Oxycodone vs Hydrocodone

Oxycodone and hydrocodone are drugs ,that are similar in some ways, and different in others. Oxycodone is the stronger of the two drugs and hydrocodone happens to be the generic name of Norco, Lortab and Vicodin another 30 others. Hydrocodone is a narcotic analgesic and being milder of the two,it is also less regulated. It can be habit forming as Vicodin and the others are a combination that consists of hydrocodone and acetaminophen (Tylenol).

Oxycodone too is a narcotic analgesic and can be habit forming as well. It is a combination drug as well as being composed of acetaminophen and oxycodone which is the generic name for Percocet, Tylox, Roxilox. This is very strictly regulated and can be bought only in lieu of a doctor’s prescription. Because of a greater likelihood of abuse and dependency, doctors prefer prescribing Vicodin to Percocet.

Hydrocodone is the active ingredient in the drugs Vicodin and Lortab. They can be either 5 or 7.5 mg sizes. Oxycodone happens to be the active ingredient in Percodan (with Asprin) or Perocet (with Tylenol). It is also available as a standalone medication in the shape of Oxycontin. Another difference is the fact that while Oxycodone can be crushed and mixed with water and injected, the same cannot be done with Hydrocodone. 10 mg of hydrocodone equal 6.67 mg of oxycodone and 10 mg of the later have the same potency as 15 mg of the former.

Oxycodone could also be described as an opioid analgesic medication that is derived from opium based thebaine. It was developed in Germany in 1916, the endeavor began to improve on the existing opiates like morphine, heroin and codeine. Hydrocodene on the other hand is known to be an intermediate strength centrally acting analgesic and a powerful cough suppressant. It was developed in Germany in the year 1920 and found its way into the US and Canada in 1943 under the brand name Hycodan. In the form of a narcotic hydrocodone get rids of pain by attaching itself to opioid receptors in the brain and the spinal cord. Oxycodone on the other hand acts on the k-opioid receptors. It has a variety of side effects including fatigue, dizziness, nausea, lightheartedness, headache, and anxiety and so on. There is also a high chance of a patient getting withdrawal symptoms if the drug is abruptly discontinued.

The side effects associated with hydrocodone are similar. The side effects are  nausea, sweating, drowsiness, constipation, vomiting and so on. In fact the vomiting can be so severe as to necessitate hospitalization. Prolonged usage can also cause loss of hearing in some.
Summary:
1.Hydrocodone contains Vicodin, whereas oxycodone is composed of acetaminophen.
2.Another difference is that while Oxycodone can be crushed and mixed with water and injected, the same cannot be done with Hydrocodone.
3.Oxycodone could also be described as an opioid analgesic medication. Hydrocodene on the other hand is known to be an intermediate strength centrally acting analgesic and a powerful cough suppressant.