Opioids Oxycodone and OxyContin in Australia

[Matty70]

Can someone tell me what the difference is between these two medication's. From what I can work out, is that the OxyContin is a slow release drug is this correct where the Oxycodone is a quick release drug but doesn't last as long as OxyContin. Is this right ?

Also does it contain the same ingredients ? In Australia, I am taking 5mg x 4 per day of Oxycodone (Endone) and want to try for the slow release, but I also want to know what the real difference will be.

I hope someone can help.

Thanks In advance

 

[Nurse Ratched]

OxyContin is slow release. You are correct. Contin ( Contin)uous ) release over 8 or 12 hours. Primary ingredient=oxycodone.

Oxycodone ( usually IR ( instant release ) last 4 to 6 hours as all the mgs are absorbed at once. Primary ingredient=oxycodone.

Exact same medicine. One just lasts longer as it is slowly released during the time it's in you. The Contin one is better I heard . Lasts longer.

You're welcome in advance

 

[Matty70]

OxyContin is slow release. You are correct. Contin ( Contin)uous ) release over 8 or 12 hours. Primary ingredient=oxycodone.

Oxycodone ( usually IR ( instant release ) last 4 to 6 hours as all the mgs are absorbed at once. Primary ingredient=oxycodone.

Exact same medicine. One just lasts longer as it is slowly released during the time it's in you. The Contin one is better I heard . Lasts longer.

You're welcome in advance

Thank you so much, for your assistance.

 

[Just a little pinprick]

OxyContin is slow release. You are correct. Contin ( Contin)uous ) release over 8 or 12 hours. Primary ingredient=oxycodone.

Oxycodone ( usually IR ( instant release ) last 4 to 6 hours as all the mgs are absorbed at once. Primary ingredient=oxycodone.

Exact same medicine. One just lasts longer as it is slowly released during the time it's in you. The Contin one is better I heard . Lasts longer.

You're welcome in advance

I think it’s important to mention that oxycodone comes two different ways , IR tablets which are small 3/16-1/4” round tablets or bigger Tylenol size which contain Tylenol/ oxycodone,,,,I like the smaller IR tablets much more because I like to IV my oxy,they’re also smokable I believe…

 

[Nas47]

Tylenol as i remember was apap/hydrocodone or vicodine.only in U.S..Percocets,Roxycodons...etc are with oxycodone.Neverbtried hydro,but it seems almost same strenght,than oxy

 

[n3ophy7e]

I think it’s important to mention that oxycodone comes two different ways , IR tablets which are small 3/16-1/4” round tablets or bigger Tylenol size which contain Tylenol/ oxycodone,,,,I like the smaller IR tablets much more because I like to IV my oxy,they’re also smokable I believe…

Here in Australia oxycodone is not available with paracetamol (i.e. acetaminophen, or Tylenol). It's only available as Endone or Oxynorm (the instant release forms), Oxycontin (slow release) and Targin (with naloxone).

 

[Man67]

Here in Australia oxycodone is not available with paracetamol (i.e. acetaminophen, or Tylenol). It's only available as Endone or Oxynorm (the instant release forms), Oxycontin (slow release) and Targin (with naloxone).

Since March 2023 I am literally punching myself in the temples. That's government solution for PTSD and tension headache. I used to take 10mg Endone p/d but apparently the law has changed. Paracetamol and ibuprofen are joke and I was just wandering what is GP allowed to prescribe? I would really appreciate any suggestion. Meanwhile I intend to complain but don't know where?

 

[Just a little pinprick]

Since March 2023 I am literally punching myself in the temples. That's government solution for PTSD and tension headache. I used to take 10mg Endone p/d but apparently the law has changed. Paracetamol and ibuprofen are joke and I was just wandering what is GP allowed to prescribe? I would really appreciate any suggestion. Meanwhile I intend to complain but don't know where?

Im in the states and my regular doctor isn’t allowed to prescribe anything stronger then tramadol but if you go to a pain clinic you can get standing scripts for oxy,morphine and any other stronger pain meds only after X-rays,cat scans , mri’s…

If your financially able too but if you take a flight to Cambodia you can get anything you want OTC and bring them back with you or better yet ship them home.

 

[Man67]

Im in the states and my regular doctor isn’t allowed to prescribe anything stronger then tramadol but if you go to a pain clinic you can get standing scripts for oxy,morphine and any other stronger pain meds only after X-rays,cat scans , mri’s…

If your financially able too but if you take a flight to Cambodia you can get anything you want OTC and bring them back with you or better yet ship them home.

Thanks for the advice. I am on the prison island formerly known as Australia. Unfortunately I can't afford to go overseas and even if I could that would be just a temporary solution.

 

[AlsoTapered]

Be very careful with oxycodone. Although the boxes all say that it lasts for 12 hours, it does NOT. People who take it for a long time essentially going through withdrawal twice a day which I imagine is why it lead to such problems in the US. I split my dose into 30,30,20 over 24 hours which also has the benefit of 'see-sawing' which means the body doesn't get so tolerant. Hard to do, but believe me, it works. I mean I have references in which it has been shown to work.

 

[Man67]

Be very careful with oxycodone. Although the boxes all say that it lasts for 12 hours, it does NOT. People who take it for a long time essentially going through withdrawal twice a day which I imagine is why it lead to such problems in the US. I split my dose into 30,30,20 over 24 hours which also has the benefit of 'see-sawing' which means the body doesn't get so tolerant. Hard to do, but believe me, it works. I mean I have references in which it has been shown to work.

On the box it says that Endone should be taken every 6 hours. From my personal experience it lasts maybe 3-4 hours top. I don't intend to take it on a regular basis as I don't have chronic pain. It's a tension headache that appears randomly. Sometimes 1-2 times a day and sometimes every other day. My PTSD is real (war veteran) but nobody cares anymore.

 

[AlsoTapered]

Wow - opioids are so unsuited for the treatment of headaches. Diazepam is likely to work better or even beta-blockers. Yes, it doesn't last long but the main issue is that it's analgesic activity doesn't match it's dependence liability. Likely paracetamol/hydrocodone would be just as useful.

Just know the risks. If you cannot physically function then OK, but the UK has a neat definition for when strong opioids are used 'in cases of unacceptable suffering' i.e. no mention of pain.

 

[Man67]

Wow - opioids are so unsuited for the treatment of headaches. Diazepam is likely to work better or even beta-blockers. Yes, it doesn't last long but the main issue is that it's analgesic activity doesn't match it's dependence liability. Likely paracetamol/hydrocodone would be just as useful.

Just know the risks. If you cannot physically function then OK, but the UK has a neat definition for when strong opioids are used 'in cases of unacceptable suffering' i.e. no mention of pain.

There are good days and bad days. The pain appears randomly and when it wakes me up at 3am and lasts for several hours l am done for that day. Can't drive a car, concentrate or do a simple everyday things. My point is, I don't need painkillers on a regular basis, just in the case of emergency. But in their opinion paracetamol treats everything!?

 

[AlsoTapered]

Not by any means, but oxycodone is good at treating visceral pain but that's because it's altering the perception of pain. So fair enough, if you have tried the various other options and THIS is their response, I would ask if it's appropriate because strong opioids are generally the very last option a doctor would choose.

Are you more productive if you take it? If so, that's fine, but be aware that it causes things like hyperalgesia that can make headaches worse over time.

I don't know where you are but here in the UK you would only get oxycodone if they had tried everything else and, as I said, it meets the criteria of 'unacceptable suffering'. Because opioids are bad in so many ways and they are sneaky.

I concluded that opioids don't take away pain, they just redistribute it. I'm also quite surprised because even codeine is supposed to work better than oxycodone for severe refractive migraines (for example).

 

[Man67]

Not by any means, but oxycodone is good at treating visceral pain but that's because it's altering the perception of pain. So fair enough, if you have tried the various other options and THIS is their response, I would ask if it's appropriate because strong opioids are generally the very last option a doctor would choose.

Are you more productive if you take it? If so, that's fine, but be aware that it causes things like hyperalgesia that can make headaches worse over time.

I don't know where you are but here in the UK you would only get oxycodone if they had tried everything else and, as I said, it meets the criteria of 'unacceptable suffering'. Because opioids are bad in so many ways and they are sneaky.

I concluded that opioids don't take away pain, they just redistribute it. I'm also quite surprised because even codeine is supposed to work better than oxycodone for severe refractive migraines (for example).

I am in Australia and yes I tried everything. From surgeries, acupuncture, botox treatment, morphine patches, antidepressants, sedatives .... The only thing that can get me out of bed is 10mg oxycodone as needed (not every day).

 

[AlsoTapered]

Sorry to hear that. I'm presuming ketamine isn't an option. But as I mentioned, codeine seems to help certain types out of all proportion to it's opioid activity. 10mg OC isn't too bad but it's best to use only when you absolutely must. I know people who got used to using it for ALL pain... then a bit for fun, just at weekends... and then found the had a problem.

I don't suppose Diconal is still used in Australia which is a shame because it has some NMDA activity and so can 'reach' pain some other opioids cannot.

 

[Man67]

Sorry to hear that. I'm presuming ketamine isn't an option. But as I mentioned, codeine seems to help certain types out of all proportion to it's opioid activity. 10mg OC isn't too bad but it's best to use only when you absolutely must. I know people who got used to using it for ALL pain... then a bit for fun, just at weekends... and then found the had a problem.

I don't suppose Diconal is still used in Australia which is a shame because it has some NMDA activity and so can 'reach' pain some other opioids cannot.

No mate, ketamine is not an option. Regarding codeine it's also out of question. I was taking it for years and at the end developed tolerance and rebound headache. I am also taking 150mg Endep (tricyclic antidepressant) which is supposed to work for pain as well but in my case it's just a sleeping pill. Thanks for your help but I am definitely screwed by the nanny state.
ps. Injecting rooms for the heroine addicts are all over the city.

 

[Man67]

No mate, ketamine is not an option. Regarding codeine it's also out of question. I was taking it for years and at the end developed tolerance and rebound headache. I am also taking 150mg Endep (tricyclic antidepressant) which is supposed to work for pain as well but in my case it's just a sleeping pill. Thanks for your help but I am definitely screwed by the nanny state.
ps. Injecting rooms for the heroine addicts are all over the city.

To finally conclude this thread. I was given 2 options. First one is to see (again) pain specialist and neurologist. Waiting time is a several months. I can't do that again. I am not a junky shopping for pills. l just want pain relief, that's all. My second option is to continue punching myself in the temples. I'm doing it while writing this post. All the best to everyone and thanks for trying to help. At least somebody gave a sh*t...

 

[Didgital]

Contin ( Contin)uous )

I always wondered what the contin stood for, thank you!