Both Oxycontin and Hydrocodone are prescription painkillers, prescribed by medical professionals to treat both short and long-term pain disorders.
Classified as opioids, both drugs do interfere with the brain’s opioid receptors, ultimately reducing pain signals in the body.
Through their ability to block out pain, both drugs are highly recommended and prescribed across the globe. However, down to their abilities to control pain conditions, Oxycontin and Hydrocodone are highly addictive substances, fuelling a large proportion of prescription medication addictions.
Although both drugs have their own identities and are prescribed for different conditions, the differences between Oxycontin and Hydrocodone are minimal, usually falling down to their side effects and dosage recommendations. Yet, the key standalone difference between both is that consuming Oxycontin can result in higher dependence rates.
While there are many similarities, it is however important that the prescription of either medication is completed by medical professionals. Likewise, controlling doses is also important, or the risk of developing an addiction to Oxycontin and Hydrocodone may be present.
What is Oxycontin?
Oxycontin is a highly prescribed medication, usually consumed when around the clock pain relief is required. OxyContin, one of the most used brands, is an oral form of Oxycodone Hydrochloride. Down to its pain-relieving characteristics, it ultimately changes the way that both the brain and nervous system deal with chronic pain conditions.
Down to its strong ability, Oxycontin as an opioid medication can be very addictive, resulting in a large proportion of global addictions. Down to its oral consumption, accessibility and convenience are the key driving forces, causing fixations on Oxycontin.
The consistency of its consumption is however a predominant driving force, known to cause quick tolerances, soon aggravating further consumption.
As vast changes are experienced, especially in the brain when consuming Oxycontin, psychological reliance is very common, causing great concerns.
The greatest concern however is the high overdose rates linked to Oxycontin consumption, down to a reduced perception of its effects and dangers. If you are misusing opioids, it’s important that you understand the signs of an Oxycontin addiction.
The signs of an Oxycontin addiction
Spotting the signs of an Oxycontin addiction can initially be challenging as consumption is commonly around the clock. However, there are a number of mutual side effects to look out for, in conjunction with higher or more frequent doses, beyond recommended prescriptions.
Some signs that Oxycontin abuse may be occurring:
- Sedation
- Seizures
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Mood changes
- Drowsiness
- Extreme headaches
If you are experiencing any of these side effects down to Oxycontin consumption, it is important that you share this with your doctor.
What is Hydrocodone?
Hydrocodone again is a prescribed opioid medication, in place to control pain symptoms or disorders. It is however used in situations where anti-inflammatory medications will fail to provide respite from side effects. Similarly, to Oxycontin, Hydrocodone is a highly addictive drug down to its advanced characteristics of relieving pain.
For those who are prescribed painkillers, the aim is to control or diminish pain symptoms. As Hydrocodone can achieve this, addiction rates are increasing on the opioid.
The differences between Oxycontin and Hydrocodone mainly lie with their dosage recommendations. As Hydrocodone is used in shorter timeframes and sometimes used to ease pain post-treatment or operation, its use and accessibility are lower.
Although its consumption levels are less, Hydrocodone is still a dangerous opioid if misused, which unfortunately is the case for many currently around the globe.
The signs of a Hydrocodone addiction
Common physical signs of a Hydrocodone addiction can be easy to spot. However, the greatest tell-tale sign can be pinpointed through behaviours, where pain will usually be exaggerated, where prescriptions will be identified to run out sooner than expected, with the aim to access greater prescriptions.
Physical side effects of Hydrocodone abuse include:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Respiratory issues
Again, if you’re misusing Hydrocodone and spot the side effects of potential abuse, reaching out for medical support will be advised.
