Hydrocodone, the active ingredient in drugs like Norco and Vicodin, and oxycodone, the active ingredient in Percocet and OxyContin, are two of the most popular opioid — or narcotic — analgesics prescribed for pain relief. Oxycodone and hydrocodone are prescription pain medications. Both can treat short-term pain caused by an injury or surgery. They may also be used to treat pain that is chronic, or long-term. Despite its high abuse rates among prescription opioid abusers, hydrocodone is viewed as less attractive than oxycodone by active abusers because, unlike many oxycodone products that are 100% oxycodone, hydrocodone is frequently combined with acetaminophen. This can deter users from increasing the dose in order to get high. close What To Expect. Seeking addiction treatment can feel overwhelming. We know the struggle, which is why we're uniquely qualified to help. Your call is confidential, and there's no pressure to commit to treatment until you're ready. I feel like the difference is that hydro is more of a rolling, body-high with a small amount of euphoria. Oxy is a slight body high with A LOT of euphoria, and it lasts less long. Hydro for a night in, Oxy for a night out. Hydrocodone is a narcotic where Oxycodone is an opiate, it's stronger but that is why the lower dose, if your scared but the pill in half and see how it goes, you should be fine though. Taking high doses of these opioids can result in slowed breathing and heart rate, low blood pressure, respiratory arrest, and ultimately death. Dependence and Addiction Both oxycodone and hydrocodone have risks of addiction and dependence that come with using them, even as prescribed. Difference Between Oxycodone and Hydrocodone. (OxyContin) and hydrocodone (Zohydro ER) are strong prescription opioid (narcotic) pain relievers similar to morphine, fentanyl, and methadone.