Rehab Near Me: Oxycodone and Fentanyl: Are they the Same?

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_cta h2="Help Is Only A Phone Call Away" txt_align="center" shape="round" style="flat" color="vista-blue" el_width="sm" use_custom_fonts_h2="true" use_custom_fonts_h4="true"]Call Now 855-227-9535[/vc_cta] Opioids, opiates, and narcotics—those words tend to have a negative connotation because of the way they are used in law enforcement. They are almost synonymous to “illegal drugs” at this point, even though a lot of them are legal, available via prescription, and actually beneficial. And so it is important to talk about all the different narcotics: so that we understand them and become more aware of the dangers of misusing them. Hopefully, this will help people make better decisions when it comes to substances that are helpful but also potentially harmful. Today we will be talking about two opioids: oxycodone and Fentanyl. They have very striking similarities, but are they the same? Let’s take a closer look and see just how different these two drugs are.

Are Fentanyl and Oxycodone the Same?

The short answer is n Fentanyl_and_oxycodone

o: they are quite different. But the two drugs have similarities that make them comparable. For starters, both drugs are opioids. This means that they are either synthetic or semi-synthetic derivatives of the opium poppy plant. Oxycodone and Fentanyl are made in a laboratory, rather than occurring naturally like opiates. This also means that they make effective painkillers. These drugs are prescribed for the treatment of pain ranging from moderate to severe. But you may be more familiar with these drugs because of their reputation as highly addictive substances, which is true for the most part. Both oxycodone and Fentanyl have high abuse potential because of the way they operate. They attach to the brain and block incoming pain signals, but in the process they also make the user feel relaxed and euphoric. This is what makes them so habit-forming and addictive. People tend to abuse their medications—and that’s where the danger lies. When taken in larger doses, these drugs can cause unwanted side effects. It is possible to develop tolerance and dependence by continuously misusing these drugs. If your doctor prescribes one of these, be sure to take them exactly as prescribed. Do not take them more often than you are supposed to. Oxycodone and Fentanyl have similar chemical makeup. So structurally speaking, they are indeed the same. Now let’s talk about their differences.

What Is Oxycodone?

Oxycodone is a prescription drug that’s given to patients who are dealing with moderate to severe pain. There are dozens of different variations of the drug. Oxycodone also tends to build tolerance quickly, even if the person takes the right amount prescribed by their doctor. And so it is important to keep in touch with your doctor and report any side effects encountered while you are taking this drug.

What is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a very powerful opioid painkiller. It is said to be up to 100 times stronger and more potent than morphine. It is also a much stronger version of oxycodone. While oxycodone is fairly potent, Fentanyl is one of the strongest opioids available. Even a tiny amount can lead to an overdose in people who are not opioid resistant. Because of this, Fentanyl is more strictly controlled. It is not intended for managing short-term pain. Doctors only prescribe this on certain cases because not everyone should be treated with this drug. It is better suited for treating chronic pain and severe pain, including cancer pain, post-surgical pain, etc. Long-term pain treatment is what Fentanyl is used for. It is more likely that a person will suffer from overdose by taking Fentanyl rather than oxycodone, although it is also possible with the latter. Abusing any narcotic will almost always lead to disastrous results, because of how addictive most of them could be. [maxbutton id="3" ]

The Importance of Addiction Treatment

We haven’t even listed down all the side effects and adverse health effects potentially caused by narcotic abuse. But opioids are considered depressants, and these drugs can slow down a person’s system to the point where they can barely breathe. Before this happens, you need to look for an addiction treatment center for a loved one who is addicted to opioids. Medical detox and behavioral therapy can go a long way in terms of treating this condition. Drug rehab is the first step towards addiction recovery. Get started today!