Oxycodone vs Gabapentin for Pain: Which One Should You Take?

When it comes to managing pain, healthcare professionals often need to select the most appropriate solution based on a patient’s specific health condition and needs. Oxycodone and Gabapentin are two drugs of different classes, but they serve different purposes and work differently. While comparing Oxycodone vs Gabapentin, understand some key factors like their key differences, how both medications work, and how long they last in the body.

In this article, we will briefly discuss Oxycodone vs Gabapentin for pain, whether can you take Oxycodone and Gabapentin at the same time, and which is better, Gabapentin or Oxycodone. After reading this blog, if you have any queries, then consult your healthcare provider for your appropriate and effective treatment.

Understand Oxycodone and Gabapentin

Oxycodone and Gabapentin are two of the most commonly prescribed pain medications for the relief of moderate to severe pain. While both medications are sometimes used together, they have different mechanisms of action and severely distinct purposes in medical treatment.

What Is Oxycodone, and How Does It Work?

Oxycodone pill is a powerful opioid analgesic and comes under the brand names OxyContin, Percocet (combined with acetaminophen), and Roxicodone. It acts by binding to brain and spinal cord opioid receptors, reducing the perception of pain. Some doctors use this medication for post-surgical pain, injury-related pain, and chronic pain in cancer or terminal illness. Due to its potential for abuse, addiction, and overdose, it is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance and should be used strictly under medical supervision.

What Is Gabapentin, and What Is It Used For?

Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant drug that belongs to the class of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) analogs, and it is FDA-approved for the treatment of neuropathic pain, postherpetic neuralgia (shingles pain), diabetic neuropathy, fibromyalgia (off-label), and seizure disorders. It is usually sold under brand names like Neurontin, Gralise, or Horizont. It affects the nervous system by attaching to a particular subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels within the brain and spinal cord.

Key Differences Between Oxycodone and Gabapentin

Oxycodone and Gabapentin are two powerful medications used to manage pain, but they differ significantly in their class, mechanisms of action, and medical uses. Due to these differences, the choices between them depend on the type of pain being treated and the individual patient’s medical needs and medical history.
Some major differences are given below:

• Oxycodone is an opioid analgesic drug that is used to relieve severe to moderate pain. While Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant and pain medication for nerves, primarily employed in neuropathic pain and seizures, it is occasionally employed in the treatment of anxiety.
• According to the mechanism of action, Oxycodone binds to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord to block the pain signals. Whereas Gabapentin modulates the calcium channels in the nervous system, reducing abnormal pain signals.
• Oxycodone has a high potential for abuse, addiction, and dependence. Thus, it is a Schedule II controlled substance. Whereas Gabapentin has a lower abuse potential but can still be misused, especially when combined with other CNS depressants, it is controlled in some regions.
• Oxycodone acts quickly and is suited for immediate pain relief. Gabapentin takes a longer time to take effect and is often used for ongoing pain management.
• In oxycodone, sudden withdrawal can cause opioid withdrawal symptoms. Gabapentin must be tapered to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Oxycodone and Gabapentin Drug Interaction

When Gabapentin and Oxycodone are combined, they may enhance the risk of central nervous system (CNS) depression. The interaction can be risky for elderly persons, people with respiratory illnesses, or those on other sedative drugs, such as benzodiazepines and alcohol.

Drug interactions of Oxycodone:

• CNS Depressants (Benzodiazepines, Gabapentin and Pregabalin, Alcohol, Antipsychotics, and certain antidepressants)
• MAO Inhibitors (Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine, Isocarboxazid)
• Serotonergic Drugs (SSRIs, SNRIs, Tramadol, Linezolid)
• Anticholinergic Drugs (Diphenhydramine, Tricyclic antidepressants, Oxybutynin)

Common Drug Interactions With Gabapentin:

• CNS Depressants (Opioids, Benzodiazepines, Alcohol)
• Antacids (Maalox, Mylanta, Gaviscon)
• Opioids (Morphine, Oxycodone)
• Other seizure medications (Phenytoin, Carbamazepine, Valproic acid)

Always inform your healthcare provider of all medications you are taking, and never adjust doses or combine these drugs without medical advice.

Can Oxycodone and Gabapentin Be Taken Together?

Yes, in some cases, doctors prescribe both medications together, especially for those individuals facing both acute and nerve pain. However, combining these drugs may increase the risk of some serious side effects, such as

• Excessive drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Respiratory depression
• Drug interactions and overdose

Oxycodone and Gabapentin Side Effects

Oxycodone and Gabapentin, both medications, are used for pain relief, but they differ in their mechanism of action and also have different side effects. Both drugs can increase sedation when used together or mixed with alcohol or other CNS depressants.

Oxycodone Side Effects

Oxycodone has some common and serious side effects due to its high potential for abuse, addiction, and dependence.

Some common side effects are

• Drowsiness or sedation
• Nausea and vomiting
• Constipation
• Dry mouth
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Sweating

Some Serious side effects are

• Respiratory depression
• Low blood pressure
• Confusion or mental clouding
• Dependence and addiction
• Seizures
• Severe allergic reactions (e.g., rash, swelling, anaphylaxis)

Gabapentin Side Effects

Gabapentin has common and serious side effects because of its low potential for abuse. Due to these risks, it should always be taken under medical supervision.

Some common side effects are listed below:

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness or fatigue
• Weight gain
• Swelling in hands or feet (peripheral edema)
• Blurred or double vision
• Tremors
• Lack of coordination (ataxia)

Serious side effects are listed below:

• Mood changes (depression, anxiety)
• Severe allergic reactions
• Difficulty breathing (especially when combined with opioids)
• Withdrawal symptoms occur if stopped abruptly
• Increased seizure frequency

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can you take Gabapentin with Oxycodone?

Sometimes, Oxycodone and Gabapentin are prescribed for patients to face both acute pain (treated by Oxycodone) and nerve-related pain (treated by Gabapentin). This combination is highly effective in providing broader pain relief, like post-surgical pain, cancer pain, or neuropathic pain syndromes.

Is Oxycodone or Gabapentin stronger?

In terms of overall pain-relieving strength, Oxycodone is considered stronger, but the choice between them depends on the type and cause of pain being treated. The strength of both medications cannot be directly compared, as they are used to treat different types of pain and work differently.

Which is better, Gabapentin or Oxycodone?

Whether Gabapentin or Oxycodone is better depends on the type and cause of pain being treated. Gabapentin is better for nerve-related chronic pain, and Oxycodone is better for short-term, severe pain, but each should be used under medical supervision and the patient’s health condition.

Final Thoughts

Comparing Oxycodone vs Gabapentin, it is critical to recognize that these medications are for different purposes in pain management. Selecting the proper medication relies on the type and cause of pain, the underlying condition, your individual health history, and the duration of treatment required. Always consult your healthcare provider before taking this medication or mixing it with other medicines to ensure safety and efficacy.