Difference Between Hydrocodone and Oxycodone

Both hydrocodone and oxycodone are prescription narcotic pain relievers for pain relief. Although both oxycodone and hydrocodone are chemically similar and have almost similar side effects, there are still many differences between the two. Oxycodone is about 5 times more potent compared to hydrocodone and is therefore recommended for severe pain. Both drugs maintain pain for about 4 to 6 hours on average. Both drugs take between 30 and 60 minutes to work against pain. Oxycodone has an immediate-release version that provides pain relief in 10 to 15 minutes, while hydrocodone does not have an immediate-release version. Oxycodone is preferred over hydrocodone for pregnancy pain because it is safer, but neither is the ideal pain reliever for pregnant women. The formula of hydrocodone is C18H21NO3 while that of oxycodone is C18H21NO4. The half-life of hydrocodone is 3.8 to 6 hours, while the half-life of oxycodone is approximately 3 to 4.5 hours. Hydrocodone is cheaper than oxycodone.

What is hydrocodone?

Hydrocodne is a narcotic pain reliever prescribed by doctors to relieve pain. In the drug classification, some of the hydrocodone drugs are included in the Schedule III classification. The formula for hydrocodone is C18H21NO3. Most hydrocodone products are mixed with ibuprofen or other similar chemicals. This is why it has a wide range of side effects and is therefore not recommended for pregnancy pain. The half-life of hydrocodone is 3.8 to 6 hours. It should not be used for normal pain as it has a variety of side effects ie vomiting, nausea, headache, nausea, muscle and back pain, swelling of hands or feet, loss of appetite. It’s a slightly cheaper narcotic.

Oxycodone is a narcotic pain reliever prescribed by doctors to relieve pain. In the drug classification, all oxycodone drugs are included in the Annex II classification. The formula for oxycodone is C18H21NO4. Oxycodone is always available as a stand-alone drug. Oxycodone has an immediate-release version that provides pain relief in 10 to 15 minutes. Oxycodone may be prescribed during pregnancy. The half-life of oxycodone is approximately 3 to 4.5 hours. . It should not be used for normal pain as it has a variety of side effects ie vomiting, nausea, headache, nausea, muscle and back pain, swelling of hands or feet, loss of appetite.

Key differences

1. When used as a pain reliever, oxycodone proves to be stronger compared to hydrocodone.
2. In case of severe pain, oxycodone is recommended while in case of moderate pain, hydrocodone is recommended.
3. In the pharmacy, even the doctor cannot order the oxycodone while on the other hand, hydrocodone can be ordered anywhere even without the doctor’s prescription.
4. In the drug classification, all of the oxycodone drugs are included in the Schedule II classification, while some of the hydrocodone drugs are included in the Schedule III classification.
5. Hydrocodone is available in the market as a combination drug while Oxycodone can be found as a single ingredient drug in the market.
6. Hydrocodone is cheaper than oxycodone.
7. Oxycodone can be prescribed during pregnancy, while hydrocodone cannot be recommended in case of pregnancy.
8. Hydrocodone’s risk of dependence is only moderate, while oxycodone has a moderate to high risk of dependence.
9. The formula of hydrocodone is C18H21NO3 while that of oxycodone is C18H21NO4.
10. The half-life of hydrocodone is 3.8 to 6 hours while that of oxycodone is approximately 3 to 4.5 hours.
11. Oxycodone is available in a long-acting formula and hydrocodone is not.
12. For pregnancy pain, oxycodone is safer compared to hydrocodone.
13. Oxycodone is about 5 times more potent compared to hydrocodone and is therefore recommended for severe pain.
14. The maximum daily dose of oxycodone is 80 mg per day, while that of hydrocodone is 40 mg per day.