Understanding the pain medication is very important before taking any painkillers. Nowadays, most of the doctor prescribes pain-relieving medications that is able to provide long-term relief with least side effects. OxyContin and Vicodin are two opioid medications that is popularly used in USA for treating extreme pain conditions. Both are proven effective for pain management, but can’t be prescribed for the same condition. To know the reason, study OxyContin Vs Vicodin differences in detail. Although they shares some similar characteristics, they differ in some properties.
In this article, you will know about how OxyContin Vs Vicodin differ from each other and their potential side effects, as well as optimal usage. It is important to know all of these for choosing any one from the pill.
Potential Key Differences Of OxyContin Vs Vicodin
Knowing the differences between OxyContin and Vicodin is important to avoid drug interactions as well as overdose symptoms. In terms of efficacy OxyContin and Vicodin don’t have any significant differences they differ in chemical compositions with time duration of working. If you want to get these medicines, then be aware of all it’s effects so that you wouldn’t confused about are OxyContin and Vicodin the same or can I alter OxyContin to Vicodin. Because these are the common questions by patients without the knowledge of the contrasts of OxyContin and Vicodin. Let’s dive into this for a better understanding of their usage.
Clinical Overview of Vicodin and OxyContin
Vicodin and OxyContin are both opioid painkillers commonly used to treat pain from moderate to severe. Although they are used for similar purposes but they are used in different cases. Vicodin is used for dental surgery, injury, or other short-term medical procedures, whereas OxyContin is used in severe, chronic pain condition that requires continuous management, such as cancer-related pain or major post-surgical recovery.
OxyContin is nothing but an extended-release version of Oxycodone. It doesn’t contain any other active ingredient rather than the oxycodone. It is only a form of Oxy pill that slowly releases over time for long-term pain relief. Some people thinks that they are the same, but in practically they are used in different purposes. For more information, research OxyCodone Vs OxyContin differences at newlifemedix.com. OxyContin is a brand name of Oxycodone, and it also has some other brand names such as Percocet, Tylox, and Roxicodone.
On the other side, Vicodin is a form of Hydrocodone that is combined with a substance acetaminophen. I.e, Vicodin contains an opioid hydrocodone and a non-opioid acetaminophen, specially designed to relieve pain as well as reduce fever. Here, acetaminophen works as booster of hydrocodone effects by calming down the neuro effect.
Working of OxyContin and Vicodin
Both pills are categorized as semi-synthetic opioids, and they affect the brain to relieve pain. Both pills work similarly by acting on μ-opioid receptors in the central nervous system. The active ingredient in it binds to the mu-receptor and inhibits the pain signal. It works by decreasing the perception of pain and emotional responses to pain by binding to the receptor.
The difference in working of two pill is in their potential of binding to the receptors. I.e, Vicodin binds to the receptors weakly as compared to OxyContin. For this reason OxyContin have more potential for pain relief than the Vicodin.
Consequential Difference in OxyContin Vs Vicodin
Knowing the key differences of two pill is essential for using them in the appropriate conditions. When the patient is suffering from any pain conditions, it is most important work of the physician to know the real cause and prescribing them the right medicine. If you want to use either OxyContin or Vicodin then you should know their contrasts in composition, characteristics, and uses also. Let’s know it below:
- The major difference in OxyContin and Vicodin is their contrasts in active components. These pills OxyContin and Vicodin contain Oxycodone and Hydrocodone as active ingredients.
- Both are opioids, in which OxyContin contains Oxycodone and Vicodin is composed of Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen. Additionally, Vicodin reduces temperature to the patient.
- In terms of potentiality Vicodin seems less potent compared to OxyContin for pain relief.
- OxyContin is available only in extended-release form and Vicodin is available in immediate release for.
- The effects of OxyContin last for a long duration, up to 12 hours, and Vicodin stays active upto 4-8 hours in the body.
- The half-life of OxyContin is also larger than Vicodin that means it stays more than Vicodin in the body. OxyContin has 4-5 hour of half-life, whereas Vicodin has less than 4 hours of half-life.
- Another major difference is OxyContin has more potential to addiction but Vicodin carries a moderate risk of addiction.
Conclusion
From the above scenario, we can conclude that the OxyContin Vs Vicodin difference is very important before using the pill. If you want to buy or prescribed for using these pills then you may confused which one is best. The answer is best choice of the pill depends upon different factors like the condition of the patient, age, metabolism power and any other medical issue. So take the medicine after consulting a physician to avoid any negative effects.