I have been taking Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen 10/325's(Imprint "Watson 853) for about 6 months now for chronic pain. I usually take about 3 (30/975) every 6-8 hours. Today, my doctor switched me (for a trial period to see if it works better) from the Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen 10/325's to Oxycodone/Acetaminophen 5/325's (Imprint "512").
I've never taken any Oxycodone before and just wanted to know a little bit more about it in comparison to Hydrocodone. If I was taking 30mg of Hydrocodone every 6-8 hours, what would be the equivalent dose of Oxycodone? Is the "feeling" any different between the two (Granted, I will be taking the equivalent dose, not 30mg of the Oxycodone). I have been scared all day to take any because I don't know if it's going to affect me differently than the Hydrocodone has in the past.
If anybody has some insight on the equivalent dose, the "feeling" you get of of them or any other insight you think I should know, please PLEASE reply to this and let me know.
I'm in quite a bit of pain right now and I'm still scared to take any. I want to know a little bit more about them before I take any.
Thank you for reading this and thank you for your time, I really appreciate it.
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
50 Answers Page 4
BO
bo1234
23 May 2011
I have taken both, and the oxycodone works better, you just have to be careful of the acetaminophen you take. That can make you feel like crap! Plus damage your liver. My doc had me on hydrocodone 5/500 and it made me feel bad, compared to the hydro 5/325... too much acetaminophen! I could take TWO of the hydrocodone 325, but two of the 500's make my stomach hurt. I am now on oxycodone 5/325 along with ultram and mobic, and it is WORKING!! Just dont take 3 of ANY of these. Good luck with your pain... I feel it too, and it is a life-changing experience, that's for sure!!! Take care of yourself!
Votes: +7
BO
Boxerseng
19 Aug 2017
Have you and your doctor discussed having the oxycodone in a stand alone pill. No more worry about liver damage for its counterpart. Just a thought
B8
b80m4rl
21 May 2011
Ive used both for many years and the oxycodone always felt stronger but very similar. I was able to take the same mg amount-Im not suggetsing you do that, that was me. But they do feel stronger so you would want to take less. If your taking an equivalent dose you shouldnt feel anything different as far as what your use to
Votes: +6
DZ
DzooBaby
20 May 2011
Wow, I'm a little concerned that you were taking your hydrocodones 3 at a time, and not because of the opioid, but because of the acetaminophen content. Taking 3 pills every 6 hours brings you VERY close to liver toxicity for acetaminophen, especially if you ever drink alcohol at all. If you drink at all you are over the limit for toxicity For me the oxycodone works better. There is not much difference in the "feeling" of the two. That fact that you are asking about the "feeling" concerns me a bit too. If you are in very serious pain you should be worried more about the effect on your pain, not the feeling you get when taking them. If you are taking them for the feeling you get, you are taking them for the wrong reason. As Laurie said they are both opioids and are both considered to be narcotics. I'm not meaning to sound judgemental. I'm just concerned about your liver health and your reasons for taking the meds.
Granted, no one can feel your pain but you. Try the oxycodone. They are not any more scary than hydrocodone and may work better for you. Be sure you stick to the way your Dr has them written and dont escalate the dose without your Drs approval. Make sure your acetaminophen intake from all sources doesnt exceed 3000mg per 24 hour period.
Votes: +40
MI
MichellePerez1027
20 May 2011
also if you are in constant need throughout the day, maybe ask your Dr for an extended release that will last longer and it doesnt have acetaminophen. If your dr wants you to have the acetaminophen, maybe just take it on the side with the ER drug... the er works alot better around the clock. like i take one before bed and itll last all night and my pain is way better in the AM, before i was on ER it was much worse
IN
Inactive
20 May 2011
ER means extended release
PA
PaulRemski777
6 April 2012
DZOOBabe... is right on with comments/suggestions made. I suspect that the words you use to describe your condition and use of medicine have in fact created a dependency to the lift hydrocodone gives you. If you are taking a muscle relaxor as well... you are indeed moving in the Soma Coma realm. Nonetheless, if prescribed by your dr. it is all legal. I just talked to a surgeon and the oxycodone is indeed stronger... and should manage your pain better. With regard to the tylenol in your hydrocodone/vicodin, your weight and height are relevant. 4000 mg per day is my drs. limit for me and I am 6 ft. 1 in 215 lbs. Better to be safe than sorry on the acetaminophen though... liver toxicity is a serious matter. I've been on these meds for 20 yrs and no shame in being dependent rather than addicted. Educated people know the difference between these two conditions. The former means you take narcotics for pain management, and not the high or "feeling".
The latter means your meds control you and result in dysfunction in life due to them. I have fallen in to both categories over the last 20 yrs... my protocol is to get detoxed (on outpatient basis with a step down protocol, gradually reducing the narcotics, until off them completely for 2-3 weeks, usually using detox patches to relieve the shakes)... then after detox if you are in soo soo much pain you cannot live life reasonably..then return to a lower dose of narcotics... Otherwise, you will escalate your dosages. It is the nature of the opium the basis of the vast majority of narcotics... even ultram / tramadol. Wish you well in getting appropriate pain management.
IN
Inactive
6 April 2012
Actually I have heard here recently that 2000 mgs of acetaminophen per day is the max. Perhaps the limit has been lowered over the past year. ElizaJane
MI
MichellePerez1027
10 April 2012
No he is right... its 4000. That's how people take 1 to 2, 5/500 hydrocodone every 4-6 hrs as often prescribed. Simple math is that if they only take 2 every 12hrs or 1 every 6 would then be the 'max'. Drs wouldnt still prescribe it so patients are allowed to take more than twice the 'lethal' amount... But to be sure that many Drs around here haven't been misinformed somehow or all don't care, I still checked because I don't like to speak about stuff I'm not 100% sure about. By misinforming only 1 person and they misinform another and etc, causes a lot of ignorant or misinformed people. Not trying to be mean or put you on the spot, its just a big pet peeve of mine, especially from people that are attempting to 'correct' someone.
IN
Inactive
10 April 2012
Looks like we both are wrong - I did a Google search just now and found in July 2011 McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a Johnson & Johnson company, changed their recommended daily maximum from 4,000 mgs to 3,000 mgs: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/231915.php - there are more articles if you care to do a Google search. Sorry if I've stepped on your toes by "correcting" you - I would far rather you be insulted at my "correction" than someone continue to take a dosage that could ruin their liver. ElizaJane
BU
Bubba26
23 Jan 2013
Most pain meds are 1 to 2 every 4-6 prn that being as needed so 5/500 or 7.5/750 Is the same as i would write them up to 8 in 24 hours. Thats how i was thought.
SR
srobb047
27 Feb 2013
Even 3000 mg every day isn't real good on the liver
OC
oceanboundjude
9 April 2013
Big Pharma wants as much acetaminophen, (to kill your liver, kidneys and pancreas) and ibuprofen, (to eat up your stomach lining) for the almighty dollar. First you must go through the tramadols and meloxicams to start the poisons going. Do the research, the side effects are horrific. I take hydrocodone 7.5 w/ only 200mgs. ibuprofen, 3 times a day. You see the sicker Big Pharma keeps you, the more $$$ they make. Demand lower fillers. I believe they are making less toxic opioids. You don`t need the ex. toxins. I also don`t understand the overuse fascination. Recreational use for me is getting to the bathroom in the morning. I`m still bed ridden mostly but thanks to those who aren`t in true chronic pain, those of us who are, are scared to ask for more in fear of being looked down upon as a pill-popping/shopper.
MA
maggie cat
4 Aug 2016
, I have been taking fentanyl and vicoden which has been changed to Percocet and I only take it when devil pain raises its ugly head. I do NOT get a high and I cannot understand why someone would. I guess my :high: is being thankful the pain is gone.
DA
David Pome
3 Sep 2016
I'm am concerned also but at same time my wife before she passed away stage four ovarian cancer that spread to kidneys liver thiroids and lungs and last possible her brain her doctor was at point of giving her 10 to 15 hydrocodone 10-325 a day if not more. And It might been to make her comfortable since she was that bad. Truth she was dieing. God I miss her she was my wife of 21 years and my best friend. To me seemed be to much. But I guess if your that bad it don't really matter on liver damage and other bad things. She never took that many but they wrote for that. She took most five a day except last few day she couldn't thing and remember what she took that's why I had hospice come in. Me I take 2 maybe 3 a day norco 10-325 and I'm good. Man I miss my wife. Flat out sucks. Wish I would died in her place! These new laws thanks to Obama care have screwed every body that has chronic pain. I have lower back problems and pancries problems.
That's why I'm on pain meds. And new laws just make it hard for pain management. Is what it is. The oxicodone 15 not that much different than norco 10's. Little stronger won't mess with ya any different. Last longer and work better. Feel about same normal. Well I'm out y'all. Nights be hard wife passed not to long ago. I hate being alone at night so go bed early. That's after I spend time with my son that misses hell out of mom. All round hard sucks. Good night all hope all is good with every one. Night y'all. Peace love and chicken grease.
JE
Jeffs1121
6 Nov 2016
I never expected to see fellow patients so quick to pass judgement. His question is perfectly valid and you shouldn't jump to false conclusions. I also have just been switched from hydro 10/325 to oxy 7.5/325... and the very first question I had for the Doc was should I expect a different "feeling". I leave the ingredient pain control up to him... that's HIS area of expertise... but I'm the one who has to "perform" (so to speak) in public. Forewarned is forearmed as far as I'm concerned.
CR
Cradlehecate
4 Dec 2016
I agree with you people need to take less Tylenol I have seen on prescription bottles doses that exceed an overdose if they were to follow instructions. You make a good point I tried to explain that to friends in pain but no one listens they just like relief. People talking about Sentinel is a whole different world that's why it comes in micrograms. Anyhow I always look at the Tylenol consumption if people are taking over 2,000 milligrams a day they are already in the red 3000 milligrams and the kidneys won't last too long
DV
Dvance77
4 Dec 2016
I get the "feeling" comment. I'm in chronic pain from occipital neuralgia and honestly after 80 different meds the only thing I can take is norco 10/325. I can take those and still work and make it through the day. The feeling I get is it gives me energy so to speak.
PA
patricia williams
22 Jan 2017
Thank you for this response... specifically your statements on acetaminophen. In a blood transfusion in 1979 in the Texas Medical Center I received HEP C. At that time they called it Hepatitis non-A non-B. About five years later they named in Hep C. For all practical purposes I am asymptomatic. I have visited several doctors to inquire about treatment and all have dismissed me like I was a gnat. I am now 79 years old. I had total reversal shoulder replacement January 16. The pain drug at the top of my list was Tylenol, 500 mg, 2 tablets 3 times daily... 3000 mg daily. I protested loudly but was told my fears were totally unfounded. Nonetheless, I did not take it. For almost nine months now I have been under the care of a pain management specialist who gives me hydrocodone 10/325, maximum dosage four times daily. I only take half that amount. It has also been my experience that Tylenol (500 mg)
is the first drug of choice for ER doctors and an other doctor to whom you mention pain. I went to war with two ER doctors for prescribing it in mammoth doses for my husband. How do we turn this around?
SM
smellyhippie
7 March 2017
Dealing with all that pain and suffering, what's wrong if you get a little buzz from them? Agreed the APAP is up there. Oxy 10 or 15mg without the APAP may be better choice.
IN
Indicahybrids
20 March 2017
Thats nothing, when i very first started taking hydro i was doing 7 or 8 5.325 pills at once or chasing on after another every 5 minutes and im fine
RS
Rszczudlik
30 June 2019
They make 5, 10, 15, 30, 40, and 80 mg oxycodone with NO acetaminophen in them!! I really believe that people on long term pain management meds should get that kind(roxicodone). MUCH easier on the liver and stomach. If you're only going to be on vicodin or percocet for a short time, like a week for wisdom teeth surgery, or a couple months after a more major surgery, then the acetaminophen ingestion shouldn't cause long term problems. It is supposed to work WITH the OxyContin or hydro and does help pain but large doses are no bueño. That is why they stopped making the 10/500s and 10/750s.
Both of these medicines are narcotic opiates, the oxycodone is stronger than the hydrocodone as you know. That is why the difference in the milligrams of the first number in the formula. You really should be fine. You may experience a little tummy upset if you take the oxycodone on an empty tummy, so take at least with a few crackers or whatever. If you want to see how you respond, you can do as BRR mentioned and take half a pill first. You really need to take pain medicine before the pain gets so bad so I would take it and get the pain under control. It will be ok. It won't make you "feel" any different than the hydrocodone as long as you take as prescribed, it will just help the pain more.
Laurie
Votes: +23
GO
Golfan
4 Jan 2017
What is the "feel" you are talking about. I have been on hydrocodone on and off for 2 or 3 years for muscles spasms. The pain goes away, period. No feeling other than no pain
BE
ben57
30 Jan 2017
That you all from answering this concerned person. I am taking 10/ 325 4 to 5 daily for petelafemeral knee pain, ostiero arthritis in my back and knees.My concerns a The same as the other pain suffer. But I just wanted to ask. I am also on other meds for server depression, and sleeping problems. Will me taking 1 or 2 oxycodone affect me any other way for my back and knee pain until I get my prescription filled next week the 7 of Feb 17. Sign:Don't like to take meds but have to. Retired US Army. Thank you for any responses.
JE
Jeffs1121
7 March 2017
For the Army retiree: depression is very common for those on pain meds as it's hard to copecwith decreased mobility... especially loss of mobility at a relatively younger age (under 60).
Hydrocodone is a narcotic where Oxycodone is an opiate, it's stronger but that is why the lower dose, if your scared but the pill in half and see how it goes, you should be fine though.
Votes: +14
BS
BsubsN11
30 Nov 2012
Not to be rude, but you really just contradicted yourself. Both Hydrocodone and Oxycodone are narcotics, opiates, and opioids. Technically speaking, hydrocodone is a semi-synthetic opioid derived from codeine and/or thebaine (two naturally occurring opiates), while oxycodone is yet another semi-synthetic opioid derived from thebaine. The term narcotic originally referred to opiates (morphine, diamorphine-heroin, and codeine), but is now used more loosely to define all DEA controlled substances. All opioids are opiates, but not all opioids are technically opiates. For example, most semi-synthetic opioids are derived from either morphine or codeine; both of which are pure opiates. Examples being both hydrocodone and oxycodone, and meperidine (Demerol). Then you have methadone and fentanyl, neither of which are true opiates, but nonetheless they are each synthetic opioid agonists; with there chemical make up each created from an opiate structure. Tramadol is another example; being a synthetic analogue of codeine.
TU
Tubbs2554
28 Jan 2013
I am also on hydro one 10/325. I am 52 I have arthritis OA and FB. I sleep in a recliner because a bed kills me it just hurts my back way too much. I had a total knee replacement 2/2102. That is still giving me problems. In ky they now pee test me to make sure I am taking my medicine. Ky law Casper. Anyway I am more than fine in that department. Getting back to my question Can anyone suggest another pain killer? I discuss with my doctor of 23 years in 3 days. This hydro done just does not cut it. I take 4 per day and ibuprofen 3 times along with it. Ideas?
JU
justme1976
3 June 2013
I'm sorry but this statement is completely inaccurate. I will say I work in a pharmacy and that hydrocodone(Vicodin, lortab, norco) are opiates along with oxycodon (percocet, etc) and roxys, and many more like methadone.
AL
alynnc
13 July 2013
hydrocodone and oxycodone are both opiate medications. Narcotic definition: A drug or other substance affecting mood or behavior and sold for nonmedical purposes, esp. an illegal one.
MA
maggie cat
4 Aug 2016
I use fentanyl patch and have for 20+ years. I also take pain pills when needed. I was on Vicoden and dr changed me to percocet/hydrocodone q 8 hrs prn. I have been on these meds for over 20 years, I have MS. I am so afraid that one day the government will say "no more", except for themselves of course. Question--- what happens when I can get no more for the pain?
.
AM
AmieR
22 March 2018
I have been taking Norco 10/325 for ages... decades really. I recently developed a new illness that the Norco just didnt cover. My dr prescribed Oxycodone 10/325 to see if it will allieviate my pain. It was if I wasnt taking anything at all. My dr told me - and then I read on line - that each OxyContin was the strength of about 2 Norco. I am trying to figure out why the OxyContin didnt work, but I cant find any answers. Has anyone experienced something similar ?
