We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Treatments

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is the Difference between Oxycodone and Fentanyl?

By S. Berger
Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 30,356
Share

Two of the most potent pain relievers that are prescribed to patients with moderate to severe pain are oxycodone and fentanyl. Both of these medications are members of the class of drugs known as opioid analgesics, meaning that they are painkillers derived from compounds found in the poppy plant, and work by activating brain cells that play a role in blocking pain-related signals in the central nervous system. Despite their similarities in function, oxycodone and fentanyl actually have several differences that make them appropriate for different medical conditions.

Perhaps the most important difference between the two medications is their half-life, or the length of time it takes to break down and remove half the substance from the body. Oxycodone has a half-life of around three to four hours, which means it can only control pain for a few hours before redosing is required, unless it is given in a time-release format. Fentanyl has a rapid half life of just a few minutes when given intravenously (IV), which is why this drug is popular as a surgical anesthetic. Shortly after the IV is removed, this medication no longer affects a patient, and it becomes safe to give post-operative pain relief. The half-life of this drug is longer when it is used through the mouth or through the skin, making it suitable for chronic pain relief as well.

Onset times differ for oxycodone and fentanyl, in addition to their half-lives. Usually, oxycodone is only administered orally, and it takes around an hour to absorb through the stomach into the blood. This means that it is usually best administered for chronic pain that occurs on a predictable basis. Fentanyl, when administered in the form of a lollipop or a lozenge, has an onset time of just a few minutes. The quickness of its onset means that this drug can be used to control acute pain that arises unexpectedly, as a patient can receive pain relief almost as quickly as it occurs.

The risks and side effects of oxycodone and fentanyl are similar, as they belong to the same class of drugs. Fentanyl tends to cause less sedation and has a lower chance of histamine release, a reaction similar to allergies that can cause itching. Oxycodone, on the other hand, may be more sedating, but less likely to cause respiratory depression, a drop in the rate of breathing that can be hazardous if this drug is taken in high doses.

Share
The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
By fBoyle — On Jul 14, 2013

@literally45-- I don't think that either one is necessarily better than the other, they're just more effective in different kinds of situation for different kinds of pain.

I think you had a bad experience simply because you quit the oxycodone more abruptly. Opiates can cause tolerance and withdrawal effects, so the dose has to be reduced slowly.

I personally prefer oxycodone too, but only because I don't like the patches, not because it's a better medication.

By literally45 — On Jul 13, 2013

I think oxycodone is a better pain reliever. I was on oxycodone and then my doctor switched me to fentanyl. I had a terrible experience switching over because the fentanyl did not work as well and I had so many withdrawal symptoms.

By fify — On Jul 12, 2013

I'm on fentanyl pain relief patches and I think they work great. It took a few days for my pain to go away completely, but I have been pain-free since. I changed the patch every two days.

I was actually shocked that fentanyl only has a half-life of a few minutes when used intravenously, but apparently, the patches are different. The drug gets released into the bloodstream more slowly with the patch, so it gives long-term relief.

Share
https://www.thehealthboard.com/what-is-the-difference-between-oxycodone-and-fentanyl.htm
Copy this link
The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.