Oxycodone vs Percocet: Difference

Oxycodone vs Percocet medicine is used to treat suffering from acute and chronic pain. As your everyday life grows, there will be a time when you have experienced emotional discomfort or physical pain due to injury, illness, etc. These pains have significantly made it difficult to manage our routine tasks and well-being. 

It is often found that 20.5% of adults in the US are suffering from acute and chronic pain. A study from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) shows that more than 51 million of the population in the USA are experiencing chronic pain. The average number of new cases of chronic pain per year is 52.4%. 

Hence, after consulting your healthcare expert they may prescribe you medications like Oxycodone and Percocet to provide relief from severe pain. In today’s blog, we will learn the differences between these two drugs, their function, uses, and many more. Let’s begin! 

Comparison Between Oxycodone and Percocet

Oxycodone

Oxycodone refers to a semi-synthetic opioid drug that is used to alleviate moderate to severe pain. It belongs to a class of opioids. Oxycodone is a prescription medicine. It is both generic as well as branded medicine. It also comes under a group of drugs called narcotic analgesics. 

It was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1995. It is a Scheduled II controlled substance that has a higher risk of addiction and abuse. Purdue Pharmaceutical is the manufacturing company of Oxycodone in the USA. 

Percocet

Percocet is an opioid pain medication that is also used to treat acute or chronic pain. It also helps to treat fever symptoms like muscle pain, chills, etc., to provide relief from severe infections. It is a prescription drug which is prescribed by a certified doctor. It is sold in both generic and brand forms. 

In December 1995, the FDA approved this medication for opioid treatment and in managing pain in patients. The manufacturing company of Percocet in the US is also Purdue Pharmaceutical.

It is a Scheduled II control substance. This medicine has a high potential for abuse and can lead to physical or psychological dependence.

Mechanism of Action

Oxycodone

Oxycodone works by binding the opioid receptors which restricts the activity of an enzyme called adenylal cyclase that produces cAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate). This enzyme is used to send pain signals to the neurons in the body that involve mood, pain, etc. However, Oxycodone reduces the transmission and production of cAMP and provides relief from pain.

Oxycodone also helps to minimize electrical functions of the body caused by hyperpolarization. 

Percocet

Percocet contains the combination of Oxycodone as well as acetaminophen which is used to reduce fever and offer relief from pain. Oxycodone reacts by binding the mu-opioid receptors and activates the G-protein receptors in the brain and the spinal cord. It also inhibits the adenylyl cyclase enzyme. 

Acetaminophen is a non-opioid pain relief drug that restricts the working of prostaglandins, a chemical that causes fever and pain. This ingredient helps to provide relief from pain and lower the symptoms of fever.

Uses

Oxycodone

Oxycodone is used in the treatment of mild and severe pain caused by many health conditions. It should be used only when you are not provided with adequate pain relief from other medications. Do not take an overdose of this drug, if you have then try to take it the next day on time. Take this medicine with or without food or as advised by the doctor. 

Some brand medicines of Oxycodone have special instructions for use. Therefore, ask your healthcare expert to guide you properly while consuming this drug.

Percocet

Percocet is both an opioid and non-opioid pain drug because of the ingredients available in this pharmaceutical drug. Consume Percocet as per the doctor’s advice. Inform your doctor if you are having an urge to take this medicine more. 

You can also take this medicine with or without food, if it upsets your stomach then eat it after food. Read the drug’s label carefully to avoid any adverse effects on the body.

Doses and Dosages

Oxycodone

Doses

Oxycodone is available in various forms and is used to provide relief from acute and chronic pains:

• Immediate-release (IR) tablet
• Extended-release (ER) tablet
• Liquid 
• Capsule

Here are some of the common strengths of these forms. 

• Immediate Release (IR): 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg 15 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg.
• Extended Release (ER): 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg, 80 mg.
• Oral Solution: 5 ml/mg, 100 ml/mg

Dosages

The initial dosage of Oxycodone a patient must take for mild or short-term pain is 5 to 15 mg every 4-6 hours a day and 2.5 mg to 10 mg daily for patients with long-term pain. The dosage will be low to avoid the symptoms of analgesia or follow the doctor’s prescription before consuming this medicine.

Percocet

Doses

Percocet also comes in different forms like oral tablet and liquid which can be taken with a measuring spoon to ensure the correct measurement of this drug dose. It contains a mixture of two ingredients, including Oxycodone and acetaminophen. This drug has various strengths:

• 2.5 mg/325 mg
• 5 mg/325 mg
• 7.5 mg/325 mg 
• 10 mg/325 mg
• 10 mg/500mg

Dosages

The recommended dosage for adults is 2.5 mg/325 mg every 6 hours. The dosage will be managed for those patients who are suffering with liver disease, and for individuals with chronic pain, the dosage can be increased after monitoring their health condition.

Side Effects

Oxycodone and Percocet have similar side effects which include: 

• Constipation 
• Nausea
• Vomiting 
• Drowsiness
• Loss of appetite 
• Headache 
• Skin rash
• Fever 
• Cough 

Some of the severe side effects of both the drugs are as follows:

• Fainting
• Slow heart rate
• Shortness of breath
• Allergic reactions
• Liver damage
• Seizures
• Confusion 

Other than these major side effects, Oxycodone can also increase the feeling of euphoria and Percocet can lead to abdominal pain, and jaundice because of damage in the liver.

Precautions

Some of the precautions you should follow:

• These drugs should not be taken by those patients having a medical history of substance addiction or abuse. 
• Oxycodone and Percocet can be habit-forming if used for long-term treatment. 
• If you are consuming any other medicines, then inform your healthcare expert about the condition.
• Avoid taking an overdose and follow the doctor’s recommended dosage instructions.
• Swallow the medicines with a glass of water and do not crush, chew, or break them. 
• Breastfeeding and pregnant women should avoid these drugs. 
• If you stop the medicine suddenly, you can suffer from withdrawal symptoms. So, it is advised to consult your healthcare expert before withdrawing the medicines. 
• Always read the product label carefully before taking these medicines.