The key difference between morphine vs. oxycodone lies in their potencies and chemical compositions. Oxycodone—a semi-synthetic opioid—can be up to two times more potent than morphine, a natural opioid. Still, both are commonly prescribed for pain that is severe enough to require an opioid treatment.
Keep reading to discover the similarities and differences in morphine vs. oxycodone effectiveness, addictiveness, chemical composition, and more.
What Is Morphine, and How Does It Work?
Morphine is an opioid analgesic commonly prescribed to manage moderate-to-severe pain when non-opioid pain medications do not help or cannot be used. It has been used for pain relief since the 1800s.
There are two main types of morphine:
- Immediate-release morphine, which comes as a tablet or oral solution and provides pain for around four hours
- Extended-release morphine, whic is available as a tablet or a capsule and relieves pain for 8–24 hours
Besides the oral route, morphine can also be injected intravenously and administered as a rectal suppository.
It is sold both as a generic and brand-name drug, with Kadian®, MS Contin®, and MorphaBond® being some of the most popular names under which it is marketed. Morphine is also used to create semi-synthetic opioids, including hydromorphone (Dilaudid®) and heroin.
Morphine works by interacting with the opioid receptors located in the central nervous system (CNS). It prevents the brain from receiving pain signals by attaching to these receptors, which alters the pain perception. Morphine can also induce a relaxed, euphoric, and dreamlike state, enhancing the risk of opioid abuse and addiction.
To reduce the risk of morphine dependence and addiction, take your medication at minimal doses for the shortest duration possible and carefully follow your doctor’s instructions.
What Is Oxycodone, and How Does It Work?
Oxycodone is a prescription opioid used to alleviate moderate-to-severe pain that cannot be controlled with weaker pain medications. It is derived from the opium alkaloid thebaine.
Oxycodone is available in several forms, including:
- Oral solution (ETH-Oxydose®)
- Solution for injections (OxyNorm®)
- Immediate-release tablets and capsules (Roxicodone®, Oxaydo®, OxyIR®)
- Extended-release tablets and capsules (OxyContin®, Xtampza ER)
Moreover, oxycodone is often prescribed as a combination drug, most commonly containing acetaminophen (Percocet®, Tylox®, Endocet®).
Oxycodone works by binding to opioid receptors, which hinders the transmission of pain signals between the body and the brain. Immediate-release formulations relieve pain for up to six hours, whereas the pain-relieving effects of extended-release oxycodone last about twice as long; it can be taken every 12 hours for around-the-clock pain relief.
Oxycodone is among the most abused painkillers in the United States; in 2022, a staggering 2.5 million Americans misused oxycodone products. Taking this medication in any other way than prescribed constitutes opioid abuse and may increase the risk of oxycodone addiction. Therefore, it is crucial to take it precisely as prescribed.
Without further ado, let’s explore the differences between morphine vs. oxycodone.
Morphine vs. Oxycodone: 4 Key Differences
The greatest difference between morphine vs. oxycodone is strength; oxycodone is about 1.5–2 times more potent than morphine.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of morphine vs. oxycodone differences:
Morphine vs. Oxycodone Effectiveness
Even though these drugs have different potencies, most studies comparing morphine vs. oxycodone for pain relief suggest there’s no significant difference between them in terms of effectiveness.
Researchers from the Chinese PLA General Hospital found that morphine and oxycodone provide a very similar level of pain relief for patients suffering from cancer pain.
Meanwhile, a study comparing intravenous morphine and intravenous oxycodone found that while their analgesic efficacy is comparable, but IV oxycodone relieves pain faster than IV morphine.
Morphine vs. Oxycodone Chemical Composition
Chemical composition is one of the most significant differences between morphine vs. oxycodone.
Morphine is considered a natural opioid—or opiate—as it is an alkaloid that occurs naturally in opium poppy plants. By contrast, oxycodone is produced by synthesizing thebaine, which makes it a semi-synthetic opioid.
Morphine vs. Oxycodone Addictiveness
Compared to oxycodone, morphine is less potent, but it doesn’t make it any less addictive.
Morphine and oxycodone are both classified as Schedule II controlled substances, indicating a high potential for opioid abuse, dependence, and addiction. Therefore, they can only be obtained by prescription and should be taken precisely as instructed to reduce the risk of opioid addiction. Prolonged use, in particular, increases this risk.
Morphine vs. Oxycodone Cost
The cost of morphine and oxycodone depends primarily on the drug’s formulation, prescription strength, and other factors. Generic versions of both drugs are more affordable. Unlike brand-name versions, generic medications are often covered by insurance plans, including Medicare.
To give you a broad idea, a single oral tablet containing 15 mg morphine costs around $0.26, whereas the price of 15 mg oxycodone ranges between $0.19 and $0.57 per tablet. However, if you’re buying a brand-name drug, such as Roxicodone®, you might have to pay upwards of $5 per tablet.
Now, let’s compare the side effects of morphine vs. oxycodone.
Morphine vs. Oxycodone Side Effects
Because morphine and oxycodone both belong to the opioid family, they tend to cause similar side effects, such as:
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Itchy skin
- Confusion
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
- Constipation
- Lightheadedness
- Increased sweating
- Changes in blood pressure and heart rate
Allergic reactions (hives, facial swelling, etc.), trouble urinating, breathing difficulties, and other severe adverse effects may require immediate medical care. If you experience any unwanted effects after taking morphine or oxycodone, consult with your healthcare provider.
Additionally, long-term use of morphine and oxycodone can lead to:
- Tolerance
- Opioid dependence
- Opioid use disorder (OUD)
- Decreased fertility
- Sleep disturbances
- Chronic constipation
- Liver, kidney, and other organ damage
- Opioid overdose
- Coma
- Death
Mixing morphine or oxycodone with other substances may increase the likelihood of side effects, some of which—like opioid overdose—can be fatal.
On that note, let’s discuss morphine vs. oxycodone drug interaction profiles.
Morphine and Oxycodone Drug Interactions
Morphine and oxycodone may interact with the following drugs:
- Alcohol
- Antibiotics
- Other opioids
- Antipsychotics
- Anticonvulsants
- Muscle relaxers
- Benzodiazepines
- Sleep medications
- SSRIs, SNRIs, and other antidepressants
- Antifungal medications, such as ketoconazole
Morphine and oxycodone share very similar drug interaction profiles. Combining them with any substances without your doctor’s approval, including those not listed above, can have grave consequences.
For example, mixing morphine or oxycodone with alcohol and other CNS depressants is particularly dangerous due to the increased risk of respiratory depression, opioid overdose, and other serious adverse effects, including death. It can also make you more likely to develop a substance use disorder (SUD).
Moreover, oxycodone products containing acetaminophen carry a high risk of liver damage and acetaminophen toxicity, especially when mixed with alcohol or acetaminophen-containing medications.
If you are taking any medications, herbal medicines, supplements, etc., inform your doctor before initiating morphine or oxycodone therapy to make sure they won’t interact with opioids.
Other Risk Factors of Morphine and Oxycodone
Certain risk factors may increase the likelihood of serious side effects and other adverse events associated with morphine and oxycodone, such as opioid overdose. These include:
- Hypotension
- Constipation
- Liver disease
- Opioid allergy
- Seizure disorder
- Kidney conditions
- Bladder problems
- Cardiovascular problems
- Alcohol use disorder (AUD)
- Respiratory diseases, such as asthma
Also, it’s not recommended to use opioids during pregnancy, as it raises the risk of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), birth defects, and other fetal and maternal complications.
Discuss your medical history in detail with your healthcare provider to reduce the risks associated with morphine and oxycodone.
Physical Dependence and Addiction to Opioids
Taking morphine or oxycodone puts you at risk of developing physical dependence and addiction to opioids—even if you follow your doctor’s instructions to a T. Although these conditions often co-occur, they aren’t the same.
Opioid dependence stems from the neurochemical changes that result from repeated opioid exposure. It is physical; opioid-dependent people have to rely on opioids to function normally.
In contrast, opioid addiction is predominantly psychological. Those addicted to opioids find it virtually impossible to resist using opioids, even if it severely disrupts their personal and professional lives.
The best way to prevent opioid addiction is to avoid taking these drugs in the first place. The second best way, meanwhile, is to treat opioid dependence since this can prevent it from developing into an addiction.
Signs and Symptoms of Opioid Dependence
Seek professional help if you or a loved one displays the following signs of opioid dependence:
- Tolerance. Taking opioids for a prolonged time causes the brain to stop producing endorphins and create more opioid receptors, which leads to tolerance. Once this happens, the usual dose loses effectiveness. Do not increase your opioid dosage without consulting your doctor; this constitutes opioid abuse and increases the likelihood of becoming addicted.
- Opioid withdrawal symptoms. Opioid withdrawal symptoms occur when people quit taking opioids or reduce their dosage after becoming dependent. These symptoms can be very uncomfortable and potentially life-threatening. Some examples include vomiting, diarrhea, cravings, muscle aches, sleep disturbances, and anxiety.
ANR Opioid Dependence Treatment
Accelerated Neuro-Regulation (ANR) is an ultra-modern opioid dependence treatment that can help you conquer morphine or oxycodone dependence safely, quickly, and effectively.
Unlike traditional opioid treatment programs, ANR acknowledges and addresses the root causes of opioid dependence rather than merely treating its symptoms. It eradicates opioid dependence by re-regulating the endorphin-receptor system, thereby restoring the brain to its pre-addiction state.
Since ANR eliminates cravings along with other withdrawal symptoms, it negates the risk of relapse and boasts an exceptionally high success rate. It has helped close to 25,000 people worldwide break the chains of opioid dependence.
Most importantly, ANR is very safe and can be performed even on those with co-occurring health conditions, as the treatment is tailored to each patient’s medical history and needs. Moreover, it is carried out in an ICU setting of fully accredited state-of-the-art hospitals by highly experienced and compassionate healthcare professionals.
With an average hospital stay of just 36 hours, the ANR treatment can help you return to an opioid-free life in a matter of days!
To learn more about ANR, contact us for a free, 100% confidential consultation.
Key Takeaways
Here are the key things you should know about morphine vs. oxycodone:
- Morphine and oxycodone are potent opioids prescribed to manage moderate-to-severe pain resistant to weaker pain medications.
- Although morphine is less potent than oxycodone, both are very effective in relieving pain but may lead to dependence and addiction when taken for a prolonged time.
- If you are struggling with morphine or oxycodone dependence, ANR can help you recover from it within days by re-regulating your brain to its original state.
Morphine vs. Oxycodone FAQ
Oxycodone is stronger than morphine. There’s about a 1.5-time difference between morphine vs. oxycodone strengths, with oxycodone being the more potent of the two. Nonetheless, both drugs provide similar pain relief.
Some opioids, such as hydromorphone, are better for pain than oxycodone due to being more potent. If you need more pain relief than oxycodone provides, consult with your doctor to find out your options. Keep in mind that all opioids are addictive and should only be taken if you have no viable non-opioid treatment alternatives.
Oxycodone is not the same as Vicodin. Oxycodone is a single-entity opioid drug, whereas Vicodin is an opioid-based combination drug containing hydrocodone and acetaminophen. The main difference between oxycodone and hydrocodone lies in their side effects.
Oxycodone can make you sleepy; drowsiness and fatigue are among the most common opioid side effects. It can also cause other sleep disturbances. While some people struggle with excessive daytime sleepiness after taking it, others suffer from insomnia and night terrors.
You should not take oxycodone with morphine, as mixing several substances—including different types of opioids—without your doctor’s permission is a form of opioid abuse. It is extremely dangerous and can lead to serious side effects, opioid overdose, and death.
