Doctors may prescribe either oxycodone or hydrocodone for people who experience moderate-to-severe pain. These people may include individuals who have injuries, cancer , or chronic pain , as well as those recovering from surgery.
Both drugs are available in extended-release forms, which are suitable for people who have taken opioids for at least a week and have pain that requires treatment on an ongoing basis.
Opioids can interact with other drugs, and they are also highly addictive. As such, they are not suitable for everyone. People should avoid taking them if they have a history of substance abuse or are taking medications that may interact with opioid medications.
Oxycodone and hydrocodone both belong to a class of medications called opioid analgesics. These medications work by affecting how the brain and central nervous system process pain signals. Opioid analgesics are Schedule II drugs, which means that they are medically useful but have a high potential for abuse. As such, they are available strictly via prescription only. A person typically takes extended-release oxycodone every 12 hours with food, whereas they will usually take extended-release hydrocodone once daily , at about the same time each day.
A person should not crush, chop, soak, or otherwise tamper with extended-release tablets before taking them. These medications are highly addictive, and stopping them suddenly could lead to symptoms of withdrawal. Many people believe oxycodone to be a better pain reliever than hydrocodone. A study set out to compare the effectiveness of an oxycodone and acetaminophen drug combination with that of a hydrocodone and acetaminophen drug combination.
The study found no significant differences between the two drug combinations with regard to treating acute musculoskeletal pain.
Both oxycodone and hydrocodone are effective in reducing pain sensations. However, they will not address the underlying cause of the pain. Due to the risks of dependence and addiction, many experts recommend exploring other pain options before taking opioids.
Some possible side effects of these medications include :. Research has shown that oxycodone-acetaminophen combinations are more likely than hydrocodone-acetaminophen combinations to induce nausea and dizziness.
People who take any opioid medication for a significant amount of time may experience drug tolerance. This effect means that a person needs to take increasing amounts of a medication for it to achieve the same effect.
Tolerance increases the risk of substance abuse. People who stop taking an opioid drug may experience withdrawal, especially if they have been taking high doses of the drug or have been taking it for an extended period.
Withdrawal occurs because the body is learning to adjust to the absence of opioids in its system. Some potential symptoms of opioid withdrawal include:. Hydrocodone and oxycodone can interact with many different drugs, including some medications belonging to the following groups:. Opioid medications also interact with alcohol and some recreational drugs, as well as certain supplements. To avoid the risk of drug interactions, a person should provide their doctor with detailed information about all of the prescription medications and over-the-counter OTC supplements that they are taking.
These side effects include:. Oxycodone is more likely to cause side effects of dizziness and drowsiness, as well as fatigue, headaches, and feelings of euphoria. Hydrocodone is more likely to cause constipation and stomach pain. People who have asthma or breathing difficulties may need to avoid these pain medications entirely.
Also, because of the risk of increased constipation, people who have blockages or difficulty with constipation may not want to take oxycodone or hydrocodone. These drugs can make these conditions worse.
The combination of alcohol and painkillers can cause extreme dizziness or drowsiness. The combination can also damage your liver. A study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that there was an association between opioid treatment and certain birth defects. Also, some of the side effects of the medication could cause problems for you while you are pregnant. These side effects include behavior changes, difficulty breathing, constipation, and lightheadedness.
They can pass through breast milk and harm your baby. Even at low levels and when taken exactly as prescribed, these medications can be habit-forming. Misuse of these narcotics can lead to addiction, poisoning, overdose, or even death. Both hydrocodone and oxycodone are effective at easing acute and chronic pain. They both cause very similar side effects. The differences between the two drugs are minimal, so the best way to pick which drug is right for you is by having a conversation with your doctor.
Based on your personal medical history, your doctor can weigh the pros and cons of the two medications. Some researchers and medical professionals find that hydrocodone is less powerful compared to oxycodone. In that case, your doctor may prefer to start you on a smaller dose to see how your body handles the medication.
The list of opioids is long. Learn their forms, factors used in choosing them, and tips for taking them safely. Vicodin and Percocet are two powerful painkillers prescribed for short-term pain relief. See how the two compare and learn about their differences. OxyContin is the extended-release form of oxycodone.
Codeine and hydrocodone both treat pain, but one may be better suited for you depending on the severity of your pain. To avoid the side effects and possible toxicity of medications, you might turn to natural painkillers instead. Check out these five surprising options.
Opioid addiction can cause serious health issues and can lead to death. Read more on addiction and how to quit. Learn about the most addictive prescription drugs, including Adderall and Xanax.
You can experience withdrawal symptoms after minimal use of opioids or opiates, and prolonged use can cause severe symptoms. Get the facts about…. The painkiller hydrocodone is a key ingredient in Vicodin. Exclusion criteria included a history of chronic pain, previous narcotic abuse, or current use of opioid pain medications. Individuals masked to treatment group assignment assessed outcomes using a standard validated pain scoring tool two hours after the study medication was given and approximately 24 hours after emergency department discharge.
Using intention-to-treat analyses, no significant group differences occurred in mean pain score reduction between baseline and follow-up. All patients were also equally satisfied with their analgesic management.
Acad Emerg Medicine. Already a member or subscriber? Log in. Interested in AAFP membership? Learn more. POEMs patient-oriented evidence that matters are provided by EssentialEvidence Plus, a point-of-care clinical decision support system published by Wiley-Blackwell.
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