Help!! Is oxycodone too strong for my dad?

I have no idea if this is the MD's reasoning, but both hydrocodone and oxycodone are semisynthetic opioids. But each is synthesized from a different source. Oxycodone is synthesized from thebaine, and hydrocodone is synthesized from codeine.

Personally, I have a poor reaction to codeine based products (I don't routinely take anything, but I've had dental extraction/implant work this year) and I've had better results from oxycodone. Itching isn't my issue, it's severe nausea. Perhaps the MD believes that your father may not react to the oxycodone.

Not to pester you with questions, but is the prescription provided "as needed"? My MIL is on hospice, with Ativan and hydrocodone prescribed as needed. And yes, they do ask every week if she needs a refill, but I don't feel like they are pushing it. Would that relieve any anxiety on you if you felt it wasn't pill pushing? Or is hospice saying he needs this on a regular schedule?

Thank you for sharing details - your care and concern is evident!

@rebeccacp..they switch because they said hydrocondone causes him to itch.. Both are opioid pain medicine so what difference would it makes. They always ask if I give him anxiety pill or if I need more pain medicine. He's not in a very excruciating pain (at least that's what he told me. I just don't want to push pain medicine on him all the time and it seems that's what all hospice do

Oxycodone is stronger than hydrocodone, but whether it's too strong depends on how much hydrocodone he was taking versus what the hospice MD would like to switch him to. Perhaps the dosage he'd like to prescribe ends up being the equivalent to the hydrocodone. Since I'm not in a medical profession, the only thing I can come up with is to look at the strength of each medication.

Have you asked your question to the hospice MD or the hospice nurse? I'd like to think either one would answer your questions - is it too strong, will it hurt him, should I switch?