Living with severe pain can feel like an endless struggle. Whether it is due to injury, cancer or arthritis, finding effective and sustainable relief is important. Doctors frequently use extended-release opioids to treat long-term pain conditions. Xtampza and OxyContin are two of the most well-known choices.
Both of these medications contain oxycodone, a strong opioid analgesic in powerful formulations. But, the active ingredient in these two drugs is the same, they differ slightly. They are not all the same in terms of absorption, consumption and misuse prevention. Knowing the distinctions between these medications can significantly affect the course of treatment, if you or a loved one is contemplating or currently using one.
Here in this blog post, We will go over the main distinctions between OxyContin and Xtampza as well as how they work, what they treat, how effective they are, safety measures, dosage recommendations and more. You can use this breakdown to make an informed choice, whether you are a patient, caregiver or medical professional.
Comparison Between Xtampza and OxyContin Medicines
According to medical research, both medications are opioid painkillers. Certain pain conditions are brought on by arthritis, injuries or surgeries. Below are a few ways that define these two medications differ from one another.
Definitions & Key Differences
Here is a detailed review of these two drugs.
Xtampza: This opioid medication is prescribed primarily to treat chronic and severe pain. These pain disorders need to be managed in a timely manner, and when other forms of treatment are insufficient. Oxycodone is present in this product which comes in a special abuse-deterrent package. It is designed to prevent abuse through crushing, chewing, snorting or injecting. It is FDA-approved drug which is developed by Collegium Pharmaceutical.
OxyContin: It is one of the most popular XR forms of oxycodone. Following its initial approval in the mid-1990s, this drug gained widespread prescriptions for the treatment of chronic pain. Purdue Pharma manufactures this drug which has a contentious past because of its involvement in the opioid crisis. But it continues to be an essential treatment for some types of chronic pain.
Mechanism of Action: How Xtampza and OxyContin Relieve Chronic Pain?
Both drugs contain oxycodone which is a complete opioid agonist that attaches itself to the brains and spinal cords mu-opioid receptors. This binding results in sedation, pain relief and a euphoric feeling by blocking the transmission of pain signals.
Xtampza
It makes use of Deter technology which encapsulates oxycodone in a capsule made of wax and fatty acids. The capsule formulations require food for continued absorption of the medicine and provide a prolonged release even if the medicine is tampered with.
OxyContin
Over a 12-hour period, the medications polymer matrix releases oxycodone gradually while maintaining steady plasma levels. Although, it is not quite as tamper-resistant as Xtampza it still has abuse-deterrent qualities.
Xtampza and OxyContin Dosage: Strengths, Frequency & Administration
These medications formulations aid in determining the drugs absorption and long-term effectiveness. Both drugs come in a variety of strengths to meet the needs of different people. The dosages of both drugs details are provided here.
Xtampza Dosage
- Xtampza is available in the capsule formulation. Among its many dosage strengths are 9 mg, 13.5 mg, 18 mg, 27 mg and 36 mg.
- Basically, the drug is administered twice a day or every twelve hours.
- It must be taken with food to make sure optimal absorption.
- Curiously, a moderately fat meal is advised the kind or amount of fat in the meal does not have to be constant.
- For older patients or those who have trouble swallowing, it can also be added to soft foods, like applesauce or administered through feeding tubes.
OxyContin Dosage
- The medicine’s oral tablet form is accessible in a number of dosage strengths. For instance, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 60, 80 mg and many more.
- It must be swallowed whole but it is also prescribed every 12 hours.
- If the tablet is crushed, chewed or broken, a potentially fatal dosage may be released simultaneously.
- OxyContin is taken without regard to meals, food may have a minor effect on absorption.
Medical Uses of Xtampza and OxyContin: What Conditions Do They Treat?
A prescription from a qualified healthcare professional is necessary for both medicines which are Schedule II controlled substances. These drugs has approval from US FDA for severe, chronic pain that non-opioid medications cannot treat. These are also recommended by doctors for musculoskeletal pain, cancer-related pain and following major surgeries. They are not intended to relieve pain temporarily.
Xtampza and OxyContin: Are They Equally Effective?
They both contain the same chemical compound, but their real-world capabilities differ in certain ways. According to studies, when taken at the right dosage Xtampza and OxyContin are equally effective for chronic pain. However, they are in different formulations the active ingredient in these two medicines is the same.
The dosage that is recommended determines their strength. Over a 12-hour period, both of these drugs deliver a steady blood levels of oxycodone. Individual responses however might differ. Some patients might find that one formulation helps them manage their pain better than the other. These are some variables that may affect this:
- The drug’s Absorption in Digestive System
- Presented Food
- Age and metabolism.
- Co-existing health concerns.
A doctor might advise trying a different medication if the first one provides insufficient relief or has negative side effects. negative consequences.
Side Effects of Xtampza and OxyContin: What to Expect?
Their side effects are comparable to those of other opioids, since OxyContin and Xtampza both contain the same active chemical compound. If you have any of these negative reactions, must consult with your physician about them. Here is a list of some of the frequent and dangerous side effects of these medicines.
- Constipation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Respiratory depression
- Severe allergic reactions
- Low blood pressure
- Adrenal insufficiency
- Dependency
- Withdrawal symptoms
- Overdose
Precautions
If you are prescribed these narcotic medicines, safety is the most important factor. The FDA has issued a boxed warning about addiction, abuse and respiratory depression for both drugs. Here are some key precautions that are important to follow during treatment with both the drugs.
- Avoid consumption of alcohol and other sedative medications as they can cause light-headedness and drowsiness.
- Never chew or crush these medicines, as this may worsen the patient’s health condition.
- It is important to store them safely to avoid misuse or theft because both drugs have potential side effects
- Since both medications are prescriptions do not abruptly stop taking them and always take them under a doctor’s supervision.
- Individuals with GI obstruction, respiratory depression or severe asthma should not take this medications.
- Since Xtampza and OxyContin are not milligram-equivalent and require careful dosage adjustment, you should only switch from OxyContin to Xtampza with a doctors advice.
Xtampza and Oxycontin: Which One is Better for You?
Both drugs carry opioid-related risks, but Xtampza is considered safer in terms of misuse and abuse potential due to its stronger abuse-deterrent formulation.
Xtampza may be a better choice for patients with a history of misuse and when they needing consistent blood levels. If you are able to adhere to food-based dosing, you can take this medicine. As of now, there is no generic version of Xtampza available, which can make it more expensive.
OxyContin might be more appropriate for patients requiring higher dose options and already stabilized on it. The drug is perfect choice in some situations where flexible administration is helpful.
Conclusion
Finding the medicinal drug that works best for you or your loved one is the main goal not comparing Xtampza and OxyContin. Both of these pain relievers can significantly raise the quality of life for people with chronic pain. However, there may be significant effects on safety and efficacy due to variations in their formulation abuse-deterrent qualities and administration.
Always get medical advice before taking or stopping an opioid drug. Your care plan should be customized to your particular needs and risks because there is never a one-size-fits-all approach to pain management.