What's the Difference Between OxyContin and Oxycodone?
OxyContin and oxycodone are similar sounding enough to confuse. Are they related? Is one worse than the other?
In this article, we’ll discuss the difference between OxyContin and oxycodone.
What is Oxycodone?
Oxycodone is a short-acting, semi-synthetic opioid painkiller. Because it’s short-acting, it’s required to be taken every 4-6 hours. It’s also the generic name for several prescription painkillers. Percocet is the most well-known brand name of oxycodone.
Oxycodone is used to treat pain after operations, serious injuries, or advanced cancer cases. It’s only meant to be used for a short time. That’s because oxycodone is a Schedule II substance meaning the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recognizes the possibility of addiction.
What is OxyContin?
OxyContin is also an opioid painkiller. However, it’s a controlled-release substance, which means the effects last quite while. It’s meant to be taken once every 12 hours when prescribed.
OxyContin is used in cases of severe pain from injuries, arthritis, cancer, and chronic issues.
How are OxyContin and Oxycodone Similar?
OxyContin and oxycodone are the same drugs. OxyContin is the brand name for the long-release form of oxycodone.
Because they’re the same substance, they act the same and produce the same side effects. Opioids release endorphins that affect the reward center of the brain and release dopamine. This is what makes this substance addictive. All opioids are also nervous system depressants, which means they slow your breathing and heart rate.
Some other side effects include:
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Constipation
- Weakness in the limbs
- Slowed reaction time
OxyContin and Oxycodone Have a High Danger of Addiction
Both pain relievers affect the brain's reward system by creating feelings of euphoria while also stopping pain. Because of their highly addictive nature both of these substances are Schedule II drugs.
Opioids are highly addictive. For some, it might not take long before signs of addiction begin to emerge. Signs of addiction to oxycodone include:
- Needing a higher dose to achieve the same effect
- Neglecting personal health
- Taking risky behaviors
- Constantly thinking about your next high
- Feeling unable to stop
When abusing opioids, you could be dangerously close to an overdose. Oxycodone overdose looks like:
- Loss of consciousness
- Limp body
- Cold skin
- Pinpoint pupils
- Dangerously low breathing or heart rated
Prescription drug abuse is dangerous, but beatable. If you’re experiencing substance use disorder, call Sequoia Behavioral Health today. Experiencing withdrawal symptoms is hard, but with medical intervention, your likelihood of recovery is greatly increased.
Read more about prescription drug abuse and what to do if you or a loved one show these signs of addiction.
What is the Difference Between OxyContin and Oxycodone?
Because OxyContin is oxycodone, there isn’t much difference between the two substances. Addiction, treatment, and recovery generally look the same between the two
The main difference between these two opioid medications is the extended-release nature of OxyContin. Because OxyContin is slow-release, it’s considered to be more potent than oxycodone. Doctors recommend extra caution when taking OxyContin.
On the other hand, oxycodone is considered to be less potent and is often combined with other medications like acetaminophen to combat other causes of pain. Although, this doesn’t make it a less addictive substance.
There are more similarities than differences in these two pain medications, you should always reach out to your doctor when seeking information about your prescription.
Treating OxyContin and Oxycodone Addiction
When seeking treatment for oxycodone or OxyContin addiction, the difference between the two is more or less a moot point. Your doctor prescribed one or the other for a reason. However, they both have the potential to be addictive, and addiction to either looks rather similar. Treatment will also look very similar.
Medical Intervention
When you are dependent on a drug, your body has adjusted its functions to adapt to the higher levels of dopamine. This is why getting off these drugs can be difficult. Withdrawal is a long and uncomfortable process that might cause a person to go back to the substance.
Medically assisted treatments help to mitigate withdrawal symptoms and improve chances of success. For opioids, treatment facilities typically use suboxone..
During this step in the process, alternative pain management options could be explored.
Inpatient Treatment
Getting checked into a residential addiction treatment will get you access to a lot of resources. Live-in mental health and treatment facilities will address the root cause of the addiction and get you peer support from those in similar situations.
Inpatient treatment at Sequoia Behavioral Health is sympathetic and individualized. Our intimate inpatient facility means everyone gets the compassionate and complete care they need.
Reach out today, and get the help you need and begin to fight the root cause of your addiction.