blog

Dilaudid vs Percocet | Key Differences in Opioid Pain Relief

Posted on by admin
Dilaudid vs Percocet | Key Differences in Opioid Pain Relief

Dilaudid vs Percocet . Nowadays, pain is a common problem for most Americans for different reasons that are emotional experiences. Although the reasons for the pain are the same, two people don’t feel the pain in the same way; people can experience mild or severe pain. Fortunately, to treat this pain, there are two powerful medications in the medical arsenal, namely Dilaudid and Percocet. Selecting the right drug for a neurological disorder can be difficult, as pain reduction is the end goal; they differ in some substances. Understanding the Dilaudid vs Percocet comparison is essential to make an informed decision to manage pain. However, before using these drugs, seeking medical advice is vital to make sure you are taking the appropriate medication as per your condition. Today, this article provides a comprehensive comparison of Percocet and Dilaudid, including their applications, mechanisms of action, available dosages, and more.

Brief Comparison Between Dilaudid and Percocet

Many medical studies reported that both Percocet and Dilaudid are clear-cut pain-management medications, especially used to manage mental and nerve-related conditions. But they have differences. Some of them are provided here.

Introduction to Dilaudid and Percocet

Dilaudid is an effective opioid analgesic mostly prescribed for moderate-to-severe pain that cann’t be controlled with non-opioid pain medication. It comes under the brand name hydromorphone and is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance. This drug is a prescription-only medicine, is available in different forms, including immediate-release oral solution, immediate-release tablet, suppository, and injection. Exalgo and Hydrostat IR are other brand names of hydromorphone. 

Percocet is a prescription opioid pain reliever that combines two active ingredients: Oxycodone, a powerful narcotic that alters the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain, and Acetaminophen, a non-opioid pain reliever that enhances the effects of oxycodone and helps reduce fever. It is available in numerous forms, including tablets, and is suggested by physicians to manage acute to severe pain.

Dilaudid and Percocet: Mechanism of Action

Dilaudid: Primarily, it binds strongly to mu-opioid receptors located in the brain and spinal cord. This binding inhibits ascending pain pathways, meaning it blocks the transmission of pain signals and alters pain perception in the central nervous system. It modifies the emotional and psychological response to pain, resulting in a reduced perception of discomfort. This drug also increases the pain threshold and can cause euphoria, sedation, and respiratory depression.

Percocet: It is a combination pain medication of oxycodone and acetaminophen. Oxycodone acts as a mu-opioid receptor agonist, similar to hydromorphone, to block pain signals in the central nervous system. This drug may also cause euphoria, sedation, and respiratory depression at higher doses. On the other hand, acetaminophen works peripherally, by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis in the brain (via COX inhibition), which enhances the pain-relieving effects. It increases the analgesic effect of oxycodone and works centrally in the brain to lower the pain threshold and reduce fever. 

Medical Uses of Both Drugs

Doctors may prescribe both medications for multiple purposes, including pain. These are discussed below.

Dilaudid Uses
  • Post-surgical pain
  • Injury-related pain
  • Cancer-related pain
  • Palliative care
  • Chronic pain
Percocet Uses
  • Moderate pain
  • Pain from injury
  • Dental pain
  • Post-operative pain
  • Chronic pain

Dosages, Strengths & Forms: Dilaudid vs Percocet

The doses may vary from person to person based on their age, weight, and response to the treatment. Hence, doctors tailor the dose depending on the patient’s pain level, tolerance, and medical history.

Dilaudid

It is available in different formulations, including tablets, oral liquids, and injectable solutions.

  • Oral tablets- 2 mg, 4 mg, 8 mg
  • Extended-release oral tablets- 8 mg, 12 mg, 16 mg, 32 mg
  • Oral liquid- 1 mg/ml
  • Injectable Solution- 1 mg/ml, 2 mg/ml, 4 mg/ml, 10 mg/ml
Percocet

The following are some of the strengths of Percocet. The acetaminophen contained in Percocet always remains at 325 mg to reduce liver damage.

Percocet vs Dilaudid Effectiveness

Both Percocet and Dilaudid are opioids used to manage moderate to severe pain, but they differ significantly in potency, speed of action, and use case. Understanding their effectiveness helps guide appropriate pain management.

  • Dilaudid is more effective than Percocet due to high-intensity, acute, or breakthrough pain, but also carries a higher risk of side effects and requires closer monitoring. It has been seen that hydromorphone is 5 to 8 times more potent than morphine and significantly stronger than Oxycodone (in Percocet). While calculating the onset time of action, Dilaudid works within 5 minutes, while oral forms work within 15-30 minutes, and Percocet takes 30-60 minutes to begin relieving pain. Hence, Dilaudid is mostly suitable for opioid-tolerant patients or those needing IV administration. 
  • Percocet is effective for routine moderate pain with less risk, making it a better option for most short-term pain scenarios. Due to its lower potency, this drug is not more effective than Dilaudid. It is reserved for more intense, refractory pain and is used in clinical settings where monitoring is possible.

Side Effects of Dilaudid and Percocet

Since both medications come under the drug class of Schedule II controlled substances, adverse effects are possible. Some mild to severe side effects are discussed below. 

Mild Side Effects of Both Medications
  • Drowsiness
  • Dizziness
  • Constipation
  • Nausea
  • Dry mouth
  • Sweating
  • Itching
  • Lighteadedness
Severe Side Effects of Both Medications
  • Extreme respiratory depression
  • Low blood pressure
  • Seizures
  • Dependency
  • Liver toxicity
  • Serotonin syndrome

Drug Interactions: What Medications Not to Take with Dilaudid or Percocet

Both drugs have multiple possible drug interactions. Without visiting a skilled health expert, these drugs should not be taken with other drugs because, after doing so, they enhance the risk of overdose and respiratory depression. The following drugs interact with both Percocet as well as Dilaudid. 

  • Alcohol
  • CNS depressants
  • Antibiotic
  • MAO Inhibitors
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Antipsychotics
  • Diphenhydramine
  • Antifungals
  • Anxiety medications
  • Blood pressure medications
  • Muscle relaxers
Safety Tips for Using Percocet and Dilaudid

An over-prescription of both medications can negatively impact the body. So, an individual should know the safety precautions when taking any drug properly. Vital safety measures include:

  • People should take these painkillers as per their doctor, and after taking them, secure the rest of the medicine in a safe place out of reach from children or pets.
  • If women are pregnant or breastfeeding, at that time they must tell their doctor. If anyone has other health problems like asthma, disease, etc., and uses the Percocet drug, they must inform their doctor about it; otherwise, they face life-threatening conditions.
  • Anyone who is experiencing an allergic reaction to any one of them should consult with a doctor. Do not take other interaction medicines with these two drugs without a doctor’s approval.
  • Without a doctor’s orders, don’t stop suddenly taking these medications, as it may lead to overdose. 

After reading this article, it is concluded that Percocet and Dilaudid both play a vital role in working well to get relief from pain. Although they are potent drugs, they may not be suitable for everyone to use. Dilaudid is more effective than Percocet and is mostly recommended for extreme pain, but there is a high chance of overdosing. On the other hand, Percocet is less effective and the best treatment for mild to moderate pain. Never use both drugs with other opioids, and always follow the instructions of a primary care provider to avoid adverse effects.

    

admin