oxycodone vs. hydrocodone

Yeah, that's what I have found on here: oxycodone is about 1.5x the strength of hydrocodone. plus, there is oxycodone IR and ER. I think sometimes in mind doctors may associate percocet (IR) with oxycontin (ER). they think one may lead to another, or they are in the same class, so if possible, they may try to stray away from the immediate relief oxycodone to something that doesn't have as strong ties to something else. does this just sound like a mess, or is it understandable?

I'm a social worker, not a medical professional. All comments and thoughts are simply my opinion and experience.

I'm allergic to vicodin, and when I had a tooth pulled they wouldn't give me oxycodone(percocet), the dentist said it's way stronger than vicodin. He might have been just saying that because I asked for it. The only reason I did was because I had it before and knew I wasn't going to have a swollen tongue and hives. I don't really like oxycodone, (5mg generic for percocet) the ER doctor prescribed it when I had an abscess tooth, makes me nauseous, better than pain though if you lie down.

I just read your comment and when I had a cesarean, the doctor messed up and prescribed me vicodin, he had already left the hospital when I found out. He then went home and didn't want to bother coming back, and he can't call narcotics in to the pharmacy, apparently it's illegal here, so he called Ultram in. Completely worthless. I took it and I was still in so much pain I couldn't walk. I ended up having to drive 30minutes to get a prescription from him the next day.

Yes I to think 5mgs are pretty much good for nuthin unless you take more than one at a time, thats hydros im talkin abt, but the 10 mg, and the 7.5 vicoprofin, and norcos are rite on time. I dont understand why the doctors around here dont prescribe the 7.5 vicoprofins more, unless more people are allergic to ibuprofin maybe? I think my opinion the 7.5 / 200 vicoprofins are even better than the 10mg generic hydro/ tylenol. As far as the ultrams, i have never tried them but it sounds in my opinoin similar to darvocet, or ultracet which are good for a headache but thats abt it. I cant figure out why there a schedule 3 narcotic. Thats funny to me.

I agree with you.  Doctors are so paranoid that they'll be criticized for giving out unnecessary pain medication that they treat Vicodin 5/500s like they were gold or something.  It didn't used to be that way but in the past 6 or 7 years it seems that everyone is ultra conscious about the abuse of pain medication to the point of absurdity. 

Vivationman

And one must consider the cause of pain. 

A typical sinus headache is better treated with anti-infammatory like ibuprofen than with oxycodone alone.

MANY people that suffered for years with pain and tried large doses of all many of concoctions finally found relief with simple gabapentin. 

Opiates or similar medications are not always the best choice.

Actually in some states you can call in Sch 2 med's if the doctor get's it to the pharmacy in a certain amount of hours In wyoming I think it is 72 hrs,but I know in Wy Sch 2's can be called in

Oxycodone is schedule II however hydrocodone is only Schedule II when it is in a compound with less than 80mg acetametaphin or more than 15mg of hydrocodone. All mass produced hydrocodone tablets are schedule III not II. The only way to get Schedule II hydrocodone is from a compounding pharmacy where they make the specific formula for you and put it in a capsule. Oxycodone is said to be 1.5-2 times stronger than hydrocodone.

Hi EMSmel (emt, phar. tech),

Vicodin and generics are Schedule 3 - not 4.

Actually a doctor can prescribe hydrocodone in any dose it just has to be compounded. The highest mass produced hydrocodone compound has 10mg but if it is below 15mg and at least 80mg tylenol it is still schedule III. The scheduling has nothing to do with the amount in the pill because a 5mg percocet is still in schedule II when a 10mg lortab(technically stronger) is still only schedule III. It has to do with abuse potential and oxycodone is 1.5 times stronger. Also you say there is no extended release hydrocodone when Tussionex which is a liquid contains a hydrocodone polystyrex iirc and is an extended release formula although it is a liquid not a pill. And there is a difference between oxy and hydro codone.....oxycodone is 1.5 times stronger so saying there is no difference except for scheduling is completely false. Although they are both semi-synthetic opiates they are different chemicals and different strengths per mg so saying there is no difference is false, dangerous, and misleading information.

Tussionex is 10mg per teaspoon so if you took two tablespoons that would be 60mg of hydrocodone so of course that is going to make a migraine go away. Saying you can not get hydrocodone in more than 10mg or in extended release is a false statement no matter what you choose to believe. Also fentanyl is not a morphine derivative last I checked it is its own fully synthetic opiate. As far as the urinating problem I have noticed that with codones, morphones, and full synthetics. But you will choose to believe whatever you want I guess because your first post did have false statements in it weather you choose to believe it or not. and to answer your question about who here is a chemist....I just ended my sophomore year at college with a major in chemistry....so in two years I will be a chemist...thats at least one person here on this site. Your right it is stupid to argue about the effects of a medicine because everyone is different but saying "they dont make this" or "these two are the same" when the statements are wrong is still false. 

Thx

oh, also - when I told my neurologist about my urination problems, she said "ok, morphine-based meds give you problems urinating, so let's try something different for your migraines" - she was referring to the fentanyl patches.  But again, Thx

I know your last question wasnt addressed to me, but I think I can shed a little light on it for ya.  Hydrocodone is synthesised from Codeine or Thebaine, Oxycodone is usually only synthesised from Thebaine but can be made from Codeine but its a longer process. Both are structually similar to Morphine, but they arent technically "Morphine Based", they are however both made from a substance that is derived from the same plant. When it gets down to the exact differences, its going to be the placement of certain molecules in the chemicals structure that makes a difference. Depending on how the molecule is shaped will make a difference on how well it attachs to the opioid receptors in the brain, I also think it has something to do with how well it passes the blood/brain barrier (both of these factors into potency and duration of effects).

 You would think your doctor would have tried you on something like Demerol or Methadone before Fentanyl, both a pure synthetics but arent nearly as potent as Fentanyl and I think they are both significantly cheaper.

If there is no times release for hydrocodone why is Tussionex RX's one tablespoon every 12 hrs? Just an observation I have been RX'd that some years back

I just know personally, with my experiences I've had to go through since I've had MS, that hydrocodone just works better for me, and gives relief much quicker than oxycodone - that's just from what I've learned in my own, personal experience. 

 I've recently had my neurologist switch me from 20mg oxycodone extended-relief, to 10mg hydrocodone, because I don't drive anymore (due to this disease-thing), and it's a lot easier for me to get my dr to phone in hydrocodone, rather than having to actually go and pick up a written prescription, instead. 

I just keep having new symptoms pop up, it seems like every month.  Now I'm starting to get this pain on the bottom of my feet, as well as a pain that feels like a meat-grinder is inside of my calf bone, just digging the tissue into a pulp.  That's not even to include the daily 'morning-migraines' that I get, seems like about 5 out of every 7 mornings. 

Anyway, just thought I would share my own personal experiences with having to actually use lortab to even get through the day, without being in excruciating pain.  Peace Out -holla

Thats because a percocet 10 is equal to 15mg of lortab not 10. So he went from something higher to a lower dose. 

At any given dosage, hydrocodone has the same analgesic (pain relief) effect as oxycodone. However, oxycodone is the more effective antinoiceptor (attenuating the perception of pain) because it has a greater affinity to certain (mu- and kappa-) opioid receptors. This greater binding strength is responsible for the stronger euphoric experience associated with oxycodone administration, and creates a greater potential for abuse (hence the higher FDA scheduling of oxycodone). A hydroxyl group at C14 is the molecular difference responsible for making oxycodone the stronger agonist for euphoria-mediating opioid receptors.

I agree to this comment 100% specially the ultram part.. that is quite redundant. I have been going to the E.R and my doctor for the past 3 yrs and I was stabbed in my back with a steak knife and had a collapsed lung and was inches away from being paralyzed and/or death.. anyway they gave me demerol when I was in the hospital and naproxen and tramadol to take home and I have been in there once a month since (maybe every other) and they want to prescribe me 800mg ibuprohen and actually pay for it and actually expect it to work..They look @ me and see that im 23 and have tattoos and piercings and think im going to abuse the drugs. Even when I cover up still same results..I got TY3's once and that was the extremity of that.So yes it is amazing how un intelligent the general public really is and our doctors of all people.I could go on for hours on how proud I am of ppl today.

Woodstock how can you say this?  Just because your back belts, 800 mg of ibuprofen, socks, 1 beer at night and what else you deem medically necessary works for you, does not automatically mean it will work for others.  If they do not try your back belt you assume they do not want relief. You judge so many people on here and often offer irrelevant or dangerous suggestions.  But to say anyone with a tattoo doesn't deserve any pain meds is just over the top, even for you.  Some people come here for support.  Others, to know there is someone else in the world that is in or experienced what they may be going thru.   I know you like to joke.  But jokes have there place.  I have read countless threads  that were very serious and you start joking.  When I respond to a post, I always make sure I understand  and often re-read the post before I post.  People get defensive when you doubt or misquote their post.  I am glad you have found the right combo of OTC and scripts that help you.  Many have not.  Many have tried everything at CVS(OTC) and now are desperate for relief. You chime in and tell them to take 800 mg of Motrin.  Thats a slap in the face.  If I feel like someone on here has bad intentions, I just have learned to keep quiet. Sometimes no advice is better than bad advice. Kelly is someone who gives great advice.  She really knows her stuff and is very tactful.  I know if she says it, she has the facts to back it up.  She has done her research. No one wants to be judged.  People with piercing and tattoos deserve to be treated as first class citizens that they are.  

Your post(#37) blew me away.  How can you even say something like that.  A tattoo hurts while its being done.  Thats it.  To say that if a person can tolerate a tattoo then they should be able to tolerate pain is an outright $##@ thing to say.  This was out of line.  How do I expect a doctor to react to someone with tats and piercings?  I expect him to do his job and not judge based on appearance or anything.  Based on your dialect we could all judge you because many people do think that anyone that speaks "hillbilly", as you have called it,  are uneducated.  We don't do that here. 

The difference between hydrocodone and oxycodone is simply a hydroxyl group (oxygen and hydrogen) on the C9 carbon of the morphinan structure. What that means is a big difference between oxycodone and hydrocodone affinity for the mu opiate receptor. Oxycodone is considered a moderate agonist, while hydrocodone is a weak agonist along with codeine and tramadol. The potency difference is around 1.5 to 2 times in favor of oxycodone. Therefore, oxycodone is considered a "stronger" opiate. It is schedule II because of abuse potential. Scheduling of hydrocodone products federally and here in NJ has to do with the amount of non-controlled ingredients in it. Any hydrocodone product with a concentration of greater than 15mg per dose is scheduled II, not III. It is very complex and what not, and schedules can vary from state to state with regards to the stricter legislation being law. Therefore, a drug scheduled as federally 3 can be moved to a schedule II in the state if the board of pharmacy sees a high level of abuse, diversion, etc. Schedule II drugs can be phoned into several states based upon a pharmacist's discretion if he deems that it is an emergency situation where a patient cannot reach his doctor and denial of the drug would cause serious medical consequences. However, they are limited to a 3 day supply max, and the doctor must mail a hard copy prescription to the pharmacy within 7 days or the pharmacist must contact the DEA and notify of a failure to recieve it. Also, I would like to tell people to please not spread misinformation. I know people want to help, or think they know about these things, but alot of times they don't and this misinformation can be harmful or deadly. Case in point, I know of a customer at another pharmacy who was told they could take a friends tramadol for pain even though it wasn't prescribed for her. She asked the friend, and they didn't know she was taking an extremely high dose of prozac and wellbutrin. Well, this combo caused the patient to start having seizures, and she very nearly died. I know everybody wants to help, but unless you are 100 percent sure of what you say, please disclaim those facts beforehand.

philrow- I am so sorry you've had such a bad time with getting pain relief. It literally put a knot in my stomach to read your post. "You're too young to be on pain medications." What the frick is that!?!?!? I mean, would these doctors say that someone who is burned for example doesn't need pain relief because they are young? Would they say that a child who is burned feels it any less than an adult? So why does that mean that we as younger pain patients with the same or even worse ailments as older individuals have are turned away for pain treatment so frequently? What's worse is the younger you are, the more emotional your response to pain is. Of course this tends to subside mostly by late adolescents, but many of us were younger than that when we first started to experience pain or aren't too far beyond that stage of our lives. Why do a few bad apples have to ruin it for the rest of us?

PRICE. (Yes, that was a shout.)

Feliks,

I presume oxycodone is more expensive than hydrocodone? If so, why would that be? It doesn't seem like stronger == more expensive. I think of methadone here, as I hear that it is extremely inexpensive, but I don't know why.

Hi again Kelly,

I think that younger pain patients would require *more* and more comprehensive treatment, including medications if appropriate, than older pain patients because of the greater emotional effect of severe chronic pain in younger patients. Young people -- and I even consider "young people" to be anyone under, say, 35 -- should not have to deal with pain and disability that is almost expected in older age. I just turned 20. Not only do I have to deal with this severe, unrelenting, chronic pain itself, but the injury at the source is a real life-changer and to some degree a life-ruiner. I used to be a very healthy athlete in top shape -- a cyclist, a sprinter and short-distance runner, a weightlifter. I had the physical performance and on-the-water technique that qualified me to apply to trial for the U.S. under-23 national rowing team and I was just starting that process, when some idiot was speeding around in a bend on a college campus and lost control of her car and caused an accident. When I finally found a doctor -- a D.O. -- who acknowledged that I was in pain because of a REAL injury, he examined me and concluded that because of my injury, I now have weakness in significant parts of both legs, extreme inflexibility in my upper legs, hips, and the full range of my back, all in addition to the pain, which has proven to be true. Before even ordering x-rays or MRIs or any other diagnostics, he was able to conclude that I had severe pain and injuries just from physically manipulating me. He is convinced that there are soft tissue problems and subsequent pain all along the length of my back from this car accident that x-rays and MRIs didn't show. So now, my pain doctor -- and M.D. -- who didn't examine me, isn't aware of the full extent of my pain despite my attempts to communicate it, and so in my opinion is undertreating me, is going to cut me off from comprehensive treatment because I'm too young? ha ha.

Anyway, the psychological toll of simply being in pain, the insidious nature of the pain (sometimes I wake up and I feel ok, and I think, "maybe the pain is really gone this time, maybe I'm healed, maybe I'm ok!!" and then I get up and start moving around without taking my meds, and then the pain comes back in full force out of no where and crushes that optimism), and knowing that I cannot be the athlete I once was because I'm in pain, and I'm inflexible and weak in my lower body and hence can't bike, can't run, can't lift, can't row, can't even get out of bed or a chair or bend over sometimes, and this physical inability combined with all of these medications I'm on is transforming my body into something totally unfamiliar and something I don't like. In the process of all of this, I just feel a growing sense of anxiety creeping over me every day, and a feeling of depression worsening each passing day, as I literally lay around unable to do many of the things I once spent all my time happily engaged in. And this doctor is going to cut me off from comprehensive treatment because I'm too young? ha ha. Even with treatment with pain medications, including oxycodone which I much prefer to hydrocodone, my quality of life has decreased significantly. If anything, I feel my doctor should be prescribing more or better medications -- and I say that ONLY because I know that I need to be on medications, even though I HATE that I am in such a position that I have to rely on medication because I don't really have many other options. I can't imagine not having access to any medication at all.

p.s. you like how I tied in oxycodone vs. hydrocodone there at the end? heheh really, sorry for the kinda off topic stuff...

tramadol (ultram) is a schedule 3???  i use to get 50mg from my doc for my carpal tunnal...didnt really help much...they wont give me anything else...darn NY state...they dont give anything for pain...you gotta be pretty much dying to get anything for pain mngment.

edit/g