Key takeaways
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and hydrocodone/ibuprofen (Vicoprofen) are both used to relieve pain, but they have some key differences. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that you can get over-the-counter or by prescription. It helps with pain, fever, and inflammation by blocking certain proteins in your body. On the other hand, hydrocodone/ibuprofen is a combination of an opioid (hydrocodone) and an NSAID (ibuprofen) and is only available by prescription. This combination is used for more severe pain that isn't relieved by non-opioid medications alone. While ibuprofen can cause side effects like nausea and stomach pain, hydrocodone/ibuprofen can cause more serious issues like slowed breathing, addiction, and severe stomach problems. Additionally, hydrocodone/ibuprofen is a controlled substance due to the risk of misuse and dependency, whereas ibuprofen is not. Both medications should be taken with caution, but hydrocodone/ibuprofen requires more careful monitoring and has stricter usage guidelines.
