Countless people around the world struggle with severe pain on a daily basis. This pain has the potential to stop a person in their tracks, requiring immediate attention or acting as an intense distraction. No matter the case, prescription pain medications have the potential to both change a person’s life and make it all crash down when misused. The more aware a person is of the differences and risks, the more equipped they are to avoid them altogether. Banyan’s Heartland treatment center is looking at the relationship between oxymorphone vs. oxycodone.
What Is Oxymorphone?
Oxymorphone, whose brand name is Opana, is a pain-relieving opioid that is used to relieve moderate to severe symptoms in users. They are available as extended-release tablets, immediate-release tablets, extended-release liquid solutions that are meant to be injected, and oral solutions. This drug is structurally similar to morphine, although it is nearly 10 times more potent. As an extended-release tablet, it is effective in managing pain around the clock and allows users to feel relief without having to consistently take pills.
How Is Oxycodone Different?
Oxycodone, also referred to as Roxicodone and OxyContin, is primarily available as an immediate-release tablet. That means the drug enters the bloodstream as soon as it is ingested, and an extended-release drug does the same but much more slowly. Someone using immediate-release oxycodone will typically have to take an additional dose every 4 to 6 hours to feel the same effects. This makes it far more likely for a person to abuse the drug, as well as to develop a tolerance. It makes the likelihood of suffering from addiction even more apparent, and anyone who fears they may be in such a situation should seek out Illinois addiction treatment for opioid abuse as soon as possible.
How Are They Similar?
Now that we understand the differences between oxymorphone vs. oxycodone, it is also worth considering how these substances are similar.
They share a number of side effects, including:
- Changes in one’s mood
- Constipation
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Itching
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Stomach aches
In the case of either drug, long-term use can result in addiction. There are many signals of addiction, including stealing to buy more of the drug, obtaining prescriptions from multiple doctors, and the presentation of withdrawal symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms of both drugs include:
- Body chills
- Diarrhea
- Heightened blood pressure
- Inability to sleep
- Irritable moods
- Sped-up heart rate
If you or someone you love is struggling through withdrawal from oxycodone or oxymorphone, our Heartland detox center offers programs that can help. Our opioid detox programs will ensure that each patient is safely guided through the withdrawal process in a comfortable and medically monitored environment.
Once detox has concluded, patients will have the ability to access a variety of effective therapy methods. From cognitive-behavioral to family-focused options and many more, all patients will have the chance to address what may contribute to their addiction and inform how they can overcome it.
To learn more about our care options, call the Banyan Heartland treatment center at 888-280-4763 today.
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