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Oxycontin vs Oxycodone: What's the Difference?

  • Reviewed by: Dr. Carl Williams, Ph.D., LCADC
  • Modified:
  • Reading Time: 12 minutes
  • Reviewed by: Dr. Carl Williams, Ph.D., LCADC
  • Last Update:
  • Reading Time: 12 minutes

Understanding the crucial differences between OxyContin and Oxycodone can help you make informed decisions about pain management and recognize the risks associated with these opioid medications.

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African American man I red shirt at home holding bottle of pain killer oxycodone

Both OxyContin and oxycodone have pain-relieving properties. These are analgesics in the narcotics or opioids class.

An opioid is a drug taken from the opiate substance of the poppy plant. Some opioids are also made in labs as synthetic versions. The DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) has labeled most opioid drugs as Schedule II controlled substances. This is due to their high potential for addiction, even though they have important medical uses.

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Composition & Formulations of Oxycodone and OxyContin

What Is Oxycodone?

Oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance, is extracted from thebaine, a natural alkaloid derived from a poppy plant. The drug works by binding (attaching) to receptors in the brain to ease pain.

Receptors are protein structures that help receive and send signals in your body, including the brain and spinal cord. They come in two forms: extended-release tablets (ER) and immediate-release (IR) formulations. Doctors mainly prescribe it to treat moderate and severe pain.

What Is OxyContin?

OxyContine is oxycodone’s extended-release (ER) formulation. It is a brand name for the opioid oxycodone hydrochloride. Doctors usually prescribe this drug to help manage moderate and chronic pain. This pain can come from conditions like cancer, injuries, arthritis, bursitis, and neuralgia.

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Key Differences

What’s the Difference Between Oxycodone and Oxycontin?

Although both drugs have analgesic properties, the main difference is the mode of drug release. Oxycodone releases the medicine at once, resulting in instant relief. OxyContin slowly releases the medication to help with pain that can last for several hours. This offers long-lasting pain relief.

Active Ingredients

The phrase “active ingredients” describes substances in a drug that produce the intended impacts on the human body’s processes. An active ingredient is thus a component that allows the medicine to do its therapeutic work.

OxyContin

OxyContin is made up of not only oxycodone hydrochloride but also a matrix of hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers, as well as other additional components. This matrix is critical in controlling the long-term release of the medication to relieve pain.

Oxycodone

Immediate-release oxycodone contains only oxycodone hydrochloride as the active ingredient. The absence of other additives makes it readily capable of quick pain relief. However, it has a limited working span, lasting less time than OxyContin.

Time-Release Mechanism

OxyContin typically begins to act within an hour. It is a controlled-release oral form of oxycodone. This medication gives set doses at scheduled times. This way, it provides constant pain relief throughout the day.

Oxycodone is available in an immediate-release formulation, and it will take effect in about 10 to 30 minutes. The drug dissolves quickly, allowing the body to absorb it right away. This provides fast relief from side effects of oxycodone, like nausea and vomiting.

Approved Uses

Oxycodone

A doctor can prescribe opioid pain medication like Oxycodone to relieve pain. This pain may come from conditions such as cancer, surgery, chronic muscle problems, trauma, or arthritis. Consequently, it is approved for use in:

  • Postoperative analgesia to alleviate discomfort during the recovery phase.
  • Chronic pain problems such as cancer and neurological diseases.
  • Palliative treatment to alleviate pain for those with terminal disease.

It is important to note that this opioid painkiller is highly addictive and can be misused. This requires careful prescription management by doctors. The assessment of your pain level, medical history, and the risks and benefits of opioid treatment are taken into account when prescribing the drug.

OxyContin

OxyContin and oxycodone have similar uses. Thus, Oxycontin is also used in:

  • Chronic pain management.
  • Cancer-related pain.
  • Severe musculoskeletal pain.
  • Neuropathic pain.
  • Neuropathic pain.
  • Palliative care.
  • Ongoing pain conditions.

Abuse Potential

One significant difference between OxyContin and Oxycodone is the matters to do with abuse, dependence, as well as tolerance. All opioids can be very addictive. OxyContin is a long-lasting medication. This makes it easier to misuse and raises the risk of dependence.

This means that if you misuse it, likely for its euphoric effects, your body will have a high drug level. This increases the risk of dependence and tolerance.

Oxycodone has a lower risk of abuse than OxyContin. However, it is still very addictive. This is especially true when taken in large doses or used for a long time.

Side Effects

Like all opioid medications, OxyContin and oxycodone are not free from side effects and related risks. A licensed doctor who will take into account these and other factors before writing the prescription must be the one to prescribe both of these medications for you or a loved one.

OxyContin: Common Side Effects

Someone taking OxyContin may experience side effects such as:

  • Constipation.
  • Drowsiness.
  • Nausea.
  • Vomiting.
  • Dizziness.

Other complications include respiratory depression, although this is very fatal if not well monitored.

Oxycodone: Common Side Effects

Similarly, oxycodone can lead to side effects, including:

  • Constipation.
  • Drowsiness.
  • Nausea.
  • Vomiting.
  • Dry mouth.

It can still cause breathing problems. This is especially true with high doses or when used with other CNS depressants.

Dosage and Administration

The choice of an oxycodone dose must fit each patient’s needs. This includes considering pain severity and the patient’s medical history.

The dosage usually starts with small amounts that can be changed slowly. The regular IR forms are taken every four to six hours. In contrast, the ER forms are taken every twelve hours.

OxyContin comes in different doses. Common options include 10, 20, 40, and 80 milligram (mg) tablets. Each dose has a unique color and size. This makes it easy to identify the one you need.

The initials “OC” are printed on one side. The dose is clearly shown on the other side. This helps with identification.

Oxycodone is offered in several formulations, including:

  • Tablets.
  • Capsules.
  • Liquid OxyContin dosage regiments.

Your’ pain levels and medical history will inform the crafting of personalized dosing regimens for OxyContin, as is the case with other opioids. It is given every 12 hours. Do not give it at the same time as other opioids, sedatives, antianxiety drugs, or alcohol.

You should never crush, chew, or break OxyContin pills. This can lead to a fast release of the medicine. When this happens, it can greatly increase the chances of overdosing.

Availability and Cost

The cost of oxycodone and OxyContin can vary a lot. This depends on the dosage, like 10 mg, 30 mg, or 80 mg. It also depends on the brand or type prescribed.

Other factors include treatment plans and insurance coverage. Also, prices for these drugs can vary between pharmacies; therefore, please seek further details from their pharmacist.

Right now, oxycodone (OxyContin) costs between $12 and $80 per pill on the black market. This shows the big difference between getting it from doctors and its street value.

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Why OxyContin Carries a Higher Risk of Addiction

Which One Is More Addictive?

In sum, oxycontin has higher addiction and dependency-related risk compared with oxycodone.

Controlled-Release Mechanism: Oxycontin is programmed to release its main active ingredients in the form of oxycodone over twelve hours. When misused—as in the case of crushing or chewing the tablets—this yields a total dose of the substance all at once. This causes the effects to develop quickly, like feelings of euphoria. This greatly increases the risk of addiction and dependence.

Which One Is Stronger?

A typical question that patients and clinicians often ask is whether OxyContin has a higher potency than oxycodone. The strength of these substances depends on the context. From the perspective of its main active ingredient, OxyContin is not more potent than oxycodone. They are equal on a mg-to-mg basis.

The idea that OxyContin is stronger comes from its extended-release formula. This formula works for a longer time.

Nonetheless, oxycodone hydrochloride, the main active ingredient in both substances, has the same potency. The main difference is how fast the body absorbs this active ingredient.

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Health Risks of Misuse

What Are the Risks of Misusing Oxycontin and Oxycodone?

Oxycodone and OxyContin, like all opioids, are drugs associated with the risk of abuse, addiction, dependence, and overdose. When you crush, chew, or snort OxyContin tablets, the time-release feature is disrupted. This change lets oxycodone be released quickly. It raises many risks, including:

Addiction and Dependence

Individuals who abuse or have developed an addiction to oxycodone and OxyContin may exhibit a variety of symptoms, categorized as follows:

Behavioral Symptoms:

  • Taking oxycodone or OxyContin can be dangerous. This is especially true if you mix it with other drugs or drive a vehicle.
  • Continued use of these substances even with glaring negative consequences after use or adverse reactions from prior use.
  • Failed efforts to quit using Oxycodone or OxyContin.
  • Forging prescriptions or getting these drugs through other unlawful means.
  • Skipping school or not going to work more times than not.
  • Telling lies and keeping secrets when asked about how much of these drugs you used.
  • Stealing money or valuable things to swap for these substances.
  • Taking someone else’s prescription for these drugs.

Physical Symptoms:

  • Weight loss.
  • Itchiness.
  • Weak pulse.
  • Excessive yawning.
  • Slow, shallow, or labored breathing.
  • Impaired balance, coordination, and reflexes.
  • Dilated pupils.
  • Persistent drowsiness.
  • Reduced sensitivity to pain.

Cognitive Symptoms:

  • Poor judgment.
  • Impaired memory.
  • Challenges with spatial awareness.
  • Difficulty concentrating or maintaining focus.

Psychosocial Symptoms:

  • Increased anxiety.
  • Loss of interest in activities that you once found enjoyable.
  • Mood swings.
  • Unexplained anger or irritability.
  • Experiences of paranoia.
  • Panic attacks.

Overdose

Both Oxycodone and OxyContin may lead to an overdose because they both contain oxycodone hydrochloride as the primary active ingredient. Exceeding the authorized dosage of opioid analgesics may lead to overdose, resulting in respiratory depression and severe drowsiness, among other effects.

Respiratory Depression

Each of the OxyCodone and oxyContin can cause respiratory depression, where the breathing rate reduces to dangerous levels. This can progress to as far as leading to complete respiratory failure, thus being a significant danger to life.

Liver and Kidney Damage

Both of these medications mainly cause side effects in the liver and kidneys. These issues usually happen with long-term or excessive use. Neither drug is directly harmful to the kidneys. However, the risk of kidney and liver damage depends on a person’s overall health.

When taken as prescribed, oxycodone is processed by the liver. The risk of liver damage is low if you follow your doctor’s advice. However, the danger arises with increased overdose or chronic use, especially in those with preexisting liver disorders.

Oxycodone has little effect on the kidneys by itself. However, it can cause dehydration or make existing kidney problems worse.

Similar to other opioids, OxyContin is processed in the liver, which is a big issue while taking the medicine. Using it for a long time or in large doses could harm the liver. It should not be used with anything that can also damage the liver.

OxyContin’s extended-release feature means the medication stays in the body longer. This can cause it to build up more in people with kidney problems, leading to higher toxicity.

Interactions with Other Substances

OxyContin and oxycodone have boxed warning labels. These are the strongest warnings given by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These medications can cause serious side effects. They may lead to hospitalization or even death.

Potential Drug Interactions

Both OxyContin and oxycodone have a significant risk of interacting with certain other medications, including:

  • Alcohol: Drinking alcohol, even in small quantities, with OxyContin or oxycodone raises the risk of respiratory depression, a dangerous state of inadequate breathing.
  • Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants: CNS depressants can lower blood pressure when taken with oxycodone. This combination may cause extreme drowsiness, surgical issues, and central nervous system depression. In severe cases, it can lead to coma or even death.
  • Serotonergic Drugs: Other serotonergic drugs can also cause serotonin syndrome. It is a condition characterized by excessive serotonin levels in the body. 
  • Other Opioids: Concurrent use of oxycodone and other opioids can reduce oxycodone’s analgesic efficacy. It can also cause severe, even fatal withdrawal symptoms when you abruptly stop using.

Contraindications (When never to use Oxycodone and OxyContin)

Certain conditions contraindicate the use of OxyContin and oxycodone:

  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
  • Severe or acute bronchial asthma with exposure to an uncontrolled environment or if facilities for resuscitation are not available.
  • Previous or suspected abdominal crises, including the acute abdomen.
  • Severe allergic reaction to the main active constituent, oxycodone.

Crucial Administration Information

Completely swallow the OxyContin tablet. If the protective coating is damaged, OxyContin can be released quickly. This can happen if the tablet is crushed, chewed, or dissolved. A dangerous dose may be released in this way.

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Oxycodone and OxyContin Addiction Treatment at the Rolling Hills Recovery Center

As with any other drugs, both oxycodone and OxyContin require similar approaches to treating addiction. If you or someone you care about has a substance use problem, it is important to get help from a drug rehab center. These are health facilities that are built to cater to people with such substance issues as alcohol and drugs.

If you or someone you care about has developed a dependence on oxycodone or OxyContin, get in touch with us. At Rolling Hills Recovery Center, our team is ready to assess each person’s needs. We will create the best treatment program from the start. Your journey to recovery begins with a compassionate and supportive environment.

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Written By:

Geoffrey Andaria

Geoffrey Andaria mental health writer at rolling hills recovery center
Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Mental Health Writer

About Author:

Geoffrey Andaria is an experienced mental health content writer and editor. With a B.A. in English and Journalism, Geoffrey is highly educated in freelance articles and research. Having taken courses on social work, Geoffrey is adamant about providing valuable and educational information to individuals affected by mental health and the disease of addiction.

Medically Reviewed By:

Dr. Carl Williams Ph.D., LCADC

Carl Williams, medical content reviewer at rolling hills recovery center
Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Expert Contributor

About Reviewer:

Dr. Williams presently serves on the board of Directors for two non-profit service organizations. He holds a Master’s degree in Human Services from Lincoln University, Philadelphia, Pa, and a Ph.D. with a concentration in Clinical Psychology from Union Institute and University. In Cincinnati, Ohio. He is licensed to practice addictions counseling in both New Jersey and Connecticut and has a pending application as a practicing Psychologist in New Jersey.

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