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oxycontin

by Gary, Jan 16, 2000 12:00AM


Is there a difference between Oxycontin and Hydrocodone?

I have heard that they are the same, please clarify the difference.
Member Comments (3)

by dave, Jan 18, 2000 12:00AM
Oxycontin is a slow release oxycodone ( no tylenol or asprin)and has the same pain killer as percodan(strong and physically addictive).  

Hydrocodone is combined with tylenol and hence a potential liver problem and is also short acting 3-4 hours and considered slightly stronger than codiene.  

Oxycontin with its controlled release is said to last 12 hours, but does not release quickly and may not seem to handle pain flair ups.



Most people with acute pain would like to have some of both. They are both of the opiate family and can be addictive.

by Judy, Jan 24, 2000 12:00AM
I AM TRYING TO GET OFF OXYCONTIN, WHAT IS THE BEST WAY, I READ ABOUT JUST SLOWLY DECREASING AMOUNTS AND I READ OF A QUICK

2OR 3 DAY PROGRAM THAT HAD A VERY HIGH PRICE TAG.  I THINK IT IS AWFUL OF DRUG COMPANIES  TO NOT OFFER THIS QUICK DETOX TO THOSE THAT ARE HOOKED ON THEIR EXPENSIVE DRUGS, WE HAVE PAID BIG BUCKS TO THE COMPANY AND THEY NEED TO HELP US WHEN WE NEED OFF, I HAD MAJOR LUMBAR FUSION SURGERY AND AM GETTING BETTER, BUT GETTING OFF THE MEDICATION IS HORRIBLE,  ANY SUGGESTIONS?

by Mary, Feb 06, 2000 12:00AM
I shattered vertebrae in my mid-back (thorasic) and compressed those in my lumbar region in a bus accident last June.  I was given oxycontin by my MD and told NOT to abruptly stop taking them or I would be extremely ill from withdrawal symptoms.  After not healing well, I had a spinal fusion in October and while in the hospital, they cut my Oxycontin by 60% while trying another med.  I woke up in the middle of the first night on this reduced dosage in full opium withdrawal.  I have NEVER experienced anything so terrifying in my life and went almost 8 hours in this terrible state before getting any help (the night-nurse said, among other things, I was just too nervous - I should turn on my TV and try to distract myself; for those who've been through this, you can appreciate how ridiculous that was!).  



I have weaned myself off oxycontin over the last couple of months and am, as of this week, completely done taking it.  However, I continue to have withdrawal symptoms (the worst now for me is insomnia) and ongoing pain.  While I don't ever want to go back on it, I'm going to talk to my MD to get help sleeping because I'm getting so exhausted.



After this experience, I would advise anyone to think seriously before taking any addictive drug prescribed for them.  There may be circumstances where you decide it's necessary, but talk to your doctor in detail about whether or not it's addictive and if so, what can you expect when you try to go off it.  If you knew in advance how horrible this experience is, you might want to try something else.  I cannot stress enough how awful the detox process is; in full withdrawal in the hospital I truly wanted to die.  For those in my situation, I wish you the best.  And for those who have made it past all symptoms, thanks for your input - it really gives me hope at a difficult time.
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