The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classifies each drug according to how dangerous it is. Vicodin and similar hydrocodone pills were placed in a lower category than painkillers made from another opioid, oxycodone, even though there was little practical difference. That created a perception among some doctors that hydrocodone was more effective than over-the-counter medicines but safer than oxycodone and so a natural first stop for prescribing. The classification also allowed doctors to write scripts for a supply of up to six months and renew prescriptions by phone. Vicodin rapidly
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