adequately treated with alternative options, including immediate-release opioids. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 25, 2013
- Generic labelers
- 1 labeler
- Pharmacy cost
- $7.95 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Acetaminophen label of November 13, 2024, Hydrocodone label of May 29, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do acetaminophen and hydrocodone differ on the record?
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: acetaminophen since 1986; hydrocodone since 2020 (Drugs@FDA).
DEA schedule: acetaminophen none; hydrocodone CII.
| Acetaminophen | Hydrocodone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Fever, Cough and cold, Pain | Pain |
| Pharmacologic class | n/a | Opioid Agonist |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Hydrocodone is a full opioid agonist with relative selectivity for the mu-opioid receptor, although it can interact with other opioid receptors at higher doses. The principal therapeutic action of hydrocodone is analgesia. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | The mean terminal half-life (t 1/2 ) was similar for all HYSINGLA ER dose strengths ranging from 7 to 9 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 7, 1968 | October 25, 2013 |
| First generic approved | December 1, 1986 | January 21, 2020 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 89 labelers | 1 labeler |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0339 per unit (Acetaminophen 500 mg caplet) | $7.95 per capsule (Hydrocodone ER 15 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | +5% | +34% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 19 | 0 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 445,075 | 43,191 |
| DEA schedule | none | 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?
Hydrocodone label, warnings and precautionsUse with Benzodiazepines or Other CNS Depressants Profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death may result from the concomitant use of HYSINGLA ER with benzodiazepines and/or other CNS depressants, including alcohol (e.g., non-benzodiazepine sedatives/hypnotics, anxiolytics, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, general anesthetics, antipsychotics, gabapentinoids [gabapentin or pregabalin], and other …
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to acetaminophen
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions