What exactly makes hydrocodone and oxycodone different?

[Orchid_Suspiria]

The two are very similar in effects to swim yet oxy has always been his favorite.What are the differences chemically?Why did they create both?How was one susposed to be better than the other?Why didn't they just make one and stick with it?

[Tortoise]

Who know. Why creat double chocolate icecream when we already have chocolate?

[HydroxyMethoxy]

Originally Posted by Tortoise

Who know. Why creat double chocolate icecream when we already have chocolate?

LMFAO

shit that's good. thanks for the laugh

[pixplzthx]

Well, the hydrocodone molecule (aka 4,5a-Epoxy-3-methoxy-17-methylmorphinan-6-one tartrate (1:1) hydrate (2:5)):



And the oxyocodone molecule (aka: 4, 5-epoxy-14-hydroxy-3- methoxy-17-methylmorphinan-6-one)


Let's start with the basics (I'm dropping the "cones" by the way). Hydro is on a schedule 3 substance and is always mixed with an NSAID (acetaminophen or hydrocodone). Oxy is a schedule 2 substance and can be found in time release formulas with no additional medications. Even when it is combined with NSAIDS, it is still a schedule two medicine.

So doctors dislike additional paper work (in the uS, anyway) and tend to shy away from oxy. Schedule 2 perscriptions cannot contain refills and cannot be called in to the pharmacy (once again this is a US perspective).

But here is a main difference between the two drugs:

[quote]
Unlike other 3-methoxy substituted opiates such as codeine and hydrocodone, oxycodone is active as soon as it enters the body, rather than having to be bioactivated by demethylation
[/url]

No waiting! Oxy does not need to be converted and will therefore generate pain relief once it enters the body.

Both medicines work by binding to the opiod receptors in the brain to block pain. To the best of my knowledge, I do not think any medical studies have been done to show which is any better at reliving pain. The "on the street" and "in the office" thought process is a about 1:1-1/2 (5 mg of oxy equals 7-1/2 mg of hydro).

So, that's what I know. Feel free to correct what is wrong.

[Tortoise]

Are you sure hydro requires demethylation?

[pixplzthx]

Am I sure? No.

But the "smart people" seem to say that it does. But it does make sense though. The kid around the corner says that he feels" Oxy" a lot faster than hydro.

[Tortoise]

Totally valid question though. Swim lives in Australia and hydrocodone simply does not exist here. Never has, possibly never will, yet pain is easily managed with other opiates ie codeine, morphine, oxy etc. I guess we don't really need them all...

[Orchid_Suspiria]

No one needs hydrocodone really it is simply useless and usually mixed with disgusting acetaminophen.Well it could probably be good for an opiate naive person but for swim it has no use.

[JaWill88]

oxy doesn't really get anyone higher than an equivelant dose of hydro. they really feel almost exactly the same. swim has done so much of both of them it is sickening. but swim does seem to go toward the oxy. maybe it does act quicker. other than that there is no difference. swim always wonders what the hell is up with these kids who pay mass $ for 80mg oxy and have 120mg ms contin laying around that they try and sell (for cheap) to support their oxy! this is the most retarded shit ever. morphine kills oxycodone any day of the week.

[jerbles]

swim would take 120mg MS over 80mg oxy any day.