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HYDROMORPHONE HYDROCHLORIDE vs OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE

Independent side-by-side comparison.

Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated August 18, 2026·How we rate

Possible drug interaction. HYDROMORPHONE HYDROCHLORIDE and OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE 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.

hydromorphone hydrochlorideoxycodone hydrochloride

Rating

44/100
70/100

Pharmacy pays

$0.57 /mL
$0.08 /mL

Type

RX
RX

Active ingredient

HYDROMORPHONE HYDROCHLORIDE
OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE

Manufacturer

Hospira
Vistapharm LLC

Dosage forms

Suppository, Tablet
Solution, Tablet, Tablet, extended release

Drug class

Opioid Agonist
Opioid Agonist

Boxed warning

Boxed warning
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 3.5 to 4 hours

Treats

Cough, Postoperative Pain
Postoperative Pain

Frequently asked questions

Which is better-rated, Hydromorphone Hydrochloride or Oxycodone Hydrochloride?

By our independent rating, Oxycodone Hydrochloride scores higher — 3.5 vs 2.2 out of 5 for Hydromorphone Hydrochloride. Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data.

Which is cheaper, Hydromorphone Hydrochloride or Oxycodone Hydrochloride?

Oxycodone Hydrochloride costs pharmacies less to acquire — about $0.08 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 Hydromorphone Hydrochloride and Oxycodone Hydrochloride?

Hydromorphone Hydrochloride contains Hydromorphone Hydrochloride, while Oxycodone Hydrochloride contains Oxycodone 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.