Pain is a natural part of an individual’s life which is caused by a variety of illnesses. If the pain results from an injury, surgery, or a chronic condition, it can greatly impact the quality of life. Over the years, medical science has made many ways of treating pain from basic over-the-counter medicines to stronger prescription drugs. In a few situations, prescription opioids are frequently utilized where over-the-counter drugs are not enough to treat severe pain.
Percocet and hydrocodone are two of the opioid medicines that are most often suggested by doctors for the management of pain. Even though these powerful pain relievers work by changing the way of pain signals in the brain. They differ from each other in terms of their strength, composition, and possible effects.
Generally, Percocet is utilized to manage pain-related health concerns. But, there are possible risks associated with its use, such as addiction and side effects. Hydrocodone is a powerful painkiller that is a member of the opioid family. This drug is one of the most commonly recommended medicines in the United States and other countries.
Here in this blog, we will learn the comparison between Percocet and Hydrocodone drugs, their potential risks and how they function. This blog will provide you with some differences between these two opioid medicines that can help persons and healthcare specialists make informed decisions about pain treatment.
About Percocet and Hydrocodone Medicines
Here is an overview of both drugs.
Percocet
This is a prescription drug that combines two distinct painkillers, Oxycodone and Acetaminophen. Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic opioid that comes from thebaine, a source of the opium poppy. Acetaminophen is a non-opioid painkiller that lowers fever. It is a very effective medication for treating pain conditions because of the combination of these two compounds.
Hydrocodone
Researchers derive it from codeine, which itself comes from the opium poppy, making it a semi-synthetic opioid. It is available as a Schedule II controlled substance by the U.S. DEA because of its high risk of addiction and misuse.
Differences between Percocet and Hydrocodone Drug
According to medical research, both these medications are used to treat pain conditions. However, they have different ways to treat various types of pain.
Functions of Percocet vs Hydrocodone
The patient’s physical pain is addressed by both medications. Percocet and hydrocodone work on the CNS, specifically the mu-opioid receptors in the brain.
Percocet: Acetaminophen and oxycodone hydrochloride are the two generic medications found in this medicine. They are opioid painkillers. By attaching to the brain’s opioid receptors, they aid in blocking specific pain signals.
Hydrocodone: Hydrocodone decreases the severity of the pain signals. Additionally, it alters the brain’s reaction to pain which is frequently resulting in feelings of well-being and calm. Dopamine is released in response, reinforcing feelings of relaxation and pleasure.
Medical Uses of Percocet vs Hydrocodone
They consider these to treat pain that non-opioid medications, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, etc., are unable to control. However, they use them in slightly different scenarios:
Percocet: Percocet is only used for more severe pain or shorter treatment periods. Due to the drug’s addiction and other negative effects, doctors suggest short-term use of this medicine.
Hydrocodone: Hydrocodone is utilized for managing moderate to severe pain. There are many health conditions treated with this painkiller. For instance, post-operative, injury-related, cough suppression, and dental pain.
Dosage and Administration
These medications come in a number of formulations and dosage strengths. Some are listed below.
Percocet: It comes in tablet form and in a variety of strengths which are entirely dependent on the oxycodone to acetaminophen ratio. For this medication, the usual dosages are 2. 5/325 mg 5, 5/325 mg 7, 5/325 mg and 10, 5/325 mg.
Hydrocodone: There are many forms of this medicine, like tablets and capsules. It is available in several dosage strengths of 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100 and 120 mg.
Risk of Addiction and Dependence
These drugs contain opioids, so there is a significant chance that they will become addictive. However, Percocet has a stronger euphoric effect than hydrocodone, it is thought to be more habit-forming.
Interactions of Percocet vs Hydrocodone
Both painkillers can interact dangerously with other substances. For example,
- Alcohol
- Benzodiazepines suppression
- Antidepressants
- Other opioids
Adverse Effects of Both Medications
Both drugs have mild to serious side effects because of their opioid quality. But, there are some differences in how frequently these effects occur.
- Constipation
- Dry Mouth
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Stomach pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness
- Changes in heartbeat
- Hives
- Itching
- Swelling of the face, lips, and tongue
- Trouble breathing
- Throat problem
Percocet tends to cause more sedation and nausea. Hydrocodone may be better tolerated for prolonged use because it causes fewer gastrointestinal problems.
Which is effective for Pain?
- Percocet is very effective for short-term use and severe pain and hydrocodone has good efficacy for treating moderate pain and longer-term use. This is more strong than hydrocodone because it contains a more effective pain-alleviating nature.
- In comparison to Percocet, hydrocodone has a longer half-life which means that its effects might last longer. The decision between these drugs is totally based on the types of pain, tolerance to opioids, and history of chemical compound use in individuals.
Precautions of Percocet vs Hydrocodone
- Do not take these medicines at the same time because these may result in harmful effects, like trouble breathing and even death.
- These medicines should be taken exactly as per the doctor’s recommendation.
- Individuals should avoid consuming more than the suggested dose because both medicines can increase the chances of life-threatening effects.
- Like other drugs, these medications also cause some side effects. A few effects are acute and manageable, but severe effects require medical help on an immediate basis.
- Do not consume alcohol with these two drugs. As it can increase the sedative effects of both medicines and increase the risk of respiratory depression.
Conclusion
Percocet and Hydrocodone are medicines that help to treat different types of pain. Percocet has an oxycodone component as a generic which is stronger but comes with higher risks and side effects. Hydrocodone is more suitable for long-term use because it offers efficient pain relief with possibly fewer side effects, despite being somewhat less potent.
In this blog post, we have covered the comparison between both drugs and their side effects that will surely help you to make informed decisions about which medicine is effective for your health. Always consult with a doctor before taking any kind of drug.