is percocet stronger than hydrocodone - Pain Management Message Board

rachjanos · 01-21-2008, 07:06 AM

is percocet stronger than hydrocodone

painaway · 01-21-2008, 11:14 AM

Welcome Rach! Yes, Percocet (generic is oxycodone) is stronger than hydrocodone (generic for Vicodin, Lortab). Percocet is a Class 2 narcotic, and hydrocodone is a Class 3.

Executor · 01-22-2008, 12:15 PM

Depends.....Hydro comes in 5g, 7.5, and 10. For example, Loratab (5mg), Loratab plus (7.5), and then Loratab 10.

Percocet usually comes in 5mg. I would argue that a percocet is stronger than the first two Loratabs. However, the loratab 10 is pretty strong and I would consider it to be fairly equal to the perc.

The moral of this story is that you have to consider the STRENGTH of the med. For example, the lowest strength Oxycontin comes in 10mg, or equal to two percs. Because OC is time release over 12 hours, you only get .8 per hour. So really, it's not all that strong at all.

Hope this helps.

RetiredDirector · 01-22-2008, 04:22 PM

We need to clear up a few errors that have been posted, so that rachjanos has the accurate information.

Percocet (Oxycodone) is stronger than Hydrocodone (like Lortabs). Hydrocodone comes in 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 mg with various strengths of APAP. Oxycodone also comes in 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 mg with various strengths of APAP. Oxycodone also comes as Oxy IR (Roxicodone) which is pure Oxycodone (no APAP) in doses of 5, 15, and 30 mg.

One other point is Oxycontin, which is a long acting version of Oxycodone. It comes in 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg. It use to be made in 160 mg tabs also, but those were discontinued a few years ago. Oxycontin is released over a 12 hour period of time. Most people say it's only good for approximately 8 hours. Whatever the strength is, one half of the dose is released initially and the second half is released in about the 5-6 hour point. So the 10 mg Oxy would release 5 mg Oxycodone when taken and then about 5 or 6 hours later, another 5 mg would be released.

I hope this clears up some of the information that has been written that is not correct.

Executor · 01-22-2008, 07:25 PM

The original question was "is perocet stronger than Hydro"? That's a tough question. I would argue that it depends on the strength of the hydro...All is not created equal. I would argue that a Lortab 10 for example is about equal to a percocet. It's also important to note that each narcotic effects people differently. Some people can tolerate one over another. Hydro is a synthetic narcotic that generally has less side effects, mainly less hangover. However, everyone if different.

Only your Dr knows what is best depending on your condition and pain level.