Oxycodone vs Hydrocodone: Differences and Similarities
What’s Oxycodone
Oxycodone is a semisynthetic, moderately potent opioid synthesized from thebaine, an opioid alkaloid found in the Persian poppy. It is an opiate agonist that is the main active ingredient in a number of narcotic pain medications, including Percocet, OxyContin and Percodan. When taken orally oxycodone is 1.5 times more potent than morphine and commonly used to treat moderate to severe pain.
What’s Hydrocodone 
Hydrocodone is a semisynthetic, moderately potent, orally available opioid synthesized from codeine, one of the opioid alkaloids found in the opium poppy. In combination with acetaminophen, it is widely used for treatment of acute or chronic pain, and in combination with antihistamines or anticholinergics to treat cough.
What’s the Difference Between Oxycodone and Hydrocodone?
Difference Between Oxycodone and Hydrocodone in terms of Use – Hydrocodone is also used to treat moderate to severe pain caused by a chronic condition, injury, surgery and commonly taken in liquid form as an antitussive/cough suppressant. While the approved indication for oxycodone is for relief of cancer pain, trauma pain, or pain due to major surgery.
Difference Between Oxycodone and Hydrocodone in terms of Potency – A study published by PubMed which compared the potency of oral hydrocodone to that of oxycodone reported that it took 50% more hydrocodone to achieve the same degree of pupillary contraction ,and concluded that oral oxycodone is about 50% more potent than hydrocodone.
Difference Between Oxycodone and Hydrocodone in terms of onset of analgesic action – The analgesic or pain relief action of hydrocodone generally begins between 10–30 minutes and lasts about 4–8 hours. Oxycodone in the blood is distributed to skeletal muscle, liver, intestinal tract, lungs, spleen, and brain. While the analgesic action of oxycodone generally begins within 10–15 minutes. The brand OxyContin starts to reduce pain within one hour , this is one of the major difference between oxycodone and oxycontin.
Difference Between Oxycodone and Hydrocodone in Terms of Forms and dosing – In the United Kingdom, oxycodone is available in 10 mg/mL and 50 mg/mL formulation for intramuscular or intravenous administration. Hydrocodone is not available in parenteral or any other non-oral forms. The usual starting dose using immediate release oxycodone tablets is 5 to 30 mg every 4 to 6 hours while several combination products of Hydrocodone are available in a variety of dosage formulations for oral administration.
Difference Between Oxycodone and Hydrocodone in terms of how long they stay in your system– The elimination half-life of oxycodone is 2- 3 hours while hydrocodone has an average elimination half-life of 3.8 hours. The pain relief effect of hydrocodone will wear off completely within four to six hours. But the drug may still be detected in the saliva for up to 36 hours, in urine for four days, and in the hair for 90 days after the last dose. Oxycodone is detectable in the blood within 15 to 30 minutes of dosage and can be detected for about 1 day.
Difference Between Oxycodone and Hydrocodone in terms of Side Effects
Although the two drug produce similar side effects, hydrocodone is more likely to cause constipation and stomach pain while Oxycodone is more likely to cause side effects such as dizziness and drowsiness, as well as fatigue, headaches, and feelings of euphoria..
What’s the Similarity Between Oxycodone and Hydrocodone
Similarity Between Oxycodone and Hydrocodone in terms of use –Oxycodone and hydrocodone are both used to treat moderate to severe pain and both are used to relieve surgery pain . You cannot take both medications if you have kidney disease, liver disease or if you are pregnant. In addition, drinking alcohol while taking either medications can produce extreme dizziness or drowsiness and damage to the liver.
Similarity Between Oxycodone and Hydrocodone In terms of Potency- Both Oxycodone and Hydrocodone are modererately potent semi synthetic opiods .A study which compared the potency of oxycodone and hydrocodone in emergency medcine using patients with fractures reported that an equal amount of either drug provided about the same degree of pain relief.
Similarity Between Oxycodone and Hydrocodone in terms of onset of analgesic action –The analgesic action of both Oxycodone and Hydrocodone kicks in within one hour.
Similarity Between Oxycodone and Hydrocodone in terms of forms and dosing – Oxycodone and hydrocodone are available as single-ingredient medications (Oxycontin and Hysingla ER) in immediate release and controlled release oral formulations.
Similarity Between Oxycodone and Hydrocodone in terms of how long they stay in your system– Both Oxycodone and hydrocodone act by binding to proteins called opiate receptors that are in the spinal cord, brainstem, and limbic system and can be detected in your urine for up to 3 to 4 days and in your hair for up to 90 days.
Similarity Between Oxycodone and Hydrocodone in terms of side effects –Both oxycodone and hydrocodone produce side effects such as; shallow or light breathing, vomiting, drowsiness, lethargy, dry mouth, itching, motor skill impairment, dizziness and nausea. SEE: How to Spot Fake M30 Blue Oxycodone Pills
Which is stronger oxycodone or hydrocodone ?
A study published by PubMed which compared the potency of oral hydrocodone to that of oxycodone reported that it took 50% more hydrocodone to achieve the same degree of pupillary contraction and concluded that oral oxycodone is about 50% more potent than hydrocodone.
Oxycodone vs Hydrocodone Addiction
Oxycodone and Hydrocodone can be habit forming, especially with prolonged use. The level of abuse of prescription opioids around the world has risen drastically in the past 15 years, and the two major culprits are oxycodone and hydrocodone which accounts for a whopping 75% of preferred drugs by people dependent on opioids. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 18,000 died in the US from prescription opioid pain relievers in a single year. Although oxycodone has a higher addiction tendency, if you are addicted to oxycodone, hydrocodone or any other opioid seek help immediately. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD How to Overcome Addiction PDF
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