Hydrocodone vs Oxycodone: Which is Better?

Hydrocodone vs Oxycodone: For humans, living with chronic pain can be unbearable in both the conditions which are physically and emotionally. To get relief and comfort from the situation, many doctors prescribe medications like hydrocodone and oxycodone. These both are the types of medications which are used for opioid treatments. Hydrocodone and Oxycodone are both potent (having great power/effect) opioid painkillers with similar effects. If a person is suffering from addiction then they have to take prescriptions from the doctors. Narcotics can be misused but for people who suffer with cancer, chronic pain or if a person is getting recovered from a major surgery, so these medications hydrocodone and oxycodone can give pain relief when other medications don’t work. There are the rehab centers which offer better medications and treatments.

While these medications can effectively manage and treat pain or they are highly addictive and dangerous for the human body. If you or someone you know who is struggling with the same addictions or problem, then these two medications help them a lot. There is a lot of high potential of developing a substance abuse problem which should not be ignored.

Through this blog, you will help to find a better understanding of hydrocodone vs oxycodone, which one is better to use. In this page, we discuss the understanding of hydrocodone and oxycodone as well as their key differences with their features. Moreover we discuss the similarities between both the medications and the side effects of these opioid treatment medications.

What Is Hydrocodone?

Hydrocodone is a prescription semi-synthetic opioid medication which is used to treat moderate to high pain and it is also used for the cough suppressant. It mainly works by binding to opioid receptors in the central nervous system, that changes the brain and body responding time and also for perceiving pain. This medication is synthesized from the poppy plant which is taken orally when used to it.

To increase its effect as the medication, hydrocodone is available combined with acetaminophen. It is usually prescribed in tablets or capsules and it can also be injected for a faster effect. These medications can be incredibly effective in reducing pain so that the hydrocodone has been classified as a schedule II controlled substance in the United States.

What Is Oxycodone?

Oxycodone is also classified under schedule II opioids which effectively binds itself to pain receptors in the central nervous system to mitigate the sensations of pain in the human body. Most people use it with the proper medical supervision. It has a high potential for abuse and addiction which they particularly misuse for recreational purposes. The hydrocodone vs oxycodone strength defines with the variety of formulations, Oxycodone is often considered slightly stronger in terms of pain relief.

These medications come in terms of popular brand names such as Oxycontin and Percocet as well as in immediate release and extended release tablets for fast or long lasting relief. Oxycodone is also available as a liquid solution or texture for intravenous or intramuscular injection which shows some variant availability of these medications.

Which Is Stronger: Oxycodone or Hydrocodone?

If we discuss hydrocodone vs oxycodone which is stronger, it should be. According to medical field information, Oxycodone is generally considered stronger or more effective than Hydrocodone. It means the low power/dose of oxycodone provides a similar pain relief to a higher dose of hydrocodone. It can vary in some cases for any individual which results in acute pain.

You will find a brief understanding about it, which is stronger. Moving ahead we discuss the differences with its key features through which you can find a good understanding about it.

Hydrocodone vs Oxycodone: Differences and Key Features

Hydrocodone vs Oxycodone differences with its key features are the components which are defined below. We discuss its similarities to give you a good understanding of hydrocodone vs oxycodone.

Feature	Hydrocodone	Oxycodone
Potency or efficiency	Hydrocodone is generally considered slightly less potent or efficient than oxycodone.	Oxycodone is considered more potent or efficient than hydrocodone.
Source of Chemical use	It is derived from codeine, which is an opioid medication used to treat mild to moderate pain.	It is derived from thebaine, which means a naturally occurring opiate alkaloid found in opium, similar to morphine with stimulant effects.
Common Formations	This medication is commonly combined with acetaminophen which shows the brand names like Vicodin, Narco, and Lortab.	This medication is available alone for OxyContin or it will be combined with acetaminophen which is also termed as Percocet or aspirin.
Typical Side Effects	It can cause tiredness and constipation in some of the cases which show their side effects.	In this, it is more likely to cause dizziness and nausea which affect the person with its side effects.
Additional Use	It can be used as a cough suppressant which is also termed as antitussive.	It is not typically used as a cough suppressant.

Similarities of Hydrocodone vs Oxycodone

There are some key similarities between Hydrocodone and Oxycodone which are defined as.

• Drug Class: In both the medications, these are semi-synthetic opioids which are classified as schedule II and they are under controlled substances by the DEA, due to their high potential for misuse.
• Administration: Both are available in various forms, like immediate release and extended release with tablets or capsules.
• Use: Mainly they are used for similar purposes, such as managing pain after surgery or conditions like cancer or arthritis.
• Overdose Antidote: The effect of an overdose where the drug can be reserved with naloxone which is also termed Narcan, which is often accessible without prescriptions.
• Common Side Effects: In these medications shared the side effects include nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and shallow breathing which means taking short breath using only upper chest area to breath. If it continues happening then, the slow breathing turns to dangerous levels that can cause death.

Oxycodone and Hydrocodone Side Effects

The side effects that considered the positive effects of taking oxycodone and hydrocodone like pain relief, possibility of negative effects of the drugs which include.

• Irregularities in heartbeat.
• Having dry mouth.
• Hives: means itchy, swollen welts or bumps.
• Problem with Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Problem in taking breath.
• Swelling of face, as well as it include tongue or lips.

Both the drugs have the side effects as well as the good effects which depend on taking the amount of medications. That’s why these medications have to take in the precautions of your doctors or medical specialist.

Which Is Better?

If we talk about which medication is better to use and which has the least side effects then it totally depends on your daily dose or the amount you take on a daily basis. In this page, we distribute it in two scenarios which finds a good understanding on the basis of the patients and for the doctors.

• For the Patient: The drug is neither better definitively, it depends on the choice or on type like severity of pain and it depends how the individual body responds and the formulations used for the Caron treatment centers.
• For Doctors: Physicians choose it based on their specific needs which often balance the potency which refers to efficiency, side effects and the formulations that care in the medical line in which the rehab centers are also available for the medications and help, when any person is required.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we hope you find a good understanding of Hydrocodone vs Oxycodone. In this blog, we discuss their key differences with its features that include the understanding of it and derived the use of having these medications. Taking medications with the precautions with the help of healthcare that include its strongest effect and potency. Moreover we discuss the similarities between both medications that are hydrocodone and oxycodone. For taking the prescriptions from the medical specialist then, doctors suggest taking oxycodone in behalf of hydrocodone because it is stronger.