Hydrocodone and Oxycodone are the two common prescription medicines, which are used to treat short-term and long-term pains in people. These include pains occurring due to cancer, injuries, chronic cough, arthritis, etc. Both medicines play a different role in their treatments. This blog is all about ‘Hydrocodone vs Oxycodone’ to get a brief idea of the difference between Oxycodone and Hydrocodone.
What Is Hydrocodone?
Hydrocodone is a medicine, which is used for the treatment of chronic pain. People use this medicine to treat cough problems. It contains an active ingredient called Dihydrocodeine. Its molecular weight is 299.368 g/mol.
Properties of Hydrocodone Medicine
There are different physical properties of Hydrocodone medicine. These are as follows:
- Hydrocodone drug is soluble in ethanol, chloroform, acetone, ethyl acetate, and water but insoluble in ether.
- The melting and boiling points of Hydrocodone drug are 198 degrees Celsius and 416.45 degrees Celsius, respectively.
- It is a white color medicine.
- The density of Hydrocodone drug is 1.29 g/ml.
- Its refractive index is 1.633.
What Is Oxycodone?
Oxycodone is a medicine, which treats the symptoms of moderate to severe pain. This medicine is used by people suffering from short-term pains. The active ingredient of Oxycodone medicine is Oxycodone Hydrochloride. Its molecular weight is 315.4 g/mol.
Properties of Oxycodone
Oxycodone medicine consists of several physical properties. These include the following:
- The melting and boiling points of Oxycodone drug are 219 degrees Celsius and 451.6 degrees Celsius, respectively.
- It is soluble in ethanol and chloroform but insoluble in water, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and ether.
- The refractive index of the Oxycodone drug is 1.659.
- Its density is 1.39 g/ml.
- It is a white color, oral medicine.
Hydrocodone Vs Oxycodone: Compare The Differences & Similarities
Below are the different comparisons between Hydrocodone and Oxycodone medicines. These are as follows:
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval
Both Hydrocodone, and Oxycodone are approved by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA). Oxycodone is approved in the year 1998.
Brand Names
- Hydrocodone: Hysingla ER is the only brand name of Hydrocodone medicine.
- Oxycodone: The brand names of Oxycodone medicine are ETH-Oxydose, RoxyBond, Dazidox, Xtampza ER, Roxicodone, Oxyfast, Oxycontin, Endocodone etc.
Dosages Of Hydrocodone & Oxycodone
Both medicines are available in different forms, and different dosages.
Hydrocodone Dosages
Hydrocodone medicine consists of several dosages for the treatment of severe pain in adults and children. These dosages are available in the form of extended-release tablets and capsules.
Mainly Hydrocodone available in 10-325 mg, 10-500 mg, 10-650 mg, 10-660 mg, and 5-325 mg.
Oxycodone Dosages
The dosages are available in the form of extended-release tablets, oral capsules, oral tablets, and oral solutions, which treat moderate to severe pain in adults and children.
The dosage strength of oral capsules is 5mg. The extended-release dosage strengths are 5mg, 10mg, 15mg, 7.5mg, 20mg, 9mg, and 13.5mg. The dosage strengths of oral tablets are Oxycodone 80mg, 60 mg, 40 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, 5 mg, and 15 mg. The dosage strength of the oral solution is 1mg/ml, and in oral concentrate, it is available in 20mg/ml.
Functions
Both work differently in the body for pain. Know how?
How Does Hydrocodone Work?
The function of Hydrocodone medicine is to protect the brain and spinal cord of patients suffering from long-term pain. This medicine works as an opioid receptor in the brain.
How Does Oxycodone Work?
Oxycodone medicine controls the central part of the nervous system from being affected by severe pain. This improves the quality of life of the patients.
Half-life
The half-life of Hydrocodone medicine is 8 hours. And Oxycodone’s half-life is 5.6 hours in the human body.
Interaction With Medicinal Drugs
| Drug Interaction Of Hydrocodone & Oxycodone | |
|---|---|
| Hydrocodone | Biperiden, Bismuth Subgallate, Butorphanol, Bosentan, Alfentanil, Aldesleukin, Aripiprazole, Brigatinib, Cariprazine, Cyproheptadine, Doxazosin, Quinapril, Pyrilamine etc |
| Oxycodone | Mosunetuzumab, Metaclopramide, Meclizine, Oritavancin, Oxybutynin, Ondansetron, Osilodrostat, Phenytoin, Phenobarbital, Phenoxybenzamine, Somatrem, Solifenacin etc |
Side Effects
Drugs show side effects because of improper use of the medicine, and other medical conditions of the patient. Hydrocodone and Oxycodone also cause common and severe side effects.
Hydrocodone
The side effects of Hydrocodone drug are as follows:
- Swallowing and breathing problems
- Depression
- Fever
- Ear problems
- Unusual weakness
- Skin rash or darkening
- Fast heartbeat
- Lower back pain
- Swelling of the hands, feet, lower legs, hands or arms
- Sore throat
- Diarrhea
Oxycodone
Oxycodone drug causes many side effects in people. These include the following:
- Muscle cramps
- Chest pain
- Headache
- Stomach pain
- Vision problem
- Dryness in mouth
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Increase in the rate of heartbeat
- Increased thirst
- Light-headedness
Conclusion
This blog explains the comparison between two medicines, which are Hydrocodone and Oxycodone. These medicines consist of different dosages and ingredients for the treatment of short-term and long-term pain in patients.
These medicines also cause side effects in individuals. Do not take Hydrocodone or Oxycodone medicine without consulting a doctor.