Every year, nearly 100,000 drug overdose deaths occur throughout the U.S. According to the CDC, about 75% of them are opioid overdose deaths.
Opioid abuse has become a huge problem in America in recent years. But it’s worth noting that there are many different types of opioids that have contributed to this major issue.
Hydrocodone and oxycodone are two of the most well-known types of opioids in the country. But despite the fact that most Americans have heard of these opioids, they sometimes get lumped together even though there is a difference between hydrocodone and oxycodone.
Do you know what separates the two? If not, you should take the time to learn about both hydrocodone and oxycodone so that you know what makes them similar and what sets them apart. It’ll help you get a better understanding of oxycodone or hydrocodone addiction if you or a loved one is impacted by it.
Discover what you need to know about the differences between oxycodone vs. hydrocodone below.
What Is Hydrocodone?
Before we begin discussing the difference between hydrocodone and oxycodone, it’s important for you to know what each of these opioids is on an individual level. To start, we’re going to talk more about what hydrocodone is.
Hydrocodone is a prescription drug that belongs to a drug class that’s called opiate analgesics. It’s designed to help relieve severe pain by altering the way in which the brain and the nervous system as a whole respond to pain.
More often than not, hydrocodone is prescribed by doctors in the form of extended-release capsules or tablets that will eliminate the presence of pain for long stretches of time. People will typically be told to take one of these capsules or tablets per day to achieve pain relief for up to 12 hours.
What Is Oxycodone?
Just like hydrocodone, oxycodone is a prescription drug that belongs to a drug class that’s called opiate analgesics. It’s also designed to help relieve pain by adjusting the way in which the brain and the nervous system respond to pain. But it’s often prescribed for moderate to severe pain.
Oxycodone can be prescribed by doctors in a handful of different forms. It’s available in the form of extended-release capsules or tablets like hydrocodone. But you can also find oxycodone in the form of a solution, a concentrated solution, or a regular-strength capsule or tablet that will need to be taken every 4 to 6 hours.
There are also times when oxycodone will be combined with other pain-relieving medications, such as acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen.
What Are the Similarities Between Hydrocodone and Oxycodone?
After hearing about what hydrocodone and oxycodone are, it’s easy to see why they so often get thrown into the same category and sometimes even confused with one another. Since they’re both used to treat pain when over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen aren’t enough, some people will refer to hydrocodone and oxycodone interchangeably.
The lines between hydrocodone and oxycodone will get blurred even further when you consider the other things that make them similar. For example, you’ll usually only be prescribed hydrocodone and oxycodone for short periods of time. They aren’t considered long-term solutions for pain.
You’ll also likely experience many of the same side effects when you’re taking hydrocodone and oxycodone. These side effects include:
- Dry mouth
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Hives
- Itching
- Heartbeat changes
Additionally, you’ll need to be careful about which medications you take with both hydrocodone and oxycodone. You should steer clear of taking any medications that might depress the nervous system when you’re prescribed hydrocodone or oxycodone since using them together could lead to heart problems or even put you in a coma.
Some of the medications you’ll need to avoid when taking hydrocodone and oxycodone are:
- Anti-anxiety medications
- Anti-nausea drugs
- Anti-seizure medications
- Benzodiazepines
- Muscle relaxants
- Sleep aids
You should always provide your primary doctor with information on the medications you’re taking. They’ll be able to help you avoid taking the wrong medications with hydrocodone or oxycodone.
What Is the Difference Between Hydrocodone and Oxycodone?
As you’ve seen so far, there are more than a few things that make hydrocodone and oxycodone similar in nature. But there is a difference between hydrocodone and oxycodone that will need to be on your radar.
While both hydrocodone and oxycodone will relieve pain, you’re likely going to feel different when using one over the other. Most people report feeling tired when they’ve been prescribed hydrocodone. They tend to feel drowsy and/or constipated when they’ve been prescribed oxycodone.
Doctors will also usually take different approaches to prescribing oxycodone vs. hydrocodone. Although oxycodone comes in many forms, people will typically be prescribed the type of oxycodone that will provide pain relief for between 4 to 6 hours before it’ll need to be taken again. With hydrocodone, they’ll likely be prescribed hydrocodone in the form of long-release capsules or tablets to provide long-lasting pain relief.
Why Do You Need to Be Careful When Using Opioids?
If you’re ever prescribed hydrocodone or oxycodone, you will need to be careful about how you take either one. You should follow the instructions your doctor lays out for you and avoid taking more of these opioids than you should.
The problem with both hydrocodone and oxycodone is that, as your body gets used to taking them, you’ll need to start taking higher dosages to get the same results. This is a big part of the reason why opioid abuse has turned into such a big problem in the U.S.
It isn’t uncommon at all for someone to start taking hydrocodone or oxycodone while following their doctor’s orders only to make the decision to increase their dosages themselves to get the pain relief they need. It can eventually lead to a person getting hooked on these opioids and being unable to stop without checking into a rehab center to get help.
What Are the Signs of Opioid Abuse?
If you suspect you or a loved one might be addicted to hydrocodone or oxycodone, you should know about the signs of opioid abuse and what to look out for. It’ll help you identify a drug addiction problem involving these two opioids.
Here are the most common signs of opioid abuse:
- Intense cravings related to opioids like hydrocodone and oxycodone
- Risky behavior revolving around the acquisition of these opioids
- Potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms without opioids
The withdrawal symptoms associated with opioid abuse, in particular, should not be ignored. They can do more damage to your body and mind than using opioids in some cases. They could even put your life in danger if you don’t go through the detox process properly at a trusted drug rehab center.
What Are the Symptoms of an Opioid Overdose?
The vast majority of opioid overdose deaths involve fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. More than 80% of these overdose deaths are connected to these types of opioids as opposed to hydrocodone and oxycodone.
But that doesn’t mean there aren’t also opioid overdose deaths stemming from hydrocodone and oxycodone use. It’s why you should be aware of the symptoms of an opioid overdose if you or a loved one have an addiction to hydrocodone or oxycodone.
Here are several of the common symptoms of an opioid overdose:
- Extreme weakness
- Trouble breathing
- Slow heartbeat
- Cold skin
- Seizures
If you or someone you know ever experiences any of these symptoms while using opioids like hydrocodone and oxycodone, you should seek medical attention ASAP.
What Should You Do If You Have an Opioid Addiction?
If you believe you or a loved one might have an addiction to opioids, you shouldn’t try to quit them cold turkey. The withdrawal symptoms will make it extremely difficult for you to stop using opioids without getting professional help.
Instead, you should search for a great drug rehab center that can help you in your area. Those who live in California will find that a rehab center like Reflections will be one of your best options.
The right rehab center will be able to guide you through the detox process safely. They’ll also be able to come up with a drug addiction treatment plan that will give you every opportunity to successfully stop taking opioids for good.
You’ll be in good hands when you walk through the front door of a rehab center like Reflections. It could help you change your life and provide you with a much brighter future.
Contact Us If You’re Addicted to Opioids
There is a basic difference between hydrocodone and oxycodone. But at the end of the day, both these opioids can do serious damage to you and subject you to so many side effects and withdrawal symptoms if you abuse them.
If you’re having a hard time with opioid abuse, Reflections can set you up with the help you need. We can allow you to get your opioid addiction under control and provide you with the tools you’ll need to beat your addiction once and for all.
Reach out to us today to get more information on our facility.
