In the realm of pain management, Oxycodone and Percocet are frequently encountered terms, each playing a pivotal role in alleviating discomfort for individuals facing various health conditions. It is essential to grasp the nuances that distinguish these medications and understand the intricate relationship between them. While the difference between Oxycodone and Percocet might initially seem straightforward, it is crucial to dispel a common misconception—namely, that oxycodone is the same as Percocet. In this exploration of opioid analgesics, the drug experts at our luxury Palm Beach addiction center will delve into the disparities that define two of the most addictive pills in the world, shedding light on their distinct compositions and applications in the realm of pain relief.
What Is Oxycodone?
Oxycodone is an opioid painkiller used to treat moderate to severe pain. Also known by brand names like Xtampza ER, Oxaydo, and Roxicodone, oxycodone is a well-known prescription opioid. Unfortunately, this drug is as addictive as it is effective in treating pain. Like other opioids, taking oxycodone in higher doses than recommended can lead to a euphoric high. People with opioid addictions usually develop a tolerance to these drugs, slowly increasing their dose to the point where they risk an overdose. An oxycodone overdose can lead to respiratory depression and death. Long-term oxycodone abuse most often leads to addiction and increases your risk of overdosing.
What Is Percocet?
Percocet is also a prescription drug that’s made of a combination of acetaminophen and oxycodone. While oxycodone is an opioid, acetaminophen is a less potent pain reliever that works to increase the effects of oxycodone. Therefore, Percocet is also used to alleviate moderate to severe pain. Like oxycodone, Percocet is also a controlled substance that holds the risk of addiction, abuse, and misuse. Percocet is usually only prescribed when pain treatment with non-opioid pain-relieving medication hasn’t worked or hasn’t provided enough pain relief. Additionally, as with an oxycodone addiction, someone with a Percocet addiction may struggle to recover without professional care.
What Is the Difference Between Oxycodone and Percocet?
So, are oxycodone and Percocet the same? No. Just because they produce similar side effects doesn’t mean they’re the same. The difference between Percocet and oxycodone is that oxycodone is a derivative of opium, while Percocet is a combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen. Oxycodone and Percocet work similarly by binding to opioid receptors and blocking pain signals from the body, but Percocet offers an additional level of pain relief because it contains acetaminophen.
Many researchers have compared Percocet vs oxycodone HCL because these drugs work similarly and offer pain relief. Both drugs have also been on the news lately, specifically because they are two of the many substances that have contributed to overdoses and deaths during the opioid epidemic. While Percocet and oxycodone may be different, they can both lead to addiction, produce uncomfortable and life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, and lead to overdose when taken in toxic doses. Neither of these drugs is legal or safe to take without a prescription, and for good reason. If you are taking either of these substances because they’ve been prescribed to you, do so with caution and follow your doctor’s directions.
Is Oxycodone Stronger Than Percocet?
As previously mentioned, it’s critical to understand the differences between oxycodone and Percocet as they are related medications. Oxycodone, being an opioid analgesic, is the main component of many painkillers, such as Percocet.
Oxycodone and acetaminophen (Tylenol) are the two active ingredients in the combination drug known by the brand name Percocet. By itself, oxycodone is a highly effective opioid analgesic. The goal of acetaminophen and magnesium together in Percocet is to increase pain relief by a synergistic effect.
As a result, the amount of oxycodone in Percocet determines its strength. A Percocet tablet, for instance, might be marked 5/325, denoting that it has 5 mg of oxycodone and 325 mg of acetaminophen. In various formulations, the oxycodone to acetaminophen ratio may change.
Ultimately, the opioid ingredient in Percocet is oxycodone, and the concentration of oxycodone in each formulation determines how strong the medication is. This means that the strength of either medication depends on the amount of opioid it contains. Even so, Percocet tends to be more effective in treating pain than oxycodone because it also contains acetaminophen.
