Can you help me with the conversion of oxycodone IR (5mg tab) to hydrocodone/APAP 10/325mg tab? How much oxycodone will I have to take to make an equal dose in hydrocodone?
What is the dose conversion between oxycodone and hydrocodone?
Question posted by rhmsjsss on 21 Nov 2006
Last updated on 13 December 2018
9 Answers
BeNicePlease
20 Sep 2017
Why is everyone so mean here? Look, if you want the absolute CORRECT answer, contact your doctor. Otherwise, stop yelling at healthcare professionals trying to answer your question, even when they point out you have NOT provided enough detail for someone to answer correctly.
mystellic
28 June 2017
My last dosage of oxycodone was 20mg three times a day without APAP. I was originally on hydrocodone 8 years ago and gradually increased to this. I didn't realize it was causing rebound pain. I have now stopped it and am searching for alternative medicine. I wish you the very best! 20 years with occipital neuralgia! I wouldn't wish constant pain on anyone!
DesertFlower16
17 March 2017
A 10 mg Oxycodone (Percocet) is equal to 20 mg Hydrocodone (Norco). If they both have 325 APAP. Hydrocodone is for mild to moderate pain, Oxycodone is for moderate to severe pain. No matter how a patient responds to either medication, i.e. pain relief doesn't matter. Each patient responds differently. Providers may start a patient on Norco and if patient doesn't get enough pain relief, they could choose then to change to Percocet. It's the ladder most Providers follow.
So 10 mg of Percocet equals 20 mgs of Norco. I'm speaking of IR meds, not ER.
misterselftaught
16 Jan 2017
i agree... oxycodone is about 3 times stronger than hydrocodone to me...
ChfCluso
23 Dec 2016
Dr. M, If you look up the proper conversions of each, hydromorphone (Oxycodone) 5 mg is equal in strength to about a 10 mg Hydrocodone tablet. The Aceteminethin (Tylenol) amt. Depends on whether it is a Norco, 10/325 etc... The 1st # corresponds to the mg of hydrocodone, & 2nd # the mg's of Tylenol...
Just look it up & convert it correctly & always check with your dr. Before switching meds...
Be Well!
leech1969
3 July 2017
Hydromorphone is Dilaudid. Oxycontin/Oxycodone isn't the same as Hydromorphone. Although the two meds are VERY similar, they are not the same.
wisdomfey1
18 Aug 2016
Charliesal,
To answer your question yes I was prescribed the new ER hydrocodone after a neck surgery. I myself could not take it. Made me sick as a dog but I have a slight allergy to hydrocodone. It's unfortunate as I have heard awesome things about it. I would love to have been able to cut my pill amount per day. I mean it's not nearly what some are prescribed (4×15mg oxycodone per day which some days need less some an extra) I know it's an old post but if you are able to take I suggest trying it I'm praying one day to be pain free again . Good luck.
aslkdfjh
26 Nov 2011
7.5 mg of hydrocodone equals 5 mg of oxycodone. At least that's as close as you can get to equal analgesic dosage. Hydrocodone does metabolise into hydromorphone, which is what binds to the opiate receptors in the cns. Hydrocodone has no pharmacological action on its own. Oxycodone on the other hand, provides pharmacological action of its own. Oxycodone does metabolise into oxymorphone, but it is only a minor metabolite. Finally, as far as time release or whatever was brought up, neither the 5 mg formulation of oxycodone nor the 7.5 mg formulation of hydrocodone have a time release mechanism. If your going to take the time to answer questions, at least make sure your information is accurate.(sorry for the essay)
CharlieSal
12 Aug 2013
Has anyone heard of the new extended release Hydrocodone being released? Someone mentioned it was suppose to be released Fall of '13.
Also, does anyone agree that taking Tagament an ~hour before taking Hydrocodone assists in it's effectiveness?
brittyc1985
17 Nov 2016
Thank you for the comment, it's the best one I have found through many forums.
Jan71956
12 Dec 2016
Thanks everyone, broke my knee, and was curious.
oxyaaron
1 Dec 2010
for me a 5mg percocet is roughly a wee bit stronger than a hydrocodone 7.5mg but not quite as strong as the 10mg version
arcanoidcyst16
29 March 2011
Well it is different in my case because 2 of the 7.5mg vicoden work better in terms of pain relief than 2 of the 5mg oxycodone instant release and yes they still make those without the tylenol in it?I know it is very strange.I have been looking everywhere trying to find out why the vicoden seem stronger to me than the oxy and the only conclusion I have found is that.Once vicoden enters your liver it turns into hydromorphone.Which might I add is stronger than both hydrocodone and oxy put together.But like I said it is just a hypothesis.
danzana
2 March 2012
The oxy works alot faster,and gives you energy.On the other hand hydrocodone works longer and doesnt give you the speediness boost of energy that can be very addictive of which you feel with oxycodone.The strongest and cleanest cheapest form of pain meds is Morphine>We have built in receptors in our brains made just for Morphine
percforme30
20 March 2013
a 5 mg hydro equals 7.5mg oxy, like someone said oxy is 1.5x stronger then hydro
willinnready
26 June 2017
I just wanted to add to "Danzana"s comment on the "speediness of percocet. Many people do not get the speediness effect. By asking friends, it seems to be more apparent in people with ADD. I am thinking of trying hydrocodone, because I am running out of percocet before my next script is due. I don't have time to feel crappy, and I did so much work and traveling, I used more percs than usual. I take 5mg at a time, 4 times a day. I have to take a 5mg valium with it to calm down the "speediness".
Anyone else able to confirm my theory on percs and ADD?
Dozier3636
20 Oct 2017
Vicodin is hydrocodone. So I'm not sure how it magically converts to hudromorphone when they have 2 total different chemical makeups. Maybe it's magic
Cats Meow
21 Nov 2006
Since oxy is 3x stronger then hydro, your 5mg oxy pill is actually equivalent to roughly 15mgs of hydro.
bronx77
21 June 2010
above^ is wrong. oxycodone is roughly 1.5-2 times stronger then hydrocodone. most would say 5mg hydrocodone would be equal to 7.5mg oxycodone.
christineATU
21 June 2010
Don't ya just love know it alls?
Cats Meow
25 June 2010
Yes, especially when he doesn't know what he's talking about. Oxy is 1.5-2 times stronger then morphine, not hydrocodone.
My answer was correct, but a little on the high side, but within published equalivancies, its actually closer to 10mgs.
MickyDNYC
7 Sep 2010
hrmmm... if Oxy is 1.5 times stronger, than 5mg of Oxy would roughly have the same effect as 7.5mg of Hydro. Not the reverse.
Best,
Mike
MickyDNYC
7 Sep 2010
*than* should have been *then*
dmfdjttor57
21 Oct 2010
If no one is willing to do the kind of research that people like Maso do and then give a proper and definite answer that is correct, why answer at all? People need to get their research right before posting answers, if i don't know something for certain, i don't post it. Everyone should be the same in that dept., let's not confuse people looking for answers.
dmfdjttor57
21 Oct 2010
and this was the answer i was speaking of, meant to point that out.
dmfdjttor57
21 Oct 2010
Not Mike's the other that was "a little off in the figuring" can't afford to be "off" in our figures when it comes to people taking drugs. Sorry guys but this pisses me off.
dmfdjttor57
21 Oct 2010
one more thing: is someone here confusing oxycodone with oxycontin?
Not the same drug. Comparisons to morphine can be made with contin, not usually done with codone.
Cats Meow
23 Oct 2010
It is the same drug! Oxycontin is just oxycodone extended release. Comparisons can be made with any drug (in the same class), they have to be, that's how doctors are able to titrate their patients when Rx'ing one drug to another.
SEOM
10 Nov 2010
I take oxycodone and I had been on hydros. The oxycodone is stronger and will help you more.
researchfirst
22 Dec 2010
Hi, I just like to post this accurate information. You can find it youself at differecebetween.net. Whatever u do is ur buisness as long as u aint hurting nobody... Take care everbody-
•Oxycodone hydrochloride is an opioid painkiller. It can be found in a number of prescription medications. When it is available by itself, it is available in the form of oxycontin. Oxycodone is also found in combination with other ingredients on a number of prescription medications e.g. Percocet.
•The main difference between the two relates to the onset of action. Oxycontin is a time released drug. This means that it acts over a period of time. Usually, oxycodone medications need to be taken every four to six hours. However, Oxycontin continues acting for at least 12 hours. That is why it needs to be taken only twice a day.
You may come across certain articles that categorize oxycodone as a generic name for oxycontin because it is the active substance in the medication. However, it would be incorrect to say that because oxycodone is an active ingredient in other medications also. Most experts prefer calling oxycontin ‘oxycodone extended release’
beverlyjean
17 Jan 2011
THANK YOU "research first". I believe you have given the exact information I was looking for. Again, thank you.
RandoComando
8 Feb 2011
Research,
Your answer makes good sense but its off the topic of which drug is stronger Hydro ( vicodin) vs Oxycodone ( or oxy based products)
I believe it is generally agreed that Oxycodone is stronger than Hydrocodone probably by 1.5 times is a fair guess but the biggest difference between the 2 are in the physics makeup of the two which is quite complicated
TChristian9
19 June 2011
you have it backwards. 5mg hydro = 7.5mg oxy
zephron
21 Jan 2012
Wish it were so easy to determine equivalent dosing. There is significant variation in Kappa and mu opiod receptor concentrations in a population. Oxycodone tends to bind Kappa to a greater degree than hydrocodone.. also bioavailability is different for each depending on my factors unique to the individual. but it is generally agreed that oxycodone is 1.5 to 2x more potent on average but this can vary to a great degree. Some will even find the strong Kappa binding of oxycodone dysphoric to the point of discontinuation. If it can control the pain hydrocodone is generally more uniform in effect.. just wish the non-acetaminophen formulations were used more often due to hepatic toxicity.
drugpup
31 March 2017
What nonsence!
drugpup
31 March 2017
Where do you get your drug info from, your local grocer?
CorrectionPoPo
29 Sep 2017
Hey Bronx77, if oxycodone is stronger than hydro then how does more oxy equal a lesser amount of hydro? Don't correct people if you yourself know nothing. YOU are incorrect
bobsy
8 Nov 2017
Cats Meow you are incorrect. You need to look up "Equianalgesic Pain Chart". Hydrocodone and Morphine are equal or 1:1 in giving pain relief. Therefore Oxycodone is 1.5 times stronger than Hydrocodone and 1.5 times stronger than Morphine. However, the preferred route of Morphine administration is via IV. With oral Morphine pills, the percent of the pill that is absorbed into the body (after the pill is swallowed into the digestive tract) is about 25%. Whereas a Hydrocodone pill, when swallowed, is about 80% of that Hydrocodone pill is absorbed. But whether some people prefer Hydrocodone or Oxycodone is up to the individual.
Anne0119
6 Jan 2018
Bronx, you started out right but ended backwards. 5 mgs. Of oxycodone would equal about 7.5 to 10 mgs. of hydrocodone.
LuLuBelle0207
13 Dec 2018
OxyContin I only 1.5 times stronger than hydro not 3
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