What is the difference between Hydrocodone and Oxycodone?

2 Jul 2006

Also if anyone knows could you tell me the simlarities and differences between those two and codeine as well. Thanks!

2 Jul 2006

and one more thing... Does anyone know if any drug companies plan to come out with a extended release version of the drug hydrocodone and why hasn't one been put out already. Anyone know? thanks

2 Jul 2006

Well hydrocodone is a strong pain med, but Oxy is much, much stronger. Oxy is even stronger than Morphine on a two to three basis, so if you were taking say Oxy 20mgs Controlled Release, a generic version of Oxycontin, and you have to switch to Morphine, you have to take 30mgs of the Controlled Release morphine to hit and equivelent dosage. Hydrocodone has the same conversion rate, so the Oxy is much stronger.

As to the time released issues, well I am not sure, it is possible that it is harder to control the release of Hydro, so that may be why it is not available in a controlled release form yet.

2 Jul 2006

My feeling is, if the drug company's made hydrocodone any stronger the FDA would classify it as schedule 2 where as hydro is schedule 3 and doesn't have as strict prescribing and dispensing regs. I believe this is why we will never see hydro in a pure form, better we damage our livers with acetaminophen.

3 Jul 2006

Cats, it is available now with Ibuprofen, instead of just Acetaminophen. In the past few months they released several including Vicoprofen.

3 Jul 2006

Yes, I knew that Zippys', I think it would be good to see the drug companies come out with an even lower dose then 325mg of acetaminophen, say make it 100mg.
I would be interested to know if you think my hypothesis regarding scheduling are plausible?

4 Jul 2006

Well, that really isn't just a hypothesis, it is a fact, the only reason Acetaminophen is in those, is to keep it a lower scheduled drug, there is really no point for the Acetaminophen to be in the drug, it does not augment the efficacy of the drugs it is coupled with or anything.

It has already been tried by various companies, to release a med of just Hydro, the FDA would not approve it, they said it is far to dangerous and addictive, so the only way these companies can keep it on the market is to couple it in a low dose with the other med. Anytime the FDA has had to review it for approval on a higher schedule that have denied it, and refused to let it be put on the market that way.