Oxycodone vs. Vicodin (hydrocodone/acetaminophen) for pain review. 1  Oxycodone is a strong opioid narcotic pain reliever (analgesic), and Vicodin is a combination of two drugs, hydrocodone (a strong narcotic pain reliever) and acetaminophen (Tylenol). Oxycodone and hydrocodone are similar to other drugs that are opioid narcotics, for example, methadone, fentanyl, and morphine. Both oxycodone and Vicodin are prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain. However, hydrocodone also may prescribed to treat fever, inflammation, and cough.