Alternatives for Oxycodone
Available by prescription only, oxycodone is a narcotic of the opioid family indicated in the management of moderate to severe pain that is often post-operative or cancer-related in nature. Oxycodone is sometimes prescribed in combination with acetaminophen, and there are potent versions such as instant release tablets and controlled release pills designed for long-term pain control. Although oxycodone is a widely prescribed drug, it isn't the only option for managing debilitating pain.
Controlled-Release Alternatives
Controlled-release oxycodone, or OxyContin, is a widely used prescription drug for managing moderate to severe pain over the course of 8 to 12 hours. However, there are alternatives when it comes to powerful round-the-clock pain management. Extended-release morphine pills -- brand names MS-Contin and Kadian -- may be effective for some individuals. Morphine is considered by many in the medical community as the "strongest of pain relievers," according to Stanford University. Additionally, a medication called fentanyl -- brand name Duragesic -- is available in a transdermal patch that adheres to the skin, allowing the drug to slowly absorb and providing strong pain relief 3. Fentanyl is a very potent narcotic, reports MedlinePlus, and is generally only prescribed when a patient is unresponsive or tolerant to medications such as morphine and oxycodone 3.
- Controlled-release oxycodone, or OxyContin, is a widely used prescription drug for managing moderate to severe pain over the course of 8 to 12 hours.
Other Short-Term Narcotics
List of Opiate Prescriptions
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Morphine and hydromorphone -- Dilaudid -- are two powerful narcotic medications available in immediate-release pills for short-term or "breakthrough" pain -- that is, pain which extends through the effects of a primary, controlled release pain medication. Also, synthetic opioid drugs such as meperidine -- Demerol -- and propoxyphene -- Darvon -- may work better than oxycodone if a physician makes this determination, although their effectiveness is not as well-established as that of morphine and hydromorphone, reports Stanford University.
Combination Alternatives
Medications such as oxycodone with acetaminophen -- oxycodone/APAP, Percocet, Roxicet -- are often prescribed for post-operative pain or pain due to mild injuries such as broken bones. A viable alternative to this oxycodone mixture is hydrocodone combined with acetaminophen -- brand names Vicodin and Lortab. While hydrocodone is less potent as a narcotic than oxycodone, it is also an opioid drug which is available in a variety of potencies that can provide a similar level of pain management depending on the individual.
Non-Narcotic Alternatives
List of Long-Acting Pain Meds
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Often, minor pain -- such as that following a routine orthodontic procedure such as wisdom teeth removal -- can be managed with a non-narcotic medication. A physician can determine if a non-narcotic alternative to oxycodone will provide sufficient pain relief in a particular case. Examples of non-narcotic pain relievers are acetaminophen, aspirin and the anti-inflammatory drugs ibuprofen and naproxen. Although non-narcotic pain medications are not as potent as their opioid counterparts, they are not habit-forming -- a major benefit if an alternative for oxycodone needs to be taken for a long period of time.
- Often, minor pain -- such as that following a routine orthodontic procedure such as wisdom teeth removal -- can be managed with a non-narcotic medication.
- A physician can determine if a non-narcotic alternative to oxycodone will provide sufficient pain relief in a particular case.
Related Articles
References
- Johns Hopkins Point of Care Information Technology Center: Narcotic Analgesics
- Mayo Clinic: Morphine (Oral Route)
- MedlinePlus: Fentanyl Transdermal - MedlinePlus
- Elmhurst College: CNS Narcotics
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. Treating Prescription Drug Addiction.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. Research Report Series - Prescription Drugs: Abuse and Addiction.
- Abdel shaheed C, Maher CG, Williams KA, Day R, Mclachlan AJ. Efficacy, tolerability, and dose-dependent effects of opioid analgesics for low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Intern Med. 2016;176(7):958-68. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2016.1251
- U.S. National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus. Oxycodone. Revised October 15, 2019.
- Cepeda MS, Fife D, Ma Q, Ryan PB. Comparison of the risks of opioid abuse or dependence between tapentadol and oxycodone: results from a cohort study. J Pain. 2013;14(10):1227-41. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2013.05.010
- Darke S, Larney S, Farrell M. Yes, people can die from opiate withdrawal. Addiction. 2017;112(2):199-200. doi:10.1111/add.13512
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. Treating Prescription Drug Addiction.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. Research Report Series - Prescription Drugs: Abuse and Addiction.
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Writer Bio
A speech-language pathologist, Charlie Osborne has published articles related to his field. He was an associate editor and then editor for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Division 4 Perspectives in Fluency and Fluency Disorders. Osborne has a Master of Arts degree in communicative disorders from the University of Central Florida.