The first time I was prescribed hydro (Vicodin 5/500),I remember it being described as indicated for the treatment of "mild to moderate" pain. I was suffering from shingles at the time (Ouch!!!) and it helped, but I remembered thinking that such terms as mild and moderate were understatements, as I figured tylenol, or advil, or from my childhood, St. Joseph's orange-flavored chewable aspirin should be enough for "mild" pain.

Oxycodone, hydromorphone, morphine, etc. are indicated for the treatment of "moderate to severe" pain, even though higher doses of hydrocodone can do the trick for such pain, as many of you know.

The Russians probably use codeine, morphine or heroin for moderate to severe pain.