Difference Between Oxycodone and Oxycontin
Oxycodone and OxyContin are synthesized opioids which are used as pain relievers. OxyContin is a brand name for oxycodone oral medication.
All the companies want to dominate the market and it is very difficult for them to share the market with any other new medicine once they have ruled it. This is why there is push for generic drugs in the market.
Oxycodone was developed by a German scientist from University of Frankfurt in 1916. This was made from thebaine after Bayer stopped the production of heroin because it was misused and dependence on the drug was increasing. It was expected to be as effective as morphine and heroin in terms of its analgesic effects and would not cause dependence on it but only partial success was achieved in this. Oxycodone did not effect immediately and its effects did not last longer. The medicine was introduced in US after clinical trials in 1939.
OxyContin was approved by US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in 1995 and was produced, developed and marketed by Purdue Pharma and it was in the market by 1996. It ruled that market as it was one of the best non-generic narcotic pain reliever that became popular in US. It was available in the dosages of 10, 20, 30 and 80 mg.
With time this drug became famous as hillbilly heroin and started getting misused especially in the rural areas. This was much cheaper than heroin and was easily available. Although Purdue Pharma claimed that it has lesser potential off being misused as recreational drug because of its lower euphoric affect but they could not back it with any scientific claim.
In 2010 OxyContin has been reformulated to reduce its misuse and it can only be sold through the companies with valid license. Watson Pharmaceuticals is exclusive distributor of the medicine in US. OxyContin is the brand name of the medicine in US and is distributed under the same name in Mexico and Canada. These are prescription drugs.
OxyContin is a drug that has oxycodone as the only ingredient while oxycodone is used in many other drugs.