What is the Difference Between Oxycodone and Hydrocodone?

Oxycodone and hydrocodone belong to analgesics, people use these drugs to reduce pain. However, the two drugs differ in many fields like composition, therapeutic range, effect, and precautions. You will understand the difference between oxycodone and hydrocodone after reading this article.

Firstly, these two drugs differ in composition. Oxycodone is mainly composed of hydrochloride and acetaminophen. Hydrocodone is composed of hydroxycodone hydrochloride and morphine sulfate.

Secondly, these two drugs are applied in different treatment ranges. Oxycodone is applied to treat pains like severe trauma and burns pain while hydrocodone is preferred to treat pains like chronic and postoperative pain.

Finally, it takes different effective times on people. Oxycodone takes effect relatively quickly and usually gets to work within an hour. However, hydrocodone takes longer time to be effective, it might take about two hours.

the difference between oxycodone and hydrocodone: Efficacy

Oxycodone is a strong opioid analgesic drug used to treat cancer pain. It contains 30% short-term and 70% long-term formulations, so it can quickly and continuously control the pain. It mainly exerts moderate analgesic effects by activating opioid receptors in the central nervous system. Besides, It has a cough suppressive function by directly working on the cough core of the medulla oblongata. In addition, It also has sedative and anti-anxiety effects.

Hydrocodone belongs to the third ladder of pain relievers. Its analgesic effect will increase while the dosage gets bigger. It is preferred to treat persistent chronic pain and postoperative pain, and it has the following effects:

1. Analgesia: It can control the transmission of nerve impulses in different places of the central nervous system to achieve analgesic functions. It mainly works by stopping the transmission of pain signals to the brain and reducing painful feelings like postoperative and cancer-related pain.

2. Anti-inflammation: It achieves anti-inflammatory functions by reducing the release of inflammatory mediators, promoting the function of immune cells, and regulating metabolic processes in the body. People preferred to apply it to treat arthritis, soft tissue damage, and other types of inflammatory diseases.

3. Improving sleeping quality: It can help patients fall asleep quickly and improve their sleeping quality.

4. Relieve symptoms of nausea and vomiting: It can reduce symptoms of nausea and vomiting by inhibiting gastrointestinal motility and stimulating endogenous serotonin secretion. Therefore, it has a good therapeutic effect on reducing nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

the difference between oxycodone and hydrocodone: Precaution

People fit the following situations should prohibit or use oxycodone with caution:

1. If the patients are allergic to oxycodone and acetaminophen or they have an allergic constitution, they should not take it. If the patients are experiencing a severe rash, itching, breathing difficulties, etc. after taking it, please inform the doctor ASAP.

2. It is prohibited for pregnant women and infants to use it, because it may cause respiratory depression.

3. Elderly patients with weak health, liver and kidney dysfunction, hypothyroidism, prostate enlargement, and urethral stricture should apply it under the guidance of a doctor.

4. According to the Anti-Doping Regulations, oxycodone is a prohibited substance listed in the doping list, so athletes should use it with caution.

Hydrocodone is rarely applied alone, it is generally applied with other drugs for treating cough or pain. Doctors will match the dosage and combination of medication based on the patient's condition and reaction to the medication. 

When applied together with ethanol, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, sedatives and hypnotics, tricyclic antidepressants, and anesthetics, attention should be paid to enhancing the central inhibitory function. Hydrocodone needs to be used under the doctor’s guidance to avoid drug dependence.

Elderly people, frail patients, and patients with severe damage to liver and kidney function should be cautious when taking this medication. Patients with adrenal cortical dysfunction, prostate enlargement, and urethral infarction should take this medication with caution.

the difference between oxycodone and hydrocodone: Side effects

During the medication period of oxycodone, patients may experience neurological reactions such as drowsiness, tension, insomnia, blurred consciousness, and sensory abnormalities. There are also some gastrointestinal discomfort symptoms such as constipation and nausea. A small number of patients may experience tolerance and dependence after medication.

A few patients taking hydrocodone may have some very serious or even fatal side effects as below.

1. Allergic reactions: such as rash, difficulty breathing, or speech disorders; Swelling of the mouth, face, etc. A few patients may experience allergic reactions such as angioneurotic edema or shock.

2. Signs of liver problems: such as dark urine color, feeling tired, feeling full, stomach discomfort, light stool color, and yellowing of skin or eyes.

3. Signs of kidney problems such as difficulty urinating, decreased urine volume, blood in the urine, or significant weight gain.

Conclusion

This article mainly discusses the difference between oxycodone and hydrocodone. Although they are all drugs used for pain relief, there are differences in composition, treatment scope, and contraindications. Besides, oxycodone itself can be used independently, unlike hydrocortisone, which is always used in combination with other drug components.