I used vicodin recently due to a herniated disc.
I found it worked better than the codeine. The codeine made me too drowsy, and it didn't penetrate the pain as effectively. Vicodin worked much better. Interestingly, the label doesn't say don't drink alcohol. It merely says alcohol may increase the unwanted side effect of drowsiness. I found that taking my vicodin with a glass of wine or sangria improved the effectiveness. The first few days after my back surgery, I took a vico in the morning with a mo-mo( champagne and OJ) and in the evening with wine. After a few days, I stopped the morning booze. After a week or so, the vicodin use was only occasional. I've still got 6 codeines leftover from a february 2nd 30 ct, and 17 vicodins from a march 20 60 ct. the vicodin does give me a bit of a headache. never had oxycontin.
I was prescribed Vicodin when I had a toothache. I decided to opt for O-T-C Advil instead.