Oxycodone (Percocet) alternatives: What can I take instead of oxycodone?

Compare oxycodone alternatives | NSAIDs | Tylenol | Muscle relaxants | Other opioids | Neurological medications | Natural alternatives | How to switch meds

Pain in any form is a condition that can affect many aspects of a person’s quality of life. This can include their mental health, physical functioning, and financial aspects of their life as well. Pain is a condition that can occur in any type of person, regardless of gender, race, or socioeconomic status. There are many types or categories of pain, and the responsible treatment of pain in the United States has been a nationwide effort in the aftermath of the opioid crisis of the late 2000’s.

There are three general types of pain: acute, subacute, and chronic. Guidelines for the appropriate treatment of each type of pain are tailored to the pain category. Acute pain is pain occurring in response to a stimulus. It is sudden in onset and short in duration. Acute pain is typically in response to an injury or trauma to the body, and it lasts for less than one month. Subacute pain, sometimes referred to as unresolved acute pain, lasts from one to three months, and if unresolved, can develop into chronic pain. 

Chronic pain is pain that lasts longer than three months. While it can be due to trauma or injury, it may also stem from a medical disease or condition, such as cancer pain. It can also be due to prolonged inflammation.

Pain management is complex and does not just include medication therapy with analgesics. It may also need to include physical therapy, behavioral therapy, and treatment of concurrent diseases such as depression. Opioids, like oxycodone, have existed as an effective option for quite some time, but the use of opioids, which are federally controlled substances, carries significant risk and potential for harm if not prescribed and monitored appropriately by your healthcare provider.

Oxycodone is a prescription opioid, specifically a schedule II narcotic, that is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe pain where other non-opioid therapies have not been adequate. It comes in immediate-release and extended-release oral solid formulations (tablets and capsules) as well as an oral solution. Oxycodone is considered to provide similar pain relief to that of morphine but with fewer side effects.

There are many reasons oxycodone may not be appropriate or the best choice for a particular patient. The most obvious would be if the person is suffering from mild to moderate pain for just a short period of time. Other pain treatment options would be more important. Patients who have an allergy to morphine or related opioid medications should not take oxycodone without expressed consent from the prescriber as there is a chance of cross sensitivity. Patients with a history of prescription or illicit drug abuse should not be prescribed oxycodone as it has a high potential for abuse and misuse. When oxycodone is prescribed, it should be done with the lowest dose possible and in small quantities in order to limit excessive amounts of the drug available for abuse by the patient or someone else.

What can I take in place of oxycodone?

There are a variety of analgesic options available to treat pain. For mild to moderate pain, topical anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Voltaren (diclofenac) gel actually have the best benefit-to-harm ratio. Other safe options include oral NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen, and acetaminophen. The type or source of the pain will also be key to determining what therapy choices a prescriber has. For lower back pain, a steroid or musculoskeletal relaxant would be appropriate to treat pain. For migraines, the drug class known as triptans offer significant pain relief. When pain is moderate to severe, it may require a combination of therapies. Opioids like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine may be safe to use short-term in the treatment of moderate to severe pain, but experts do not recommend and have not been able to prove benefit from long-term opioid treatment.

Below is a list of potentially appropriate alternatives to oxycodone. This is not meant to be medical advice. Your healthcare professional will decide what is right for you based on the type of pain you have, the source of your pain, and your medical history.

Other alternatives to oxycodone

• Percocet (oxycodone/ acetaminophen)
• Dilaudid (hydromorphone)
• MCContin (morphine sulfate extended-release)
• Tylenol #3 (Acetaminophen with codeine)
• Soma (carisoprodol)
• Celebrex (celecoxib)
• Imitrex (sumatriptan)

Top 5 oxycodone alternatives

The following are some of the most common alternatives to oxycodone.

1. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

• NSAIDs are safe, easily accessible pain relief medications for mild to moderate pain. They can be safely used for short-term therapy and can be combined with many other pain relief options when necessary. NSAIDs are available in oral and topical formulations and can be acquired via a prescription or purchased over the counter in some strengths. Oral NSAIDs should be taken with food to avoid stomach upset and irritation, and you should consult your doctor if you have been taking it over the counter for a few days but have not experienced adequate pain relief.
• Examples: Motrin or Advil (ibuprofen), Naprosyn or Aleve (naproxen), Voltaren (diclofenac)

2. Tylenol (acetaminophen)

• Tylenol is appropriate for some mild to moderate pain types, like that caused by osteoarthritis. It doesn’t cause stomach irritation like NSAIDs can, but it should not be taken by those with a history of liver disease or hepatitis. Tylenol is available over the counter and is also a component of prescription opioid combinations. If you are taking a combination drug that contains acetaminophen, do not take additional Tylenol over the counter.
• Example: Tylenol (acetaminophen)

3. Muscle relaxants

• Musculoskeletal pain, especially that in the lower back, may be relieved effectively by adding a muscle relaxant to the treatment regimen. This class of drugs slows the spasming of the muscles and the pain associated with that. Muscle relaxants can cause significant drowsiness and impairment, like opioids, and should not be used if you need to drive. If you are taking other drugs which cause drowsiness, this effect may be intensified.
• Examples: Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine), Robaxin (methocarbamol), Skelaxin (metaxalone), Soma (carisoprodol)

4. Other opioids 

• If you have moderate to severe pain, but do not find adequate pain relief with oxycodone, you may have better results by taking a different opioid pain medication. You should not take more than one opiate at a time. Opiates are controlled substances and have a high abuse potential. Your prescriber may perform additional checks into your medical history before prescribing an opiate to assess the risks specific to you. Opioid use can cause chronic constipation which carries its own health risks. Opiates can typically only be prescribed in very limited quantities.
• Examples: Oxycontin (oxycodone ER), Norco (hydrocodone/ acetaminophen), Dilaudid (hydromorphone), Roxanol (morphine)

5. Medications for neurological pain

• When pain is neurological in nature, there are more specific neurological drugs that may be the most effective at relieving your pain. Neurontin and Lyrica work by muting the nerve transmission which sends the pain signal to your brain. Cymbalta is an antidepressant medication that has been indicated for neurological and chronic pain as well. Lyrica is a controlled substance prescription medication and does carry a warning for abuse potential.
• Examples: Neurontin (gabapentin), Lyrica (pregabalin), Cymbalta (duloxetine)

Natural alternatives to oxycodone

There are a few methods of pain relief that are natural or don’t involve prescription pain medicine. Capsaicin has long been used and accepted in topical muscle pain preparations such as Capzasin-HP. It is derived from chili pepper and helps with muscle pain and relaxation. Turmeric is also a natural anti-inflammatory that many have used. Its anti-inflammatory properties are very helpful with joint pain. There are many CBD (cannabidiol) supplements that claim to help with pain relief as well.

Hot or cold compresses may also provide temporary pain relief. Heat tends to be best for musculoskeletal-related pain, while cold is helpful in inflammatory or nerve pain. Physical therapy, acupuncture, and exercise can actually help with pain control by building strength and support for key muscles and ligaments which support your overall physical well-being.

Kratom has recently become a hot topic in pain relief. While governing bodies are still deciding how to regulate it, it has been said to have “opiate like” properties and be effective for pain relief.

Endorphins and enkephalins are natural transmitters in your nervous system which have similar effects as opiates. Your body increases these substances in response to pleasurable experiences like exercise, massage, and sexual intercourse. It also produces them under pain and stress as a natural coping method.

How to switch to an oxycodone alternative

Only your medical professional can decide if an alternative to oxycodone is appropriate for you. This will depend on the pain type, pain intensity, and other therapies you may have already tried unsuccessfully. Sometimes surgery or other non-medication solutions are needed for effective pain relief. Effective pain management requires having an open and honest relationship with your healthcare provider. You have to effectively communicate your symptoms and the intensity of your pain utilizing pain scales and other methods your doctor may use. Do not attempt to obtain pain medication from any other source than your healthcare provider and pharmacy. Do not suddenly stop opioid use without your doctor’s guidance as the withdrawal symptoms may be severe.

If your concern is with price or insurance coverage, your insurance company or pharmacist can help answer questions about oxycodone or any alternatives you are considering. SingleCare provides excellent information on drug pricing and can help you ensure you are getting the lowest possible price on any prescription drug.