Hi Rose:
I just checked out Percocet, which is the oxycodone/acetominophen combination that I am taking, on http://www.rxlist.com. This is what they had to say about it:
>Acetaminophen, 4'-hydroxyacetanilide, is a non-opiate, non-salicylate
>analgesic and antipyretic which
> occurs as a white, odorless, crystalline powder, possessing a slightly
> bitter taste. Its molecular
> formula is C8H9NO2. The molecular weight is 151.17.
>
> The oxycodone component is 14-hydroxydihydrocodeinone, a white,
> odorless, crystalline powder
> having a saline, bitter taste. It is derived from the opium alkaloid
> thebaine. Its molecular formula is
> C18H21NO4·HCl. The molecular weight is 351.83.
>
> Capsules
>
> Each capsule, for oral administration, contains:
>
> Acetaminophen: 500 mg
> Oxycodone HCl (WARNING: May be habit forming): 5 mg*
>
> Inactive Ingredients: Black iron oxide, corn starch, D&C yellow #10
> aluminum lake, FD&C blue #1,
> FD&C blue #2 aluminum lake, FD&C red #40, FD&C red #40 aluminum lake,
> gelatin, magnesium
> stearate, pharmaceutical glaze, povidone, pregelatinized starch,
> propylene glycol, and titanium
> dioxide.
>
> Tablets
>
> Each tablet of Percocet contains:
>
> Acetaminophen: 325 mg
> Oxycodone HCl (WARNING: May be habit forming): 5 mg*
>
> *5 mg oxycodone HCl is equivalent to 4.4815 mg oxycodone.
>
> Inactive Ingredients: Microcrystalline cellulose, povidone,
> pregelatinized starch, stearic acid, and
> other ingredients.
>
From the looks of this, oxycodone does not appear to be a codeine, but a derivative of thebaine.
On the other hand, here is what was listed about Vicodin (hydrocodone):
>Each tablet contains: hydrocodone bitartrate* 5 mg and acetaminophen 500 mg.
>
> Other ingredients include colloidal silicon dioxide, corn starch,
> croscarmelllose sodium, dibasic calcium phosphate, magnesium stearate,
> microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, and stearic acid.
>
> Each extra strength tablet contains hydrocodone bitartrate* 7.5 mg and
> acetaminophen 750 mg.
>
> Other ingredients include colloidal silicon dioxide, corn starch,
> croscarmellose sodium, magnesium
> stearate, povidone, and stearic acid.
>
> Hydrocodone bitartrate is an opioid analgesic and antitussive and occurs
> as fine white crystals or as a crystalline powder. It is affected by
> light. The chemical name is:
> 4,5a-epoxy-3-methoxy-17-methylmorphinan-6-one tartrate (1:1) hydrate (2:5).
>
> Acetaminophen, 4'-hydroxyacetanilide, is a nonopiate nonsalicylate
> analgesic and antipyretic which
> occurs as a white odorless crystalline powder possessing a slightly
> bitter taste.
>
> * Warning: May be habit forming
Your comments caught my eye because I know that I cannot take codeine with any positive effects.
Just my thoughts.
Hugs,
Nancy