Effective pain management is necessary when a patient is at the peak stage of unbearable pain. Oxycodone and Vicodin are semi-synthetic opioids having analgesic power to reduce severe pain effectively. Both pills are available only through prescription, because they are classified as Schedule II controlled substances. Although both are FDA-approved and clinically proven for safe use, they carries some risk factors. Therefore, it is very important to know in detail about Oxycodone and Vicodin. They have some similar characteristics, for which people mostly confused that is Oxycodone and Vicodin are same? Or Can I use Oxycodone and Vicodin together? To solve this question, let’s explore Oxycodone Vs Vicodin differences in this article. Because the difference between them will clarify the patient, which one is better for them.
Understanding the Basics of Oxycodone Vs Vicodin Differences
Having a basic knowledge of Oxycodone Vs Vicodin Differences will help the patient as well as the healthguide to avoid serious drug interactions. Both have different chemical compositions, so that they differ in the potency of addiction and strength. The differences between the pills will helps to take the appropriate pill, which is right for them. These pills are mostly used and fast selling pill in the USA, for which some wicked people develop its duplicates. To get safe and effective treatment quality of medication is also important. So here you will get to know about how to buy Oxycodone and Vicodin legally.
Overview of Oxycodone and Vicodin Effects
Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic narcotic opioid originated from thebaine, used for reducing mild to chronic pain conditions. When other non-opioids and other lower-dose opioids are unable to relief, then oxycodone is prescribed to cure safely. Oxycodone is available in two different forms, like extended-release and immediate-release forms. These formats are designed for patients’ needs, whether they need long-term or short-term treatment. Here, extended-release(OxyContin) helps to avoid frequent and around-the-clock pain management in individuals. Whereas, Immediate-release Oxycodone is fit for instant relief from chronic pain conditions.
Vicodin is an opioid, but combined with a non-opioid pain reliever additionally, it combined to reduces temperature. Here, Hydrocodone is the opioid, and Acetaminophen, also known as Tylenol reduces fever effectively. You can say it belongs to Opioid analgesic combination, although having a non-opioid. It is primarily used for Dental pain, or injury-related pain when other lower-dose opioids and non-opioids doesn’t work optimally.
Functions of Oxycodone and Vicodin in Body
These pills are generally available in oral tablets, so it is recommended to take them by swallowing. When you take an Oxycodone pill, after it reaching into the blood stream goes to Central nervous system. Mu-receptors are present in the CNS, are the relaxing neurotransmitters. The dissolved oxycodone binding to those receptors controls pain, and mood accordingly. By activating those neurotransmitters, it blocks the pain signal and alters the perception of pain. It calms and relaxes the nerve cells, providing sedation to heal the patient.
Vicodin combines Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen, which gives an opioid as well as fever reductant feature. As like oxycodone, Hydrocodone is also an opioid that reduces pain by binding in the mu-receptor in the brain. Helps to reduce pain and provides calmness without affecting source of pain. Acetaminophen inhibits COX enzymes and reduces fever with overall body pain. Acetaminophen doesn’t affect mu-receptors, but it ultimately increases the effectiveness of that neurotransmitter.
When To Use Oxycodone or Vicodin
Both Opioids are effective for pain management, but their uses are different because they have different properties. Use Oxycodone when the patient has severe chronic pain condition and acetaminophen isn’t recommended due to liver problem. When the patient needs extended-release care for long-term effects up to 12 hours, they can go for Oxycodone. For the opioid-tolerant patient, Oxycodone is mostly recommended due to its few risks potential.
You should take Vicodin when mild or moderate pain management is needed. It provides effective relief for casual pain relief treatment like dental pain, injury, or minor surgery. It has less potent to addiction, so that it is recommended for regular use for a long day. Generic versions of Vicodin are widely available in the market and usually cheaper than the oxycodone, you can choose it for short-term relief rather than the Oxy pill.
Oxycodone Vs Vicodin Comparison: Differences & Risks
People have different reactions to different opioids according to their tolerance and metabolic power. So differentiating Oxycodone and Vicodin is necessary for knowing which one is suit for you. Oxycodone and Vicodin are approximately similar to each other, but used for the different conditions. The dosage of Oxycodone is prescribed to the patient for their different needs. Some serious patient needs a strong dose while some patient needs casual dose. That’s why differentiating the pill is needed for patients safety and avoiding the risk factors. Managing the addiction, liver damage, and their individual interaction to drug matters the most for effectiveness of pill. So, contrasts of the pill will clarify which should suits you more. Let’s discuss those.
- The major difference between the two pills is, they have different compositions. Oxycodone does not contain any other composition; it is a generic semi-synthetic consequence of Thebaine. But Vicodin has a combination drug of hydrocodone and acetaminophen.
- Oxycodone has less potency than the hydrocodone, although Vicodin is mixed with it additionally helps to reduce temperature, but used in moderate pain conditions.
- Oxycodone has a higher potential for addiction and abuse than the Vicodin. Here, Vicodin also has an addiction risk, but lesser than Oxycodone.
- Oxycodone has a different formation that can be effective for up to 12 hours, but Vicodin is shorter acting and needs frequent dosing in a day.
- Vicodin containing Acetaminophen has a high potential to liver damage, but Oxycodone has not that serious impact to liver.
Vicodin and Oxycodone Interactions
When individual pills has not effective to cure the pain, then a question arises: Can you use Oxycodone and Vicodin together? Generally, it is not recommended to use them together, but most of the people use it as off-level in severe pain conditions. Although they are opioids, some people get confused about is oxycodone same as Vicodin. No, both pills are not the same; we differentiate them in above. If you think they are the same and taking them together for more effect, it may adversely affect you. It can cause severe overdose symptoms like drowsiness, Loss of consciousness, Low blood pressure, or coma condition. Doctor may tell you to take them together in a day, when alternating from one to another. Understand the doctor’s word properly, and do not alter the pills on your own; always follow the doctor’s advice.
Sometimes the pill can cause negative effects even if using them individually. Because they are analgesic in nature and directly affect to central nervous system. Careless use and overdose of medicine can cause some side effects, such as
- Sedation
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Lightheadedness
- Dry mouth
- Itching or Rash
- Mood changes
- Respiratory Problem
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)
What are the withdrawal symptoms of Vicodin and Oxycodone?
Withdrawal symptoms can cause due to regular and long use of a medicine. When your body is habituated with Vicodin or Oxycodone and if you suddenly stop taking the pill, then it may cause some unwanted syndromes. Like anxiety to take the pill, excessive sweating, or insomnia at night. Sometimes the patient is not aware of these withdrawal effects, it seems casual to them. But it might life-threatening in case of higher dose use of opioid. So whenever you plan to take the pill or want to stop the pill after some days, do it under the supervision of an experienced physician.
How to detox Vicodin or Oxycodone from body?
Detoxing any opioid is very necessary to wellness of overall health. Oxycodone and Hydrocodone takes more than 4 hours and the extended version of Oxycodone takes almost 12 hours to eliminate from the body. But it is not the complete journey, in different drug test, the composition can be detected for up to a month. So, to speed up the detoxing is necessary to avoid liver issues and other drug interactions. Intake too much water to speed up the detox, the power of pills. Nutrients and sleep are necessary factors to flushing out the pills. So overall, you can conclude that a healthy diet and a doctor’s guidance will help you to speed up the cleanup process of plls in the body.