Living a healthy life is the most challenging thing for individuals nowadays. Recently, the WHO reports, due to individuals’ busy schedules lives, and working pressure at home or in business, they neglect to take care of their health in time. As a result of chronic pain, nerve pain, or back pain increases day by day as an unwelcome guest that feels very uncomfortable. All find a better solution to effortlessly reclaim peace. Many doctors prescribe Codeine and Oxycodone as powerful pain relievers for their opioid nature. But it is difficult to choose which is better. This article is all about Codeine Vs Oxycodone, how quickly they affect your body, and which is stronger.
Overview of Codeine Vs Oxycodone
Codeine
Codeine is the strongest drug that commonly acts as a pain reliever and inflammation controller. It affects the chemical receptors in the brain and nerves, helping to calm overactive nerve signals. A pharmacist recommended this medication for managing moderate to severe pain that is not well treated with other opioid pain medications.
Appropriate Use Of Codeine
Pain Relief:
Codeine is used to treat mild to moderate pain, and is also used to manage short-term pain relief such as: dental pain, postsurgery pain, and injury-related pain. Sometimes pharmacists refer to using Codeine with acetaminophen to enhance the pain-relieving effect.
Cough Suppression:
When other treatments have failed, Codeine is included in the prescription to reduce persistent, dry coughs and long-term illness.
Oxycodone
Oxycodone is a well-known opioid agonist that is prescribed to treat moderate to severe acute pain. It is a Schedule II controlled substance and is most useful for spontaneous bursts of shooting pain, also known as paroxysmal pain. The immediate-release (IR) formulation of Oxycodone is available is used to treat moderate to severe pain, whereas the extended-release (ER) formulation is used to treat severe or chronic pain conditions.
Appropriate Use Of Oxycodone
Pain Relief:
Oxycodone is used to relieve moderate to severe pain, and acute pain like injury pain, dental procedure, or after surgery pain, and chronic pain such as back pain, nerve pain, or arthritis.
Frequently, it is also recommended to manage the pain of cancer patients, and it helps in managing pain after major surgeries.
What are the Similarities Between Codeine and Oxycodone?
Codeine and Oxycodone are both opioids, and that changes to user’s perception of pain. Some common similarities include:
Both Codeine and Oxycodone are opioid narcotics that are available by prescription in the USA, and they are addictive controlled substances.
They share a common side effect, such as sedation, drowsiness, and respiratory depression.
Codeine and Oxycodone both are used in combination medications: Codeine is combined with cough and cold medicines and sold under brand names like Coditussin DAC, while Oxycodone is commonly combined with the pain reliever acetaminophen and sold under the brand name Percocet.
If you have been taking either Codeine or Oxycodone over the long term, suddenly stopping it may cause withdrawal symptoms.
What is the Difference Between Codeine and Oxycodone?
Despite their similarities, Codeine and Oxycodone have some differences. They include:
Oxycodone is a Schedule II controlled substance, and Codeine is based on the range from Schedule II to Schedule V. Hence, Oxycodone is more addictive than Codeine.
Codeine is used in different narcotic cough medications, while Oxycodone is used for pain.
Both are derived from different chemicals. Codeine is derived from the natural opioid morphine, while Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic drug means it is man-made.
Codeine Vs Oxycodone Dosage
After discussing many similarities and differences between Codeine and Oxycodone, it is important to know which dose will be more effective for you. The actual dose is determined by a doctor according to the severity of pain.
Codeine dosage:
In adults, Codeine is used 15-60 mg every 4-6 hours as needed for pain, and for cough, it is recommended 10 to 20 mg every 4-6 hours as needed. The final or maximum dose for treating cough is 120 mg every 24 hours.
Oxycodone dosage:
Oxycodone dosage is available in oral capsule, oral tablet, and oral solution form. It comes in multiple strengths. Oxycodone immediate-release dosages are: 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, and 30 mg. Extended-release dosages are: Oxycodone 20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg, 80 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg.
How Long Do Both Medications Stay In Your Body?
Both medications (Oxycodone & Codeine) can be detected in various drug tests, including urine, blood, saliva, and hair. Detection time varies for individuals due to many factors like their metabolism, age, weight, and dose. Below, you will find the timeframes for how long both medicines stay in your body.
| Test Type | Detection Time Of Codeine | Detection Time of Oxycodone |
| Urine | 1-3 Days | 2-4 Days |
| Blood | 24 Hours | 24 Hours |
| Saliva | 1-2 Days | 1-2 Days |
| Hair | 90 Days | 90 Days |
After considering the above data, it is concluded that Oxycodone stays more time than Codeine. So, it is more potent, and it informs you to use Oxycodone carefully to minimize side effects. Regularly visit your healthcare provider to get proper guidance.
Side Effects Of Codeine and Oxycodone
The common side effects of Codiene and Oxycodone are listed in the following tables.
| Codeine Side Effects | Oxycodone Side Effects |
| Sedation | Nausea |
| Nausa | Vomiting |
| Vomiting | Seizures |
| Dizziness | Muscle Pain |
| Dry mouth | Stomach Pain |
| Sweating | Fast or slow heartbeat |
| Mild itching | Drowsiness |
| Low blood pressure | Fever |
| Allergic reaction | Headache |
| Confusion | Anxiety |
How To Get Prescribed Codeine or Oxycodone?
It is the most important thing to remember when using any medication first time, consult with a doctor for close supervision on what is best for you. After checking your health condition, they provide a proper guide. Here, we are providing some suggestions:
- Before using medicine (Codeine or Oxycodone), first visit a doctor and tell them the severity of your pain. After that, they decide which type of treatment you need, either short-term relief or long-term relief.
- If you have any previous history of kidney or liver diseases or any breathing problems, then you must tell to your doctor.
- If you are using antidepressant medications, then you should talk about these.
- Be careful about the side effects. If you notice any side effects, immediately visit your healthcare provider to learn how to cure it.
- Always follow the guidelines provided by your pharmacist.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Stronger Codeine or Oxycodone?
Oxycodone is stronger than Codeine, because a single dose of 10 mg Oxycodone is 2-3 times stronger than a single dose of 60 mg Codeine.
What is the Overdose of Codiene and Oxycodone?
When taking an overdose of both medications, which shows many side effects, such as severe respiratory depression, low heartbeat, seizures, and extreme sedation or coma.
Are Codeine and Oxycodone the same?
No, Codeine and Oxycodone are not the same. They are different in their strength, usages, and metabolism.
Is It Safe to Drink Alcohol With Them?
No, it is not safe to drink alcohol with them; it will cause severe side effects, even death.
Summing it up
Both Codeine and Oxycodone are opioid analgesics, and are used for the treatment of chronic pain, moderate to severe pain. Take close supervision of a healthcare provider before using Codeine or Oxycodone.