OxyContin vs. Percocet: Is One More Addictive?

Why Are Oxycontin & Percocet Used?

OxyContin (oxycodone) is an opioid medication prescribed for the treatment of acute severe pain. It is used when other non-opioid pain relievers are ineffective.[1] 

OxyContin is not recommended for the treatment of long-term chronic pain, as it is well known to be habit-forming and addictive. It is only legally available through a doctor’s prescription, though it has also become a widely misused substance.

Percocet is a combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen in tablet form.[2] It is prescribed to relieve moderate to moderately severe pain that does not respond to pain relievers, like acetaminophen, alone. 

The combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen can effectively treat a range of symptoms, including aches and chills, and increase the effects of oxycodone. Acetaminophen also comes with added risks.[3]

How These Drugs Work

Opioids, like oxycodone, work by interfering with opioid receptors throughout the body. They bind to pain receptors and effectively reduce the sensation of pain. The excitability of neurons throughout the central nervous system is reduced, and the central nervous system is generally depressed.[4]

Percocet works the same as oxycodone does, with the additional functions offered by acetaminophen. Acetaminophen is both a pain reliever and a fever reducer. It works by cooling the body (reducing fever) and reducing the sensation of pain.[5]

Comparing Oxycontin vs. Percocet

OxyContin and Percocet are both prescription painkillers. Percocet is typically prescribed for moderate to moderately severe pain. OxyContin is typically prescribed for severe pain.

Percocet side effects include the following:[10]

• Lightheadedness
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Sedation
• Nausea
• Vomiting

OxyContin side effects include the following:[11]

• Constipation
• Nausea
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Vomiting
• Itching
• Headache
• Dry mouth
• Sweating

This chart compares Percocet vs. OxyContin:[4,5,7]

Key Differences Between the Two Drugs 

One of the key differences between OxyContin and Percocet is that Percocet also contains acetaminophen, which complicates potential health risks. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that prescription products containing acetaminophen should be limited to 325 mg per dosage unit and not taken more often than recommended to avoid severe liver damage.[3] 

Allergic reaction to acetaminophen, including swelling of the face, mouth, and throat, is an additional risk associated with taking Percocet rather than OxyContin.

Which Drug Is More Effective?

The effectiveness of each drug depends on the individual’s symptoms and response to the medications. OxyContin can effectively manage acute or chronic moderate to severe pain. 

While long-term use of opioids is not generally recommended, extended-release formulations can manage pain 24 hours per day. Researchers writing for the online journal StatPearls say that the oxycodone-morphine dose equivalent ratio is 1 to 1.5 for immediate release and 1 to 2 for extended release. In other words, you’d need 1.5 to 2 morphine doses to get the power of one oxycodone.[4]

If an individual is looking for additional pain relief from headaches or fevers, the acetaminophen in Percocet may be helpful. Since acetaminophen works on additional pathways throughout the body, it may provide additional pain relief than that offered by oxycodone alone.

Risk of Addiction With OxyContin & Percocet

Both OxyContin and Percocet are associated with a high risk of abuse and addiction. Among people 12 and older in 2021, 3.1% reported misusing prescription pain relievers.[12] In 2021, about 16,706 people died from an overdose involving prescription painkillers.[12]

Taking too many opioids at once increases the risk of an accidental overdose, which can be fatal. This is true whether Percocet or oxycodone is taken. High doses of either can result in a fatal overdose. This risk is further raised if either opioid is combined with other substances, such as alcohol or benzodiazepines.[7,8]

How to Take OxyContin & Percocet Safely

The best way to use OxyContin and Percocet safely is to follow your doctor’s advice. These prescription medications come with detailed instructions about how much to take, how to take the pills, and when to take them. Never stray from these instructions.

Percocet comes in multiple doses, including pills that have just 2.5 mg of oxycodone to those that have 10 mg of oxycodone. Most people take the medication every six hours or so for pain, as needed. Pills are designed to be swallowed, not snorted or injected.[10]

OxyContin also comes in multiple doses, including some that are designed to enter the body slowly. Some pills are taken every 12 hours, while others are used more frequently. All of the pills should be used orally, not snorted or injected.[11]

If you’re ever tempted to take larger doses than your doctor recommends, or you’re using oral medications in a way that isn’t intended, talk to your doctor. You may need help in an addiction treatment program.

Dangers Associated With Both Drugs

Taking too much of either OxyContin or Percocet can lead to life-threatening breathing problems.[1] 

OxyContin and Percocet should not be combined, with other opioid medications, or other types of drugs, or taken in higher doses than as prescribed by a doctor. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid taking opioids, as they can pass to the child and cause damage to the baby, such as low birth weight and neonatal abstinence syndrome.

In addition to the risks of opioids, Percocet can cause further damage due to acetaminophen. If high doses are taken, acetaminophen toxicity is possible in addition to the potential for opioid overdose.[9] 

For individuals with chronic pain or who are at risk of complications associated with taking opioids, alternative pain treatment options are available. Other less addictive medications and lifestyle changes, such as improving physical fitness and utilizing relaxation techniques, may be more appropriate and less risky forms of pain management. Talk to your doctor about the best path forward for you.

While using prescription painkillers as prescribed by a doctor is legal, abusing these drugs is not. The National Prime Prevention Council says possessing a controlled substance (like painkillers) is a criminal offense. Charges for possession can be tacked onto other charges, such as those involving speeding or driving under the influence.

If you’ve been misusing OxyContin, Percocet, or any opioids, it’s important to get help. Continued misuse greatly increases your likelihood of overdose, which can cause severe damage to the body and brain, and even be fatal. With comprehensive addiction treatment that includes medication and therapy, you can learn to manage your opioid use disorder and build the foundation of a better life in recovery.