Experiencing moderate to severe pain after surgery or an accident often leads to being prescribed pain-relieving medication by a doctor. Two of the most common prescription painkillers are oxycodone and hydrocodone. While both are powerful opioid pain relievers, there are a few key differences.

If you’re taking oxycodone, hydrocodone, or any opioid medication and experiencing adverse effects, it’s important to reach out to a medical professional right away. Opioid painkillers can be highly addictive, and you may need the help of our opioid addiction treatment program at Promises Brazos Valley to overcome a substance use disorder (SUD).

Oxycodone vs. Hydrocodone: What to Know

Oxycodone and hydrocodone are both opioid painkillers that interact with opioid receptors in the brain to alter the way your body perceives pain, ultimately alleviating your discomfort. However, they both also induce a sense of euphoria, which can lead to opioid abuse in some. As far as the differences between oxycodone vs. hydrocodone, consider the following:

Oxycodone is derived from thebaine, while hydrocodone is made from codeine. Thebaine and codeine are both extracted from the poppy plant, but they come from different parts.
Oxycodone is considered to be stronger than hydrocodone, so a smaller dose of this medication is needed to achieve the same pain-relieving benefits.
Oxycodone is often prescribed on its own, although sometimes combined with acetaminophen. Hydrocodone is often prescribed in combination with acetaminophen or ibuprofen, such as Tylenol with codeine.

Since both medications are potent and have addictive properties, healthcare providers typically only prescribe them in cases of pain that can’t be managed by over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers alone. Someone recovering from surgery or an accident or who’s dealing with chronic pain from a health condition like cancer may require the more powerful pain-relieving benefits of opioids. Each individual responds to these medications differently, so your doctor will carefully determine which dosage is suitable for your situation.

To minimize the risk of opioid abuse or addiction and other adverse effects, it’s vital to follow your doctor’s orders precisely.

The Dangers of Opioid Abuse

When used as directed by your doctor, opioids can be relatively safe and make a world of difference in managing pain. However, the intense euphoria experienced by opioids like oxycodone and hydrocodone can tempt people to misuse them. This can include:

Taking more pills than prescribed
Taking opioids more frequently than advised
Using opioids when not experiencing pain just for the euphoric effects

Using opioids in this way can eventually increase your tolerance to your prescribed dosage. This means you’ll need a larger dose to achieve the same level of pain relief. In addition, opioid abuse can result in the following.

Health Complications

Long-term opioid abuse can damage vital organs like your liver and kidneys and impair your immune function, so you may become sick more easily and frequently.

Addiction

Chronic opioid use leads to changes in the brain, prompting cravings for opioids and undesirable withdrawal symptoms when not taking the drug.

Withdrawal Symptoms

If you become dependent on opioids, you may feel nauseous, irritable, anxious, and depressed when you try to quit or cut back on your dose. Withdrawal can also interfere with your sleep and digestive function, leading to insomnia and constipation.

Overdose

Taking higher doses of opioids can cause respiratory depression, coma, and even death.

Connect with Promises Brazos Valley and Get Help for Overcoming Prescription Painkiller Addiction

At Promises Brazos Valley, we understand how difficult it can be to manage chronic pain, especially when the usual over-the-counter medications don’t provide adequate relief. While opioid painkillers serve an essential purpose in pain management, they can also lead to addiction in many. We’re here to help you break free from opioid dependence and find safer, healthier ways to manage your symptoms. To find out more about opioid addiction treatment at our Texas location, fill out our online form or call 979.426.0086 today.