ok I take oxycodone/ Percocet and have for several years, I have never been able to take hydrocodone or loratabs because I have a highly allergic reaction to codeine. I had to go to a pain management doctor because the government has changed the schedule of the drug and my dr is not able to write out my prescription for me now, so taking every bottle of medicine I take to him and sitting them on his desk he reads them and says to me " there is NO WAY you can be able to take this medicine if you are allergic to codeine!" I have been taking them with no problems and they do not make me sick or give me a allergic reaction in any way. and never have! He then tells me that he will find something else to take for my pain, which I don't want to switch my medicine, I am very scared of not being in control of my surroundings and am used to what I take now. He also told me that he will not lose his license for giving me a medicine im allergic too! so if any other person out there knows what I am going through or can give me some information to prove to him in writing that there is NOT CODEINE IN PERCOCET OR OXYCODONE, and that I am able to take this medicine with no problem, which I have been doing for years!! It will be very much appreciated
If I am allergic to CODEINE, but perscribed oxycodone/ percocet am I able to take this medicine?
Question posted by ineedurhelp on 12 Nov 2014
Last updated on 2 November 2023 by c-pain-8
6 Answers
Sorry, but I won't be able to help much with your question, because I'm in the same exact situation.
When you try to explain it to a doctor, they act like you're lieing, just made it up, or just plain stupid.
Doctors just don't seem to listen, and they want to treat everyone the same. We're not all the same,
we're all completely different. Thanks for posting your question, I'll be watching for more answers,
Hopefully, ones that actually address the question.
Both oxycodone and codeine are opioids and have a similar chemical structure. This means that your body may react to them in the same way, including an allergic reaction. I would suggest that you should check with your Doctor, and or Pharmacist, especially if your allergic reaction to codeine is serious - best to err on the side of safety!
I would like to add to your question and address an issue taking oxycodone it is highly addictive if you are seeing a doctor that does not specialize in pain management I am concerned for you and what will happen if he decides to stop ordering that medicine for you or you don't like how it makes you feel or you start having some VERY unpleasant side effects constipation dizziness can't sleep etc. you can go to drug.com and see all the side effects and have to come off the medication it is a HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE especially if the Dr you are seeing doesn't have experience prescribing the medication but more importantly how to manage you coming off that specific medication do yourself a great favor and think twice before using it most doctors today because of the opioid problem won't even order it. Best of luck
Just last week 05/03/23 I was told by my pain management doctor who prescribed oxycodone for me that there is no codeine in oxycodone. I am also allergic to codeine. Since this is his specialty he should also know there is no codeine in oxycodone. Is he new to pain management?
It's true, there is none and if the Dr prescribed it fully aware of your allergy, and you question his/her competency, I would have you get a more descriptive response from him. Having confidence in your provider will quell your anxieties, whereas erroneous conjecture from folks who do not know your complete medical history (that is, anyone other than you physician) may only increase your anxiety. Make sense?
Codeine and oxycodone are not in the same family. What the heck is his problem?
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic opioid synthesized from poppy-derived thebaine. It is a narcotic analgesic generally indicated for relief of moderate to severe pain. codeine isn't even one of the metabolites. If you've been taking them obviously you aren't allergic to them. The only thing they have in common is that they are both opiods. No he won't loose his license for someone having an allergic reaction, he can't know ahead of time that its going to happen. But this is just ridicules. I'd get a letter from the dr who was prescribing it that you have taken it without a problem. Wikipedia does a full breakdown on oxycodone and codeine.
I would find a new dr. He obviously isn't listening to you. Nothing makes me crazier then a dr who won't listen and insists on changing everything.
Pain drs will want to use their "pet" treatment. But they usually discuss things with you, not just blankly refuse for no good reason.
Although oxycodone and hydrocodone are semi-synthetic opioids, they are very similar to codeine. They are all categorized under the SAME chemical class of opioids called phenanthrenes. If one is truly allergic (not pseudoallergic) to a drug in this category, it is best to avoid ALL opioids in this group. Thus, a true allergic reaction to codeine (Tylenol 1-4) would render you highly vulnerable to both oxycodone (Percocet) and hydrocodone (Vicodin). There may be a very slight possibility for a person to be allergic to codeine but not oxycodone/hydrocodone. However, if your body mounts an allergic response, it will most likely be unable to distinguish between the very similar chemical structures.
Furthermore, all opioids are capable of inducing PSEUDOALLERGIC reactions by triggering the release of histamine from mast cells. Developing a mild rash though non-immunologic mechanisms (immunologic involves IgE and accounts for most anaphylaxis) is not common, but does occur. This may add to the confusion patients have regarding "opioid allergies".
I do not want to trivialize any adverse reactions people are experiencing or convince people with true allergies that they don't have one. Many confuse intolerance with severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) warranting discontinued use of opioids in the same class. Tolerance to hydrocodone/oxycodone and having an "allergic reaction" to codeine is most likely due to other factors such as metabolism, dosage, and drug mechanism (via mu, kappa, delta receptors).
Considerations/Alternatives
1) Tramadol does not fit in the standard opioid classes. As an atypical opioid, this unique analgesic is one alternative for TRUE allergies.
2) The codeine and hydrocodone are metabolized by an enzyme called CYP2D6. There are individual and ethnic variables that makes some slow or ultra-rapid metabolizers. This affects the level of analgesia or severity/onset of adverse reactions. Furthermore, certain medications (heart, antidepressants, etc) can affect these drugs. Also worth noting is the fact that oxycodone is metabolized by CYP2D6 (to oxymorphone), but is primarily metabolized by CYP3A4. Researching drug-drug interactions and genetic differences may be beneficial for highly intolerant people.
3) Dosage adjustments might be considered. This is a rough estimate (prodrugs alter this formula).
5mg Oxycodone = 10mg Hydrocodone = 60mg Codeine
Ranges of Prescription Drugs
Codeine in Tylenol 15-60mg
Hydrocodone in Vicodin/Norco 5-10mg
Oxycodone in Percocet 2.5-10mg
You might consider Vicodin (5/500mg) over Percocet (5mg/325mg) due to less opioid activity and more aspirin
1. Yes, they are of the same family. Allergic reaction or intolerance to one puts you at risk with oxycodone, hydrocodone, and codeine.
2. Slight differences in the semi-synthetic drugs mostly affect the breakdown/metabolism.
3. Not all dosages of percocet, vicodin/norco, and tylenol 1-4 are similar.
4. Each drug acts on different receptors
Basically your doctor is right. BUT the doctor should have given you alternatives/options and explained this better.
Thank God one person has brains, what is with all these people saying they are the same? I have always had a horrible reaction to Lortab or any pain meds with codeine, not officially allergic but needless to say it does nothing for my pain, makes me sick to my stomach and dizzy. I am sure it would be worse in large doses, the only pain medicine I can take without sickness it Percocet and it does NOT contain codeine or I could not take it. It is called ocycodone which leads you to believe it does but it does not or I would be very sick. I also recently found out that they restrict the amount of it that can be prescribed not because of the narcotic but because of the amount of Tylenol in it. Hmm.
The answers were semi-correct. One thing to remember is that all people have different chemistry's so drugs will act differently. That being said, I am extremely allergic to codeine. It suppresses my ability to breathe, headache, nausea, etc. I am able to take Vicodin though in a specific mix of hydrocodone/acetominephin (like 5/50 or something like that). A anesthesiologist explained to me in simple terms that Hydrocodone and codiene are 'chemical cousins' but not directly related. I do still have side effects (I am aware of the need to breathe) with Vicodin when I have to take it but they are not life threatening like they are with codeine. I have never been prescribed percocet though and am afraid to try it.
My concern for you is that a dr trained in pain management should know this stuff so something is wrong with what he is saying to you.
Related topics
lortab, percocet, allergic reactions, pain, codeine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, medicine, prescription, pain management, management
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