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Oxycodone vs. Methadone

Immediate-release oxycodone, also known by its brand names Roxicodone and Oxaydo, is an opioid. It's used to treat pain that isn't relieved by non-opioid pain medications. Immediate-release oxycodone is available as tablets, capsules, and a liquid that are taken by mouth. Your prescriber will work with you to find the dosage for your individual needs, but it's typically taken every 4 to 6 hours as needed for your pain. Common side effects include making you constipated, sleepy, and dizzy. Oxycodone is a controlled substance because it has a high risk of misuse and dependence.

• Pain that isn't relieved by non-opioid pain medications alone

• Nausea
• Constipation
• Vomiting
• Itching
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Sleepiness
• Trouble sleeping

• Potential for addiction and misuse
• Dangerously slow breathing (respiratory depression)
• Risk for opioid overdose
• Difficulty concentrating and extreme sleepiness
• Drug interactions
• Harm to newborn babies
• Physical dependence and withdrawal
• Low blood pressure
• Low adrenal hormone levels
• Seizures

Methadone is an opioid medication. It's used to treat adults with long-term pain that's not relieved by non-opioid pain medications. Methadone is also used with counseling and support programs for opioid use disorder (or opioid addiction). When it's used for opioid use disorder, it's first given at a methadone clinic under the supervision of a healthcare professional (HCP). Methadone is available as tablets, liquids, and dissolvable tablets that are taken by mouth. It's common to have side effects like lightheadedness, dizziness, and sleepiness.

• Long-term pain that isn't relieved by non-opioid pain medications alone - except for Methadose brand name and its generics)
• Treatment and maintenance of opioid use disorder (OUD) - all brand names and generics

• Lightheadedness
• Dizziness
• Sleepiness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sweating

• Potential for misuse and addiction
• Dangerously slow breathing (respiratory depression)
• Risk for opioid overdose
• Difficulty concentrating and extreme sleepiness
• Life-threatening heart rhythm problems (QT prolongation)
• Drug interactions
• Harm to newborn babies
• Serotonin syndrome
• Low blood pressure
• Low adrenal hormone levels
• Seizures
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• Withdrawal symptoms