[DaveLpn]

Im a nurse and this question goes round and round at the office. The concencus is; oxycodone is IR or "fast acting" and oxycontin is ER/SR "long acting". Basically the same drug, but saying this out loud has caused some heated agruments from fellow nurses and patients. Anyone have a simple answer?

[Cats Meow]

Oxycodone IR and ER are both the same drug, both synthesized from the Thebaine, but Oxycontin has a unique patented formulation, it's structural molecule is different then that of say Roxicodone, the main thing that differentiates it is the addition of HCL.

Oxycodone's formula is C18 H21 NO4

Oxycontin's is C18 H21 NO4 HCL (known as 4, 5-Epoxy-14hydroxy-3methoxy-17methylmorphinan-6-one hydrochloride).

Tell them to look at the different shape of the molecules if they don't believe you.

[DaveLpn]

thanks for the responce, I can't help but notice that you have 4500+ posts, WOW. What's up with that?

Dave

[Cats Meow]

Mostly because I've been identifying pills here for years.