Due to the differences in OxyContin vs. Percocet formulations, these medications are typically prescribed in different cases; as an extended-release medication, OxyContin is used to relieve severe continuous pain, with Percocet being usually prescribed for acute pain. Both opioid medications contain oxycodone and are prescribed for moderate-to-severe pain.
This article will help you learn more about the similarities OxyContin and Percocet share and explain what else makes them different.
What Is OxyContin, and How Does It Work?
OxyContin is a long-acting opioid pain medication consisting of controlled-release oxycodone. Due to its extended-release formulation, it is usually prescribed for patients suffering from severe, persistent pain that cannot be treated with milder painkillers.
OxyContin comes as a tablet containing 10–160 mg of oxycodone. It releases oxycodone into the system gradually, relieving pain for around 12 hours. Like other opioids, it works by interacting with the opioid receptors in the central nervous system (CNS), thereby stopping the brain from receiving pain signals.
Besides pain relief, OxyContin can also induce euphoria and deep relaxation by triggering a sudden release of dopamine, enhancing the risk of opioid abuse. On the streets, it is often called “Oxy,” “Hillbilly Heroin,” and “Blue.”
Upon its approval for medical use in the mid-1990s, OxyContin was marketed as a revolutionary painkiller.
Today, however, it’s no longer a secret that it is extremely addictive; increased access to it was the main culprit behind the first wave of the opioid epidemic. To reduce the risk of abuse, dependence, and addiction, take it precisely as instructed.
What Is Percocet, and How Does It Work?
Percocet is an opioid-based medication used to manage moderate-to-severe pain that cannot be treated with weaker, non-opioid painkillers. It consists of two active ingredients: oxycodone and acetaminophen, an over-the-counter medication used to treat pain and fever.
Percocet is available as a brand-name and generic medication (acetaminophen/oxycodone). Some other names under which it is marketed include Endocet®, Oxycet®, and Roxicet®. Meanwhile, “Percs” is its most popular street name.
While generic Percocet comes as a tablet or oral liquid, the brand-name version of this drug is only available in tablet form. Percocet tablets are composed of 300 mg or 325 mg of acetaminophen and 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, or 10 mg of oxycodone.
Percocet works in the same manner as OxyContin; it alters the perception of pain by interacting with opioid receptors and disrupting the transmission of pain signals between the body and the brain. It can also cause intense euphoria and sedation.
All oxycodone products, including Percocet, have a high potential for abuse, dependence, and addiction. Carefully following the doctor’s instructions is of vital importance to anyone taking this potent opioid.
Now that we’ve covered the basics, it’s time to compare OxyContin vs. Percocet in detail.
Key Differences Between OxyContin vs. Percocet
The key difference between OxyContin vs. Percocet is that OxyContin is an extended-release single-ingredient drug, whereas Percocet is an immediate-release combination medication. Although both drugs contain oxycodone, there are several other differences between them you should be aware of.
On that note, let’s compare OxyContin vs. Percocet’s effectiveness, chemical composition, addictiveness, and cost.
OxyContin vs. Percocet Effectiveness
When it comes to OxyContin vs. Percocet’s effectiveness, it’s clear that both drugs are highly effective in relieving pain due to their shared opioid ingredient—oxycodone. That said, the efficacy of these medications may also vary from one patient to the next.
People suffering from acute pain may find Percocet more effective, as it starts to relieve pain within just 10–30 minutes following ingestion. Meanwhile, it may take an hour or two for OxyContin to exert analgesic effects due to its controlled-release formulation.
However, compared to OxyContin, Percocet has a shorter duration of action—it relieves pain for 4–6 hours. OxyContin, on the other hand, provides pain relief for around 12 hours. Since two doses of it can relieve pain for 24 hours, it is usually the preferred option for those who require around-the-clock relief from severe pain.
OxyContin vs. Percocet Chemical Composition
The difference between OxyContin vs. Percocet’s chemical composition is that the latter contains acetaminophen in addition to oxycodone. Moreover, OxyContin consists of extended-release oxycodone, while Percocet has immediate-release oxycodone in its composition.
In other words, Percocet is a short-acting drug, whereas OxyContin is long-acting and releases oxycodone into the system in two phases. The first phase lasts for four hours, followed by the second phase which lasts for another eight hours.
OxyContin vs. Percocet Addictiveness
There’s little difference between OxyContin vs. Percocet in terms of addictiveness since both drugs contain oxycodone, a highly addictive opioid. Therefore, both are treated as Schedule II controlled substances.
Although OxyContin is often prescribed for persistent pain, it’s important to note that using opioids for chronic pain is generally not advised due to the increased risk of dependence and addiction. Researchers from the University of New Mexico found that the rates of opioid addiction average between 8% and 12% among patients suffering from chronic pain.
OxyContin vs. Percocet Cost
The cost of OxyContin and Percocet largely depends on your prescription strength. Generally, the stronger the prescription strength, the higher the price. Moreover, brand-name medications are far more expensive than generic ones.
Depending on the strength, a single tablet of OxyContin may cost anywhere between $5.71 and $32.57, whereas generic extended-release oxycodone costs around $2.66–$23.91 per tablet.
Meanwhile, the price of one Percocet tablet may range between $20.09 and $39.63. However, generic acetaminophen/oxycodone may cost as little as $0.18.
Next, let’s discuss OxyContin vs. Percocet side effect profiles.
OxyContin vs. Percocet Side Effects
Since OxyContin and Percocet share oxycodone as their active opioid ingredient, they tend to cause similar side effects. These include:
- Fatigue
- Sweating
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Headaches
- Drowsiness
- Constipation
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
Moreover, both OxyContin and Percocet may cause severe side effects requiring immediate medical care, such as:
- Seizures
- Allergies
- Trouble urinating
- Difficulty breathing
- Changes in blood pressure
Since Percocet contains acetaminophen, it is more likely to cause liver damage than OxyContin, especially when abused or taken for an extended time.
Inform your doctor about any side effects you experience after taking OxyContin or Percocet, including those not listed above.
OxyContin and Percocet Drug Interactions
Common OxyContin and Percocet drug interactions include:
- Benzodiazepines (Valium®, Xanax®, etc.)
- Other opioids like morphine and hydrocodone
- Antibiotics, such as clarithromycin and erythromycin
- Antihistamines, such as doxylamine or promethazine
- Antifungal medications, such as itraconazole and ketoconazole
- Antipsychotics, such as butyrophenones, phenothiazines, or thioxanthenes
- Seizure medications, such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, and primidone
- Antidepressants, including tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Taking OxyContin or Percocet with any of these drugs increases the risk of potentially life-threatening adverse events, such as severe side effects and opioid overdose.
Moreover, drinking alcohol while taking opioid medication is extremely dangerous and may lead to an overdose, which can be fatal if not treated promptly. Mixing Percocet and alcohol also significantly increases the risk of liver injury.
Combining Percocet with other drugs that contain acetaminophen may also lead to acetaminophen toxicity, which can be asymptomatic in rare cases—but it doesn’t make it any less dangerous.
Ultimately, do not take either OxyContin or Percocet with any drugs, medications, or supplements your doctor hasn’t approved of.
Other Risk Factors of OxyContin and Percocet
Some risk factors of OxyContin and Percocet that may increase the risk of adverse effects include:
- Constipation
- Liver disease
- Opioid allergy
- Kidney disease
- Seizure disorder
- Respiratory problems
- Acetaminophen allergy
- Urinary system disease
- Substance use disorders (SUD), including alcohol use disorder (AUD)
Furthermore, opioid use during pregnancy may lead to neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), miscarriage, stillbirth, birth defects, and other adverse effects. If you are planning a baby while taking OxyContin or Percocet, consult with your doctor to increase your chances of conceiving and having a healthy pregnancy.
Physical Dependence and Addiction to Opioids
Anyone who takes OxyContin or Percocet for a prolonged time faces the risk of physical dependence and addiction to opioids. Since repeated exposure to opioids changes brain chemistry, even those who take their medication as directed can become dependent.
Although the terms “opioid dependence” and “opioid addiction” are often used interchangeably, they describe two distinct conditions. Opioid dependence refers to physical dependence on opioids, whereas opioid addiction is primarily psychological.
Simply put, someone dependent on OxyContin needs it to function normally, whereas people struggling with OxyContin addiction can no longer control their opioid use; they continue taking these medications despite strained relationships, financial problems, and other negative consequences.
Since untreated opioid dependence may lead to addiction, it is crucial to seek professional help as soon as you realize you may have a problem.
Signs and Symptoms of Opioid Dependence
The following signs may indicate that you or a loved one is struggling with opioid dependence:
- Tolerance. Over time, opioids cause the brain to stop producing endorphins and create more opioid receptors, leading to tolerance. People dependent on opioids eventually will keep increasing the amount of opioids they consume since their usual dosage can no longer produce the desired effect.
- Opioid withdrawal symptoms. Opioid-dependent people suffer from withdrawal symptoms—such as cravings, insomnia, and muscle aches—upon drug discontinuation. These symptoms may be extremely distressing, causing them to continue taking opioids, even when they no longer need them for medical reasons.
Luckily, opioid dependence can be treated, regardless of its severity and duration.
ANR Opioid Dependence Treatment
Accelerated Neuro-Regulation (ANR) is a safe, fast, and highly effective treatment developed by Dr. Andre Waismann that has revolutionized opioid dependence treatment. It has helped close to 25,000 people—and counting—conquer opioid dependence and regain control of their lives.
ANR differs from traditional opioid treatment programs because it addresses the neurochemical causes of opioid dependence by re-regulating the endorphin-receptor system.
In other words, the ANR treatment restores the brain to its pre-addiction state by repairing the opioid-induced chemical imbalance. Thanks to eradicating the root of opioid dependence, ANR enables you to forget about the fear of relapse. ANR patients no longer suffer from withdrawal symptoms, including cravings, after completing the treatment.
ANR outshines traditional OxyContin and Percocet addiction treatments in terms of not only effectiveness but also safety. The treatment is performed in an ICU setting of fully accredited hospitals with state-of-the-art equipment. In addition, the ANR team consists of anesthesiologists, critical care physicians, and other highly experienced medical professionals.
To learn more about ANR, contact us for a free consultation today!
Key Takeaways
When it comes to OxyContin vs. Percocet, one thing you should remember is that both of these drugs are highly addictive. Therefore, you should only resort to them if all other pain management options fail.
Now, let’s summarize what we’ve learned today:
- OxyContin and Percocet both contain oxycodone, but OxyContin is more commonly used for severe chronic pain due to its controlled-release formulation.
- Both OxyContin and Percocet are highly effective in relieving pain but may lead to abuse, dependence, and addiction, even when taken as prescribed.
- ANR is an innovative opioid dependence treatment that can help you overcome OxyContin or Percocet dependence by restoring normal brain function.
OxyContin vs. Percocet FAQ
OxyContin is not stronger than oxycodone; they are equally potent. The main difference between oxycodone vs. OxyContin lies in their formulation: oxycodone is an immediate-release opioid, whereas OxyContin is a brand-name drug containing extended-release oxycodone.
Percocet is not the same as oxycodone. Percocet is a combination drug containing oxycodone and acetaminophen. In other words, it is an oxycodone product. Oxycodone can be prescribed as a single-entity or combination drug containing other active ingredients, such as aspirin (Percodan®).
Yes, OxyContin is still prescribed, usually for patients suffering from moderate-to-severe long-term pain. Due to its addictive properties, it should only be prescribed if non-opioid alternatives cannot be used or fail to provide sufficient pain relief.
Oxycodone and OxyContin should not be given at the same time in most cases due to the risk of opioid overdose, respiratory depression, and death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises against the simultaneous use of immediate- and extended-release opioids.
The main difference between acute and chronic pain is duration. Acute pain arises suddenly and usually resolves once its cause is treated. Meanwhile, chronic pain is persistent and lasts at least three months.
Prescription opioids are used to treat acute pain, chronic pain, and active-phase cancer treatment pain, as well as assist in palliative care and end-of-life treatments. They should only be taken under the supervision of a physician.
Additional Information:
How Long Does Percocet Stay in Your System?
