I have been taking Oxycodone 10/325 for over 6 years, and my doc just changed my medicine to Oxycontin (20mg) after seeing my most recent MRI. I just finished my Oxycodone medicine this morning, and am due for my next dose (if I still had them). I am supposed to start the new medicine but am nervous because of the things I have heard/read. Does anyone know if I am going to feel "drugged" if I take one after taking my regular medicine? Should I suffer until morning? Any help is appreciated. Advise?
Transition?
- Asked
- 28 May 2014 by victoria2009
- Updated
- 31 May 2014
- Topics
- oxycontin, oxycodone, medicine
Added 30 May 2014:
Well, let me tell you helpful folks what happened. I had another awful pain day with the 2 20mg Oxycontin, and finally decided to call my doc to tell him what was happening to me. I left a voicemail as instructed. His nurse calls me back several hours later and I explained the medicine is not working, and I could not wait 12 hours in between doses. My pain NEVER stopped! I hadn't felt that bad in a very long time. Anyway, she said, well, I am looking at your chart now, and you should have plenty of medicine. I said it wasn't working. She said, that is what the other prescription is for.... I asked, what other prescription? She then told me the doc gave me 4 prescription slips. Two months worth of 20mg Oxycontin taken 1 pill every 12 hours, and then two months worth of 10/325 Oxycodone 1 every 6 hours for my breakthrough pain. I almost fainted. Apparently, the two Oxycodone slips inadvertently got into my file, and not given to me. After more conversation she said they were about to close, and I could come today if I could make it before 5 or get it Monday... I was there in 30 minutes flat during heavy traffic! It has been about an hour since I took my first dose, and let me just say my pain is nearly tolerable again, and all the side effects of what I believe to be withdrawals have ceased. I do not think I would have called my doctor without you all commenting, and providing me with information. I feel better because of you, and want to thank you very much! My lesson learned is not to wait to call the doctor when something just isn't right. I almost waited another 5 weeks until my appt! Ugg... That would have been real real bad for me! Thank you all again. I am not afraid of any of my medicine, and honestly believe I will be much better going forward! :)
Responses (3)
You shouldnt feel drugged. In fact, you would be more likely to feel drugged from the short acting medicine. Both medications contain oxycodone. Oxycodone is oxycodone. Oxycontin just releases the medication over time rather than releasing all the drug at once. That is the ONLY difference. Your pain should be better controlled on the Oxycontin. Be sure to take it by the clock, not in response to pain. Start it before your pain is severe and continue to take regularly every 12 hours apart. You wont feel drugged because the long acting drugs do not "flood" the receptors with drug the way short acting ones do. Oxycontin has gotten a bad rap by the media but it is no different than any other opioid for pain. It is the exact same drug as what is in Percocet. The only difference is in how they release. As long as you take them correctly-take them as directed and swallow the tablet whole-you shouldnt have any problems.
It's the same medication, just time released and without the Acetaminophen. Drugged? Actually, when prescribed at the correct dose and instructions followed, you really won't "feel it" as being "drugged." If you do, than maybe the dose it too high. As for suffering till morning. you should be fine. 20mg is fairly low and because of the time release over 12-hours all should be well. As always, keep your Dr. informed on how you're doing and please do not take more of this stuff than prescribed. It can be a wonderful aid in pain management, however, when abused and/or if stopped abruptly carries high consequence.
Be grateful you have a Dr. who will write the stuff, many have been so intimidated by the DEA they will not prescribe it anymore.
Hope this helps.
All the info I have received here is very appreciated. My new feat is the medicine is not working well for me at all. I actually asked to leave work early today because I felt flu like symptoms. Am I withdrawing because the dose may be too low? I have also felt pain like I haven't in years. I realize I just started this medicine but when pain that is so bad is reappears and roars through me I cannot help but think I need to call the doctor to tell him what is happening. I cannot keep going for hours in between doses with this pain for another 5 or 6 weeks which is when I see him next. I was in tears earlier because it just hurts so bad. I am very open to new treatments but not the suffering!
Good for you! Now days you have to be an ardent advocate for your own healthcare. If you have a medical problem, such as dealing with your pain, then call the doc and call again, if necessary, to let them know the medicine(s) that was prescribed for you are not giving you satisfactory relief. If it takes being annoying to get their attention then sometimes that is what you may have to do in order to get satisfatory relief.

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Thank you very very much. I am not one who wants to feel anything but relief. The fact that I have read that people sniff it up their nose, and put it in their veins is horrifying! I still go through many bouts of pain but I am grateful to have a medicine to help me stand up straight after it begins to work. Thank you again! Very much! I look forward to taking less pills, and receive the same relief! Thank God for time release medicine! :)
Indeed! I think you will be much happier on the Oxycontin. If it does cause some sedation, (which I doubt since you are already taking oxycodone) remember that you will adjust to it in a short time. Long acting medications are much better at managing chronic pain. It is shame that bad media has vilified a medication that has helped so many! People who take it as directed have no problems with it. Any medication for pain can be abused but this one in particular has been made out to be "evil" and it is no worse than any other pain medicine! I think it will work quite well for you!
You are right about the sedation. It may be because I took the last 6 of my other medicine before taking my first dose of the Oxycontin but I was out like a light. I took my morning dose over an hour ago, and still feel pain. My pain has always been at its worse in the morning though so I will give it some time to work. The way I understand the medicine is it releases 20MG over 12 hours. My script for the Oxycodone was 20MG every 6 hours. My fear is the dose will wear off before I am due for my second dose of the day. My doc prescribed it to me as 2 every 12 hours. Only time will tell I guess. I see him again in six weeks so it will give me time to see how it truly works for me in that time. I don't know why I was so scared to change. Maybe because I have been taking the 10/325 for SO long, and it worked very well for me. Once someone with true chronic debilitating pain finds an agent that allows a productive lifestyle, fear is only natural I think.
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I just don't want to go backwards, and begin walking all bent over because of my back pain. Thanks again for speaking with me. It did bring me some comfort! :)
I meant he prescribed 1 every 12 hours, and not 2