Oxycodone Use
Oxycodone is a prescription opioid drug. It is a pain medication similar to other opioid drugs such as codeine and morphine. With that said, oxycodone is found in several other products. It is often used in combination with other drugs such as Percocet and Endocet.
While oxycodone is often used with other products, it can be used on its own as well as in immediate-release products.
Oxycodone is most commonly used for things such as post-surgery recovery, broken bones, consistent pain, and cancer-related pain due to its powerful ability to relieve pain. It is usually prescribed by physicians in tablet form to be taken orally.
Essentially, this drug acts on the central nervous system, which is what aids in pain relief. Like other opioids, oxycodone produces euphoric effects. This is achieved by the drug affecting the opioid receptors in the brain and the nervous system. Ultimately, the drug blocks pain signals and releases Dopamine, resulting in a feeling of pleasure.
Side Effects
For individuals who have been prescribed oxycodone or are considering discussing this drug with their doctor, it’s important to know the potential side effects of this drug. Here are a few side effects to consider.
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- A general feeling of discomfort
- A general feeling of weakness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Low blood pressure
Side effects that are less common
- An allergic reaction (rash, itching hive, or swelling)
- Breathing difficulties
- Feeling faint or light-headed
- Confusion
- Trouble urinating or changes in the amount of urine
For those experiencing any of these symptoms while taking this drug, be sure to discuss these symptoms with a trusted doctor.
What is Oxycodone Used For?
Oxycodone is prescribed by physicians to relieve moderate to severe pain. It’s important to note that while physicians will usually prescribe this drug as an immediate-release tablet or capsule, there are times when they will offer it in an extended-release form.
Oxycodone extended-release tablets and capsules are used to treat severe pain in people who are expected to need pain medication on a continuous basis. With that said, extended-release tablets are designed to only be used on individuals who are tolerant to opioid medications.
Using the Medicine
Oxycodone comes in several forms. Here are 6 ways that individuals can receive this drug.
- Immediate-release tablet
- Immediate-release capsule
- Extended-release tablet
- Extended-release capsule
- Liquid or concentrated solution
All forms of this drug aside from the extended-release capsule and extended-release tablet are generally taken every 4 to 6 hours with or without food. The extended-release tablets are taken every 12 hours with or without food while the extended-release capsules are taken every 12 hours with food.
Who Shouldn’t Use Oxycodone?
Individuals shouldn’t use this drug if they have severe asthma or breathing problems. In addition, this drug should not be used if an individual has a blockage in their stomach or intestines.
Is Oxycodone an Opiate?
Opiates are natural, mind-altering compounds that are found in opium. Essentially, they are produced naturally from the opium poppy flower. Opiates act the same as an opioid because they attach to the opioid receptors in the brain. With that said, oxycodone is considered an opioid drug.
What is in Oxycodone?
Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic (partially man-made), opioid synthesized from the opiate alkaloid Thebaine. Thebaine is a naturally occurring compound in opium. It is the most toxic of the opium alkaloids but is widely used in the manufacturing of semi-synthetic medications.
Hydrocodone vs Oxycodone
Hydrocodone and oxycodone both belong to the opioid analgesic class. In addition, they are both Schedule II pain medications as labeled by the FDA. This means that these drugs have a high chance of addiction and abuse.
With that said, hydrocodone is most commonly found under the brand name Norco or Vicodin, which contains hydrocodone with generic Tylenol. It is also commonly used in combination with ibuprofen and other cough medications.
Hydrocodone and Oxycodone are effective in relieving pain. In addition, both drugs have similar side effects. However, oxycodone is found to be generally more potent than hydrocodone.
Oxycontin vs Oxycodone
When looking at oxycodone and Oxycontin, both are essentially the same substance. However, there are still some key differences. Oxycodone is an opioid substance, which is the main ingredient in various other pain medications. Oxycontin is a time-release version of oxycodone. This means that Oxycontin will slowly release oxycodone in the body, allowing for bigger gaps between dosages.
Essentially Oxycontin is a specific brand name for pain medication in the opioid class. It is an extended version of oxycodone. This means that users can also expect similar side effects when using Oxycontin.
Percocet vs Oxycodone
Both drugs are pain relievers classified as narcotic analgesics. With that said, Percocet is not oxycodone. However, Percocet does contain oxycodone. Percocet gives relief for about 5 hours while oxycodone lasts for about 12 hours when taken as prescribed. This is because Percocet only contains about 5 milligrams of oxycodone. Percocet also contains acetaminophen, which is a drug found in Tylenol.
When examining the uses of each drug, oxycodone is used to treat moderate to severe pain while Percocet is used to treat moderate to severe pain but can also be used in case of a fever. In addition, Percocet is commonly used to treat breakthrough pain when a long-acting pain drug isn’t providing enough relief.
Tramadol vs Oxycodone
Tramadol is a schedule IV, synthetic pain reliever whereas, oxycodone is labeled as a Schedule II as per the FDA. This means that oxycodone has a higher risk of addiction and abuse when compared to Tramadol.
Tramadol is a prescription opioid analgesic used to treat moderate to severe pain. The potency of the two is significantly different. For reference, oxycodone has 1.5 times the potency of morphine while Tramadol is only a fraction of morphine’s potency.
Oxycodone is a popular opioid drug used to treat mild to severe pain. A physician will generally prescribe oxycodone for situations such as when an individual is recovering from surgery, is experiencing chronic pain, or healing from a broken bone. While oxycodone can be used by itself, it is often used in conjunction with other drugs.
When compared to other drugs, oxycodone is generally more potent. For individuals that are considering oxycodone for pain relief, be sure to talk to a trusted physician that can discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using oxycodone.
Sources:
https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/d00329a1
https://www.deamuseum.org/ccp/opium/history.html