I have been prescribed 30 milligram oxycodone instant release for years my doctor recently switched me to opana, 10 milligram instant release and told me it would be better for my pain however it does not feel as strong as the 30 milligram oxycodone. Which is the stronger medication and which would be more effective on controlling my lower back pain?
Hospital - What opioid is stronger, 30mg oxycodone ir or 10mg oxymorhone ir?
Question posted by wcrain422 on 24 July 2014
Last updated on 14 January 2019 by tudydo
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14 Answers
tudydo
14 Jan 2019
I took also 30mg of oxycodone; and when hospitalized, my lumbar spine felt as if it were in hard back labor on steroids!! A compassionate doctor came to me and gave me 2 round white pills and said to take them every 6 hours. As quickly as my pain can rise, I felt it literally going down each second. Never before or since have I had such blessed relief! ALL the horrific pain I battle every day was GONE. I later learned it was oxymorphone IMMEDIATE RELEASE. I don't remember the dosage. I can tell you this is the most potent pain reliever I have ever experienced. The extended release form of this is like water off a duck's back for me (Opana). It's a mystery to me why, even in higher doses of the Opana form, it had NO pain relief for me. It sounds like you may have taken the EXTENDED RELEASE version. Double check with your doctor. Opana Extended Release 10mg was one of the doses that did zero for me.
In short: oxymorphone is stronger than oxycodone or hydromorphone. Only complaint: It puts you to sleep. I don't want to spend my life sleeping.
Hope this helps.
edstanley
25 Aug 2017
I was in the trials for Opana ER I was bedridden in my 50's due to an inoperable back issue due to ice skating days.
Anyway Opana ER gave me an active life back as it completely erases the back pain. I've never ever had a problem and am an Active senior again.
However, I've just gotten the news from my MD that Opana is being discontinued. A lot of patients find themselves in my situation. Nothing is coming close to the painfree life I had. I've tried two medications and they don't touch my back pain and I am now sidelined again.
Those that abuse these medications don't care that they were life savers for some of us. The bad apples have now made all of us who benefited from this drug suffer. I guess it wasn't worth all of the issues that are going on now to continue marketing it. I depended on Opana ER to save my lifestyle.
So Sad
Rhiannon0409
9 Nov 2017
If your doctor writes the Rx as oxymorphone 40mg ER, you can still receive, they ONLY took the name brand Opana ER, which has the abuse deterrent coating, which is why it's plastic, but the generic version aka oxymorphone doesn't have abuse deterrent, so even though it's the same compound, because it doesn't have the plastic then tech. it's not a TRUE generic, so that is why we can still get it. Have your doctor write the Rx as oxymorphone and you will be able to get it still indefinitely. Good luck.
Rkhutch07
15 Oct 2018
I was taking Opana er also and they we're having a hard time filling my prescription until my pharmacist found that they make a generic version of it. It's called Oxymorphone ER. Not all pharmacists know that it's out there.
thescirocco
2 June 2017
You should be on 15mg, the doc screwed up the conversion.
bartosh13
4 March 2017
The 30mg oxycodone is stronger. The conversion is .50 thus a 30mg oxycodone is a 15mg opana.
Cortez 66
10 Aug 2016
I need a major lower spine surgery but, two surgeons at kaiser in Fontana California told me that I need two lose 25 pounds I not that fat but they don't want to do it, they told me to start using. Morpnine is this truth.
Kkkkjw
27 Oct 2015
Which pain pill is stronger 30 mg tab or10 mg blue oxycodin
Kamalon0330
24 March 2015
I was put on Opana 40mg er 2x day with 10mg ir for break through pain. I have MS with terrible neuropathy. I was originally on 75mg fentynl patches and the switch was quite easy. One HUGE noticeable difference is if you happen to run out of the Opanas before your next doctors appointment, thd withdrawals from Opana are MUCH LESS than any other opiodss I have ever been on. So to me, that is a HUGE PLUS.
rickbossen
19 March 2015
This one is almost a toss up. I find 15 mg of Oxycodone(roxycodone) = 3mg of Hydromorphone (dilauded). So 30mg Roxy= 6 mg dilauded. Dilauded acts faster, has fewer side effects, and is eliminated more quickly. It is very effective at relieving pain without affecting neural reaction time. You will find yourself taking more dilauded, more often. It can have a manic mood side effect. Best not to take it longer than 3-5 days at 3-4 mg BID.
TMarvel
25 March 2016
He was asking about oxymorphone your on hydromorphone. Two different drugs. A lot of people like hydromorphone but I don't get nearly the relief from pain as I do with oxymorphone. That's just my opinion. I'm on both long and short acting.
Kawasakizx14
4 Aug 2014
Narcotics are different for different people, and you need to be very careful what you read on the internet.
Oxymorphone has a very low bio uptake taken orally and is not for everybody, but at the same time if abused IV is absolutely one of the most deadly drugs there is.
I take a large dose of Oxymorphone daily, IR and ER. This is what my Doctor has prescribed for me at this time and I am getting by, but this drug is not for everybody and extremely dangerous if used incorrectly, I cannot express how dangerous it truly is.
Talk with your Doctor.
John1241
17 Feb 2016
Do you or anyone else posting on this thread experience severe sweats/sweating after taking oxymorphone? I was recently switched from Fentanyl 50mcg every 48 hours and 10 mg x 3 daily oxycodone to 20 mg oxymorphone ER twice daily. The 10mg oxycodone stayed at 3x daily for break through. My sweats are accompanied by chills, tremors and occasional naseau. They can last for an hour to almost constant and are completely debilitating. I was on the Fentanyl first for about 3 months with no side effects, then the above described sweats started, hence the switch to the oxymorphone. The Oxycodone by itself doesn't cause these horrible side effects...
JenniferDugan
27 Oct 2016
I sweat really bad, enough to soak my pillow and clothes at night. In the daytime, I try to wear lighter clothing and limit activities to cooler parts of the house. Haven't experienced much nausea - but I've always had nausea from other reasons.
The medication was like a miracle drug for me the first 2 months, but seemed like it just quit working one day.
mzlloyd2u
6 Nov 2016
I was given oxymorphone 5 mg and it slowed my heart rate drastically, so I wouldn't take it. I was originally taking 4 percocet 10-325 a day. My dr switched it to 90 and gave me 120 oxymorphone. I hated it. Now he won't place me back on the 4 per day. Instead he is giving me 90 perocet and 30 oxycontins. Now I have to get this pre approved through my insurance. I sleep on a heating pad trying to get relief but my back pain radiates to my hip and leg. I have also had 2 brain tumors removed and have severe headaches. Does anyone else have this problem???
Mlevo1011
30 July 2014
Depends on your body and your tolerance. Most people the Oxycodone would be enough while other people would need the Dilaudid.
balbanese
24 July 2014
It will not feel more effective right away, as the effect is not as intense. What's "better" has as lot to do with your individual stats, pathology, age, how long taking one over the other. Keep the Doc informed, if after 7-10 days still not working for you, let the Doc know. Hope this helps.
DzooBaby
24 July 2014
Balbanese is right that what is good for one person may not work at all in another person. Finding good pain control is often not a matter of "what dose is stronger" but rather finding what drug at what dose works well for each individual. This can take a great deal of trial and error and requires good communication between doctor and patient. Be open minded when you try new drugs because whether one is considered "stronger" is really irrelevant. It comes down to what works best for you!
LinnieLu
11 Sep 2015
I have recently been prescribed, Opana 30mg er and Dilaudid 4mg, Opana er for long-acting and Dilaudid for break through. I have tried the Opana if, 5mg and I find it to be much stronger than the dilaudid 4mg which I am presently taking. I agree with balbanese that efficacy and/or reaction to medications is very individual, based on chemistry, weight, etc... Research is always helpful but one must remember that it is all so subjective.
Inactive
24 July 2014
Hello wcrain,
The Opana is better at controlling your pain. The Oxymorphone in Opana is stronger than Oxycodone, but you aren't on an equivalent dose, (if my memory hasn't yet failed me) its twice as strong: it takes 15mgs of Opana to equal 30mg Oxycodone. You are not getting as much pain relief, since you aren't on an equivalent dose.
I hope this helped,
pamee
DzooBaby
24 July 2014
Pain docs almost always reduce slightly for cross tolerance when they change from one opioid to another-this is why I said they are about the same. Yes, 15mg is considered the direct conversion but if you reduce slightly for cross tolerance, 10mg is a better place to start. This patient may need to increase to the 15mg since he doesnt seem to have a lower tolerance for the oxymorphone.
Inactive
24 July 2014
Thank you for mentiong about the reduction. For most Drs this is true at reducing for cross tolerance, unless you've been with the same Dr for many years as myself that knows me and how tolerance works for me so I go straight to the equivalence or a little more :)
DzooBaby
24 July 2014
Yes, my doc does the same with me but we have tried so many drugs and I have not shown any cross tolerance effects either but it can happen. I have seen people very tolerant get snowed under by a reduced dose of another opioid so docs should reduce dose unless they know their patient very well and even then caution should be used when switching opioids with the first few doses, especially the long acting versions because you cant cut them to reduce your dose.
Skittles123
15 Sep 2016
I have had 5 surgeries reconstructing my foot and ankle. I suffer chronic pain daily. It has been 8 years since the injury. I am currently prescribed 60 Opana 20mg ER, and 360 Opana 10 mg IR monthly. I still suffer in pain. My physiatrist increased the IR to 2x10mg every 4 hr, and 1x20mg every 12 hr. Initially I took 60 mg of the ER every 12 hours, but ironically the ER makes me vomit, and the IR does not. Any understanding of why? And any suggestions as to something else that might work? I'm struggling finding a pain management program that works for me. I had been on Norco 10mg for years but was up to 12 a day and still in pain. Adding Gabapentin & Lyrica changed nothing so I stopped those. I'm just very frustrated. My prescriptions run about $3,500 a month but don't do much for me at all.
Skittles123
15 Sep 2016
I have had 5 surgeries reconstructing my foot and ankle. I suffer chronic pain daily. It has been 8 years since the injury. I am currently prescribed 60 Opana 20mg ER, and 360 Opana 10 mg IR monthly. I still suffer in pain. My physiatrist increased the IR to 2x10mg every 4 hr, and 1x20mg every 12 hr. Initially I took 60 mg of the ER every 12 hours, but ironically the ER makes me vomit, and the IR does not. Any understanding of why? And any suggestions as to something else that might work? I'm struggling finding a pain management program that works for me. I had been on Norco 10mg for years but was up to 12 a day and still in pain. Adding Gabapentin & Lyrica changed nothing so I stopped those. I'm just very frustrated. My prescriptions run about $3,500 a month but don't do much for me at all.
DzooBaby
24 July 2014
They are actually about the same strength. Oxymorphone is obviously the stronger drug as you need less mg to do the same work but in a comparison, they are about the same. Are you on a long acting drug? If you have chronic pain, you should be on a long acting drug to manage the bulk of your pain with an IR for breakthrough pain. Taking just an IR drug just chases the pain. You get better "management" if you take a long acting drug around the clock rather than a IR "as needed" Talk to your Dr about adding a long acting drug to your regimen. I take Opana ER (oxymorphone) with oxycodone 30mg for breakthrough and it has been about the best regimen I have used so far and I have tried many medications and many interventions.
ub3rpwncess
30 Oct 2015
Could NOT have said that better myself. Exact same regime as well!
locovemo
2 Dec 2015
Im starting oxy morhine for the 1st
Time tonight.30mlg. What should i expect
I heard it was some strong sh... t
Tmcg71
7 Dec 2015
I have been on oxicodones and oximorphone both to me they both work good together but my choice is oxicodones which i have been on for 10 yrs but ur right i been pulled off the oximorphone for over a yr now and the want to pull me off the oxicodones 30 put me on the 15's and only give me 90 i get 150 now was getting oximorphone 10 90 a month and was getting oxicodones 30 180 a month i am in remission for almost 3 yrs and have defeating bone and joint dease sorry cant spell good lol i got fibmialsa and alot more so if u get both make sure to keep it cuz when the dr's and the sea get a chance they will take it all from u and u will lay there and abt die i know but as far as what the difference is take the oxicodones the with drawl aint as bad
Inactive
22 Jan 2016
Where do you find a doc that generous? I have verifiable 3 herniated discs and vertebrae, sciatica, osteoporosis, arthritis. After years of the same med regimen, new doc wants to cut meds back, claiming irresponsible abusers died. Stereotyping a chronic sufferer is unfair. Then say surgery too risky. I am on the verge of ending the pain... permanently, if I can't get some relief. I'm in OC Cali. Does anyone know a good doc?
TMarvel
25 March 2016
I agree I am on the oxymorphone 20mg ER now I'm on oxymorphone IR for breakthrough pain. I'm am doing well with the 10ir for now but was on 30 mg oxycodone which I thought was the best combination for me. My doctor is still slowly increasing my dose because of the severity of my pain. As far as which is stinger or better depends on you. I'm trying opana IR because I do get best relief with the ER. If nor going to go back to my oxycodone. For the person who wrote which is better or stronger they are very close the 30 may be a little stronger than a 10 ir. It depends on your pain. Oxymorphone is twice as strong but totally different meds. I agree if you in chronic pain you should be on both ER and IR. Everyone has different opinions so you need to see what works best for your pain. Sorry best answer I can give you. Just my opinion.
Ingridlm71
8 July 2016
I am also on Opana ER for pain management. However, I take Opana IR 10MG (Oxymorphone generic) for breakthrough pain. It works very well. Taking the ER first thing in the morning prevents me from getting behind the pain. Which was an issue when I was on the IR alone. Oxymorphone is about twice the strength of Oxycodone per the opiod conversion chart.
Csmith74
28 Nov 2016
I take oxymorphone 20mg ER 1 every 12 hrs 2 a day plus oxymorphone 10mg IR 4 a day is that good.?
Inactive
15 June 2017
I am on the same opana er and opana ir but the FDA has made it official it going to be banned it the next couple of months. Better stock up. :( not happy it's the jack a $$ who wreck for people like me with cancer.
Froggy1966
4 March 2018
Well I'm so glad y'all are still getting this medication worked well when I was on it to until doctors stopped reading records and started prescribing to people who don't need it and got there license pulled or for giving it to the younger generation now people can't get them.
kaismama
24 July 2014
Oxymorphone is about twice as strong as oxycodone.
Joe3390
13 July 2015
that was NOT what the question was lol, although you are very correct lol 8P
Joe3390
13 July 2015
that was NOT what the question was lol, although you are very correct lol 8P
Joe3390
13 July 2015
actually sorry about that, but that is very false, it is ALOT stronger than Oxycodone no matter what the dose is
Justme4me64
10 Aug 2016
This Dr. I'm seeing now currently just put me on 5mg of opana. I've never taken it before, and I'm scared that this to will not work for me. I have rods from t-10 to pelvis, I believe I have 56 screws with the rods. And they keep giving me the lowest dose of medication they can. WHY?
Everythings Jake
22 April 2018
One 10mg Opana (Oxymorphone HCL) is equal to One 40mg OxyContin. If taken orally the bioavailability is about 10% but if you break it apart and use it in a way (that isn’t recognized by anyone professional in that field) that will increase it to 75% minimum. It’s actually stretching out the dollar considering the price for generics are almost closer to the brand price nowadays.
So, yes, it is much stronger and should only be taken by patients who are at a losing battle with cancer or who need around the clock treatment along with physical therapy. When you just say lower back pain you’re referring to almost 99.99% of men.
I take this medicine after having a triple fractured leg, but mainly for my 2 herniated discs and crunched nerve. I can’t sleep it’s that bad.
See if your doctor can increase to the max 10mg dosage considering the ERs are being pulled off the shelves (if they haven’t already)
Hope you feel better and more importantly hope you have an easy time coming off those
Related topics
opana, pain, oxycodone, oxymorphone, chronic pain, opioid, prescription
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