Are OxyContin and oxycodone the same? As far as ingredients go, yes; these two drugs contain the same active ingredient. In terms of drug effects and drug uses, surprisingly no.
OxyContin exists as a brand name formulation of oxycodone. According to the University of Maryland, oxycodone, a naturally derived opium plant alkaloid works as the sole active ingredient in OxyContin. At this point, the similarities between OxyContin and oxycodone start to diverge.
As a base ingredient, oxycodone can be used alongside a handful of non-opiate pain relievers, such as aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen. The combination of oxycodone with non-opiate agents produces yet another line of brand name drugs, some of which include Tylox, Percodan and Percocet.
Whether using OxyContin or oxycodone, the risk of abuse and addiction applies for both drugs, though they do differ in strength and overall addiction potential. Ultimately, the difference between Oxycontin and oxycodone lies in how each drug relieves pain symptoms and their overall intended effects.
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Oxycodone’s Base Effects
Like most every other opiate on the market, oxycodone essentially hijacks brain cell functions and interferes with nerve pain signal transmissions throughout the central nervous system (CNS). Oxycodone’s pain relieving effects result from the massive amounts of endorphin chemicals released throughout the brain and CNS. These same effects also account for the feelings of calm and euphoria experienced from taking the drug.
OxyContin is a brand name drug which contains oxycodone.
Along with acting as the brain’s chemical messaging system, endorphins are the body’s own natural “feel good” chemicals. Not only does oxycodone create its own “feel good” effect, but also kicks the body’s natural pain relief system into gear.
Oxycodone’s addictive properties take root within the brain’s reward pathway once the drug’s effects have all but reconfigured chemical process throughout the brain. Once a person becomes addicted to oxycodone, he or she remains at the mercy of the drug’s effects as brain cell functions continue to deteriorate with ongoing use.
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Drug Effect Differences
OxyContin and oxycodone differ most in the types of effects each drug produces. In general, oxycodone delivers relief from pain symptoms on a short-term basis. Oxycodone takes effect within 15 to 30 minutes and offers pain relief for up to four hours.
OxyContin is formulated to produce pain-relieving effects for an extended period of time. OxyContin’s chemical structure comes with a built-in time-release mechanism that triggers brain cell endorphin secretions on a continuous basis. Rather than four hours of pain relief, users can expect up to 12 hours of relief from pain.
Addiction Risks
When abusing oxycodone or OxyContin, users typically crush up the drug tablet and smoke, snort or inject the drug. Engaging in this form of drug abuse with oxycodone carries of high risk of addiction. With OxyContin, the addiction risk increases exponentially.
OxyContin’s built-in time-release mechanism becomes null and void when crushed up into powder form. In effect, users experience the full force of the drug all at once compared to oxycodone’s short-term pain relief effects.
Even in cases where users abuse either drug as-is, in tablet form, OxyContin still carries a higher risk of addiction due to the incredible strain the drug places on brain cell functions. Ultimately, any form of drug use that veers outside prescription guidelines places a person at considerable risk of ongoing abuse and eventual addiction.
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