Oxycodone vs OxyContin

Pharmaceutical companies make a lot of painkillers. Two examples of these are oxycodone and OxyContin. Although these drugs have very similar chemical structures, they aren’t exactly the same. There are several differences between oxycodone vs OxyContin.

First of all, OxyContin is the brand name for a prescription pain pill. It contains an extended-release form of oxycodone, which is otherwise an immediate-release drug. Oxycodone is the generic name for Roxicodone and Oxaydo, and the drug comes in capsules, tablets, and solutions. However, there’s no generic version of OxyContin.

Since these are simply different versions of the same drug, they both belong to the opioid class of drugs. Opioids bind to receptors in the brain and spinal cord. This action prevents your body from transmitting pain signals so that you don’t feel pain.

Generic oxycodone is used for treating moderate to severe pain. For instance, doctors often administer and prescribe it for recent injuries and after surgeries. They tend to reserve OxyContin for long-lasting pain relief for cancers and other chronic diseases. When patients experience severe pain, doctors might use both drugs to relieve their suffering.

However, doctors don’t usually prescribe oxycodone for more than three days because of its potency. In general, they direct patients to take it every four to six hours. They prescribe OxyContin for every 12 hours.

Potential Side Effects

Despite the above differences between oxycodone vs OxyContin, they tend to cause the same side effects. Some of the most common are constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, and nausea. Changes in behavior or mood might also occur. Some people experience insomnia, itchiness, vomiting, and weakness too.

It’s far less common for people to have a severe reaction to oxycodone or OxyContin. Allergic reactions might involve hives, rashes or swelling of the face, tongue or lips. Breathing problems, confusion, and trouble urinating are other severe but rare side effects. If you suffer from any of these, seek immediate medical attention.

Dangers of Taking Oxycodone or OxyContin

Oxycodone and OxyContin are great for treating pain, but they’re addictive like other opioids, such as heroin. It’s possible to crush, cut or open oxycodone capsules or tablets to smoke, snort or inject the drug. Although these practices aren’t possible with OxyContin, abusing the drug is possible by taking high doses. The result is a temporary euphoric high.

You can develop an addiction if you take these drugs in any of the above ways. This abuse can also lead to serious health issues such as organ damage and death.

Learn More in Our Opioid Detox Program

Do you struggle with substance abuse and want to recover? Serenity House Detox in Houston can provide an OxyContin or oxycodone detox program. Our treatment center uses a range of services to give you the care you need, including:

Don’t let your substance abuse problem end your life. Get help at Serenity House Detox and learn more about oxycodone vs OxyContin. Call 866.516.8356 to take the first step toward recovery.

We Stand for Equality - A message from CEO Mark Gold

Amatus stands in solidarity with all of the people across the globe mourning the death of George Floyd and countless others who lost their lives unnecessarily. We are outraged and heartbroken. We support those fighting to combat hate, discrimination, and unfair treatment of our fellow humans. We stand with our staff, our clients, and all those who live in legitimate fear that they and their loved ones may be targeted based on race. We empathize with the anxiety, fatigue, and frustration of the African American community. We acknowledge that these lives matter.

Racism infiltrates every aspect of our lives. We would be remiss not to mention how it impacts the addiction community. Spurred on by The War on Drugs, African Americans and other people of color are often incarcerated for similar practices for which the white population receives treatment.

Nearly 80% of people in federal prison for drug crimes are black and brown people. This is why Amatus supports Drug Abuse Response Team (D.A.R.T.), a program that connects people willing to enter addiction treatment to resources and help to minimize jail time.

We know that dealing with systemic racism, fear of violence, and discrimination is traumatic. We are committed to supporting people in our communities in need of compassion and trauma-informed care. As an ongoing commitment, we will continue to develop meaningful ways to use our voice and resources to support reforming the drug policies that so negatively impact African American communities. In addition, we have set up a Social Justice Scholarship Fund, as a way to provide treatment for individuals who are facing jail time for drug-related offenses.

As a company, Amatus embraces diversity and wholeheartedly believes in the power of inclusion. We acknowledge that we do not have all the answers. We may never be perfect, but we resolve to work to make Amatus the best version of itself. We are dedicated to leading peaceful and positive change in our workplace and across the communities we serve. We have the responsibility to create a culture where there is no place for hate and discrimination.

We take a knee with those who fight oppression and who demand to make our country a more perfect union.

To a brighter future, upward and onward.

Amatus Health