My husband has been on Oxycodone for about a year and a half. (He's had both hips and both shoulders replaced along with some other surgeries). I don't like the effect these have on him and neither does he (he sleeps extremely heavy-can't wake up to an alarm clock, not nearly as much interest in sex or physical activities, etc.) He used to be on Lortab before the doctor switched him to Oxy. He wants to switch back to Lortab because they are cheaper and they don't have as much of the side effects. I am wondering if anyone else has made this switch. Will he have real bad withdrawal symptoms while weaning off the Oxy and gradually starting Lortab?
2007-03-21 03:27:56 · 0 answers · asked by aries316 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
No, he shouldn't. Oxycodone and hydrocodone are very similar, but oxycodone is somewhat stronger. If he's dosed correctly, withdrawal should not be an issue. Frankly, no weaning should be done at all, nor should hydrocodone be gradually started. He simply should be switched. That way he'll have both adequate pain control and no withdrawal. However, it's all up to the prescriber and his/her clinical experience. Unfortunately, many docs still under treat pain. If your husband experiences pain or withdrawal, tell the doctor.
I hope this helps.
Rick the Pharmacist
2007-03-21 03:45:33 · answer #1 · answered by Rickydotcom 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The main difference between these two medications is the duration. Oxycodone lasts much longer, the lortab (or hydrocodone) last about 4-6 hours.
Other than that, they are practically the same thing. So there wouldn't be any withdrawal issues switching from one to the other unless the dose was significantly different.
2007-03-21 06:11:12 · answer #2 · answered by Dib 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Switching should be fine and relatively safe.... personally I take Oxycontin 40's 3x day and let me tell you my quality of life has been 100% better. I hear horror stories and stuff about the meds I am on and yes some people are not too smart about taking them but..... taken correctly this medicine is unbelievable. YES...my body is dependent on the meds and if I miss a few doses I will feel really really sick but as far as addiction? I do not think I am addicted per say. Dependent YES...Addicted NO!!!
A couple months ago I called my DR on a Friday to pick up my re-fill and he happened to have a family emergency and was not in....noone covers for him either,he is alone in the practice and it was a Friday so I had to wait until Monday to call and then had to wait until the afternoon for re-fill to be ready.... let me say missing SAT/SUN and 75% of Monday was not fun...I was so sick. I learned my lesson so now when I get a new bottle filled I put my left overs aside (usually I got about 6 pills left) I know it is strange thing to do but I save them just incase that happens again cuz it was really bad going through withdrawls. If people on heroin go through that I have a new found respect for what they feel when they get clean. I know I will need rehab to get off these but I would rather chance rehab than go back to living withthe pain I used to have and not being able to live normal cuz I could not eat,talk,sleep or work for a very long time before I asked for help.
2007-03-22 08:54:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋