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EXALGO vs WESTADONE

Independent side-by-side comparison.

Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated August 20, 2026·How we rate

Possible drug interaction. EXALGO and WESTADONE are different prescription medicines. Combining or switching between them can cause interactions — talk to a pharmacist or prescriber before making changes. This page is not medical advice.

exalgowestadone

Rating

70/100
68/100

Pharmacy pays

$0.57 /mL
$0.18 /mL

Type

RX
RX

Active ingredient

HYDROMORPHONE HYDROCHLORIDE
METHADONE HYDROCHLORIDE

Manufacturer

Specgx LLC
Sandoz

Dosage forms

Tablet, extended release
Tablet, effervescent

Drug class

Opioid Agonist
Opioid Agonist

Boxed warning

None
None

Half-life

about 2.3 hours (terminal elimination half-life after an intravenous dose); after an oral dose the label reports a mean T½ of about 2.6 hours for the 8 mg tablet and 2.8 hours for the oral liquid
about 8 to 59 hours (terminal/elimination half-life; a very wide range)

Treats

Cough, Postoperative Pain
Opioid-Related Disorders, Intractable Pain

Frequently asked questions

Which is better-rated, Exalgo or Westadone?

By our independent rating, Exalgo scores higher — 3.5 vs 3.4 out of 5 for Westadone. Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data.

Which is cheaper, Exalgo or Westadone?

Westadone costs pharmacies less to acquire — about $0.18 vs $0.57 per ml, per the CMS NADAC survey. That gap is in the pharmacy's cost of goods, not necessarily in what you pay: your price is set afterwards by your insurer and the pharmacy.

What is the difference between Exalgo and Westadone?

Exalgo contains Hydromorphone Hydrochloride, while Westadone contains Methadone Hydrochloride — they have different active ingredients.

Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data. This comparison is for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional before choosing or switching a medication.