This drug is an opioid pain medication that helps provide relief from moderate to severe pain. The only discernable difference between these two variants is how fast and long they can act and stay active in the body. Below you can learn about the subtle difference between Oxycodone and Oxycontin.
Oxycodone is a potent pain reliever that starts working as soon as you consume it, and in only a few hours, its effects begin to diminish. This form of the drug helps people who experience extreme pain for a short period and require a fast-acting remedy.
OxycContin is the extended-release form of this drug, which means it works for a more extended period. Usually, this controlled-release formula is better suited for long-lasting pain for people who require strong medication for prolonged periods.
The effects of Oxycodone start to appear in roughly 20-30 minutes from the time you consume it. And it generally takes between 1-2 hours for the results to peak. In contrast, OxyContin effects take 3-4 hours to reach reak concentration.
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Effectiveness
Both the quick-release (Oxycodone) and extended-release (OxyContin) variants work similarly to relieve pain. The medication is a semi-synthetic opioid that binds to the mu-opioid receptors in the brain. It’s essential to remember that though both these drugs are effective against pain, they do not treat the underlying condition responsible for producing the uncomfortable effects.
When talking about Oxycodone vs. OxyContin’s effectiveness, it’s crucial to understand that both these medications are the same. They achieve their desired results by interfering with the brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. These drugs target neurotransmitters responsible for carrying pain signals from the body to the brain and block them from transmitting the messages. The disruption of the pain signal processing procedure tricks the brain into thinking that it does not receive any pain signals from the body. Therefore you stop to experience the pain for as long as these medicines remain active in your system.
Side Effects
Many people buy Oxycodone online and start using it without consulting a doctor about its side effects. Because it is an opioid medication, OxyContin and Oxycodone can cause severe adverse effects if not used with caution. People using these drugs can experience the following undesirable effects:
Common side effects
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Drowsiness
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Insomnia
- Itchiness
- Weakness
- Changes in mood and behavior
Serious side effects
- Unusual tiredness
- Trouble urinating
- Fainting
- Confusion
- Breathing problems
- Severe allergic reaction like rash, itching, hives, swelling of tongue, lips, or face
The common side effects usually are not severe enough to warrant a hospital visit. If more intense symptoms occur after taking these drugs, seeking immediate medical attention is the best option to avoid long term health damage or life-threatening consequences.
Interaction
Opioids pain relievers such as OxyContin and Oxycodone are potent medications that usually don’t play well with other drugs and substances like alcohol and marijuana. If you plan to buy OxyContin online or the immediate-release formula of this medicine, try not to use any other over-the-counter or prescription medications without taking a healthcare professional’s advice.
The following medications can interact with OxyContin and Oxycodone to produce undesired effects:
- Other pain-relieving medicines
- Mental disorder treatments like phenothiazines
- Tranquilizers and sleeping pills
- Musculoskeletal relaxants
- Antibiotics such as erythromycin
- Antiviral drugs like ketoconazole
- heart disease, seizure, and HIV medications
Which One To Use?
Try not to decide without the guidance of a healthcare professional when it is about Oxycodone vs OxyContin. A doctor will better help you manage the pain than you can do yourself. Also, using opioid medications without proper prescription can lead to severe health problems and cause a person to develop physical or mental dependence.
When you ask a doctor for advice, they consider all the relevant factors before tell you to use either OxyCotin or Oxycodone. They analyze the following things that help them decide which medicine will be best suited for your condition:
- your age
- type of pain you have
- for how long you are having pain
- the severity of the pain
- other medical conditions you have
- other medication that you use
Oxycontin/Oxycodone And Opioid Addiction
Many people buy Oxycodone online and use it for extended periods without consulting a healthcare professional. Over time, their body becomes tolerant of regular doses of this medicine, and they start consuming more and more to suppress their pain. This condition soon evolves into a full-blown opioid addiction.
People often chew, crush, and snort this drug to achieve an opioid “high” that makes them feel good. Because these medicines’ uncontrolled use can be life-threatening, the DEA defines it as a controlled substance under the Controlled Substance Act (Schedule II). So, whether you want Oxycodone or OxyContin, you have to get a doctor’s prescription first.
If you use these drugs for prolonged periods, try stopping their consumption if any of the following symptoms occur:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constricted pupils
- Itching
- Headaches
- Dry mouth
- Slowed breathing
- Drowsiness
- Sweating
Signs Of an Opioid Addiction
The first symptom of opioid addiction you can experience is your body’s increased tolerance to the drug, meaning you will need to consume more of the medication to achieve the desired results. Prolonged use is often the primary reason for the addiction, but you might also become dependent on this drug if you use it in more than the recommended quantity.
- Faking prescription
- Getting the medication from an unofficial source
- Stealing or getting tablets from friends or family
- Acquiring it from an illegal drug dealer
These are all the signs that point towards a clear case of opioid addiction via Oxycodone or OxyContin consumption. Opioid addiction can disrupt your life and make you vulnerable to different diseases (both mental and physical), and it can also be fatal. It is extremely crucial to importance to recognize the addictive behavior in the early stage and get proper treatment so you can prevent the situation from worsening.